When you are designing a business sign, you obviously need to consider the materials of which it will be made. There are so many choices out there, and each one might be the one that fits your vision. However, there is one little problem here, and that problem is the weather. Most business signs are placed outdoors and there is no doubt that the outdoor signs are the most important. These are the initial points of contact which bring people through the door. If you want them to hold up for a long time, you want them to be made of durable material. Still, no one wants to throw beauty and aesthetics out the window, either. With all this in mind, we ask the question: What are the best materials for outdoor signs?
1. Aluminum And Aluminum Composite Materials
Aluminum is an obvious choice here, and there are multiple things that make it a good one. First of all, being made of metal, these signs are a lot more durable than any plastic will ever be. Although it requires a lot of refining, aluminum is one of the most abundant materials on earth. As such, it tends to be cheaper than most other metals. Steel might be cheaper, but it will eventually rust and corrode. Aluminum has no such problem. Without any doubt, aluminum is the cheapest of the non-corroding metals.
There are many aluminum composite materials on the market as well. These will usually make use of an outer shell made of pure aluminum. The inside may be hollow, or it might be filled with some kind of plastic, foam, and/or polymer. Dibond and Aluminite are two well-known examples of aluminum composite materials. Most of these tend to be very good, offering the durability and shine of aluminum with less weight and a cheaper price tag. When it comes to longevity, aluminum and its composites seem to be the best.
2. Acrylic And Plexiglass Signs
Acrylics are a type of plastic that can be used much like glass. This is why many people refer to them as “plexiglass.” There are many varieties, but all of these materials offer exceptional visual appeal at a pretty low price. When pigment is added, these signs have a distinctive way of making colors stand out. It is almost like the effect of the stained-glass window. Speaking of which, acrylic signs can make better use of natural light due to their semi-translucent nature.
Obviously, when it comes to the front of a lighted cabinet sign, acrylics are the material of choice. In many cases, acrylics are used to mimic the classy appearance of smooth, polished glass. Obviously, making your business sign from actual glass would be a stupid idea. Acrylics give you that same crystal-clear appearance without nearly the same risk of breakage.
3. Treated Wooden Signs
Normal wood is not suitable for the making of an outdoor sign. It might do well in the short term, but it will rot before long. The repeated cost of replacing such a sign would not be worth incurring. However, you can still potentially use wood as a signage material. It simply needs to be well-treated against the ravages of the elements.
Treated wood is obviously more expensive, but it’s well worth its extra cost. Even if you buy “treated” lumber, you will still want to coat it with polyurethane. These relatively simple poly coatings can be brushed onto the surfaces of the sign or sprayed for a more even coating. Even then, you should not use wood for the load-bearing members to prevent the danger of a potential collapse.
Another good option is to use treated wood in combination with other materials. For instance, you could make the bulk of the sign from aluminum and then add a wooden facade in the front. For businesses that want to go with a more “rustic” look, nothing can match real wood. It could be as simple as a series of logs, cut in half and stacked vertically. Your business name, logo, and other information could then be engraved into the wood.
4. Vinyl Signs
Vinyl is a very popular signage material, and this mostly comes down to its low cost. Vinyl is the most inexpensive material on our list, making it a great choice for disposable signs. For instance, those little election-year signs are often made of vinyl. Signs that are made to advertise specific events might also be disposable. This material isn’t a high-quality choice, but it is a very cost-efficient one. Besides, many signs don’t need to last for years, anyway.
There are many different kinds of vinyl, and not all of them are disposable. When this material is made sufficiently thick and strong, it can have a much longer service life. Thus, you cannot necessarily take quality for granted when buying vinyl signage. In spite of its limitations, however, it really is the best choice for cheap short-term usage.
5. Coroplast Signs
The name of this material is short for “corrugated plastic.” When you look at this material from the side, you can see why. This stuff looks just like corrugated cardboard, except that it’s made of plastic. The hollowed-out construction allows it to be much lighter than a solid piece of plastic, and it’s also much cheaper to produce. Any printed image can be glued to the front, making a universal sign template. These signs are not normally used for primary business signs, but coroplast is a great choice for promotional signs.
Conclusion
Unlike some other local sign companies, Tupp Signs understands the importance of long-term durability. An outdoor sign needs to last as long as possible so that you, the customer, can always get your money’s worth. That’s why it is so important to choose the right material for such a sign. If you would like to learn more, feel free to call 302-322-1600 or visit our Delaware sign shop.