You may have seen the term “mounting style” on the internet. There is TV mounting, but did you know mechanical keyboards like Razer and Keychron keyboards need mounting too? Today, we will explore mounting styles in the world of keyboards.

What is a mounting style?

A mounting style is how the plate or PCB is secured in the keyboard housing. The keyboard enthusiast community has developed several ways to do this. We will learn about the different types of mounting styles next.

Types of mounting styles in mechanical keyboards 

There are 7 types of mounting styles that have been developed over the years. Different mounting styles affect the typing sounds of your keyboard.

Tray mount 

Tray mounted keyboards have screws that attach the PCB to the bottom housing of keyboards. Most entry level keyboards use this mounting style.

Top mount 

Top mounted keyboards secure the plate to the top housing of keyboards. This mounting style works with a range of plate materials which allows for further customization. However, this mounting style requires a custom mounting plate and is typically harder towards the edges and softer in the middle.

Bottom mount

Bottom mount is the opposite of top mount, meaning the plate is secured to the bottom housing instead of top housing of keyboards. This mounting style also requires a custom mounting plate just like the top mount. In terms of stiffness, this mounting style is more consistently stiff than top mount.

Sandwich mount

This mounting style is exactly like its name. The screws in this mounting style fully go through the bottom housing, plate and top housing of keyboards. This results in the plate getting sandwiched by the bottom housing and top housing. This mounting style allows for the removal of the top housing which would result in a low profile case. However, this mounting style tends to be stiffer than other styles.

Plateless mount

Also known as PCB mount, this mounting style uses the PCB as the attaching point rather than a mounting plate. The PCB can be screwed to either the top housing or bottom housing. This mounting style is more costly as it requires a custom PCB.

Integrated plate

In this style, the mounting plate is a part of the top housing. This means that the keyboard case only consists of two pieces. This makes it easier to manufacture and largely brings down the cost of keyboards. The integrated plate makes this mounting style very stiff. This mounting style is also the most common style as the majority of non-custom mechanical keyboards use integrated plates.

Gasket mount

 

The gasket structure has been gaining serious traction lately. This mounting style uses dampening material, often elastic, in between the plate and keyboard housing on both top and bottom sides. The dampener softens keyboard sounds and gives a cushioned feel since the plate is not directly in contact with the other metal components of the keyboard. This mounting style is more expensive though because custom plate and dampening material are needed.

 

Referring to the table, tray mounts are cost-effective but give a stiff typing experience. Top mounts on the other hand give a better typing feel but cost more. Bottom mounts are simplistic but are a lot less common. Sandwich mounts provide a balanced typing experience but require precise alignment to nail the plate between the top housing and bottom housing. Plateless mounts, also known as PCB mounts, provide an enhanced sound profile but are not suitable for all switch types. Integrated plates are extremely sturdy and durable but the downside is that they can be heavy. Gasket mounts have superior cushioning and sound-dampening compared to other mounting styles but are more costly. 

Gasket mount for gaming keyboards

Gasket mounted keyboards are quieter due to the dampening material in the keyboards. This makes them suitable for gamers as silent keystrokes mean fewer distractions and stealthier late night gaming sessions. Additionally, gasket mounted keyboards have moisture protection as the dampening material block fluids from entering the keyboards. This safeguards the keyboards and makes them longer-lasting. The moisture protection is useful for gamers as hand sweat is harder to get through the keyboard.

Is it worth getting a gasket-mounted keyboard?