Questions and answers · For your plant

How do you fix ventilated façade panels?

Short answer

On a ventilated façade, stone, ceramic or HPL panels can be fixed invisibly from the back: Ø12 mm holes are drilled in the panel (not through), self-locking KLEIN FIX inserts are pressed in, and the substructure brackets are screwed to them. The face of the panel stays clean, with no visible anchors.

The system was created precisely for façades — it was first used in 1988 on the Swiss Post building. Any panel can be removed anywhere on the façade, and at rest the insert puts no stress on the stone. KLEIN FIX is listed in the Italian standard UNI 11018.

What to look out for

  • Slab thickness and material — determine the insert version (number of crowns) and the hole depth.
  • Pull-out test — laboratory values are averages; before a project it is worth testing the specific material.
  • Bracket — flat and resting against the metal insert.
  • Sealing — a sealant or the KLEIN FIX SC version is used to close the hole hermetically.

Projects

Sainte-Trinité church in Geneva (pink granite), Bodio Center in Milan (HPL), Lamborghini headquarters in Bologna (ceramics), PTT building in Neuchâtel (granite), Indra in Lugano (Sardinian granite).

Recommended

Products for the job

StoneZone is the exclusive distributor of these brands in Poland. We can test every tool on your machine.

ITAFIX

KLEIN FIX

Self-locking stainless steel threaded insert: Ø12 mm hole, press in and full strength right away — no adhesive.

See product →
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can façade panels be removed?

Yes. Any panel fixed with KLEIN FIX can be removed anywhere on the façade without disturbing the neighbouring ones.

What force does an insert withstand in 20 mm granite?

In laboratory tests KF06/12/4N in 20 mm granite — on average approx. 475 kg of pull-out force. We recommend a test on the specific material.

Is the fixing visible from outside?

No. The insert sits in a hole in the back of the panel that does not go through — the face of the façade stays intact.

See also