Building signs, parking lot markers, outdoor marketing products, and really any signage solution you put on the exterior of your facility, storefront, or office must be made of a durable outdoor sign material. To help our clients know their options for building signs and everything else, we have put together this guide.

Aluminum is the Most Popular Metal for Outdoor Use

Because it does not rust and is of no interest to insects, you see it used in parking lots as a signage solution. You also see it used as a fence sign around construction sites. But keep in mind that the material does have some flexibility, which makes it an iffy option for a double post and panel sign. For this setup, we recommend alumalite. Where the flexibility comes in handy, however, is in the shaping of channel letter bodies and lightbox cabinets.

Alumalite Combines Aluminum’s Durability with Foam Core Stability

When you enclose a foam core with two sheets of aluminum, you get an alumalite board. From a structural point of view, this material is ideally suited for a traditional post and panel display as some businesses are now using instead of a monument sign. It is fair to say that this material is an enhancement to aluminum’s already excellent qualities. Because of this setup, you might use alumalite for a board sign you would screw to a façade or hang from an arm perpendicular to a building’s wall. For portable menu boards and A-frame enhancements, contour cut the material into a niche-specific shape or a replica of your logo.

Outdoor-rated Foam is a Budget-friendly Solution for Dimensional Letters and Logo Displays

Because money is tight for most startups, an outdoor-rated foam product is a perfect selection for dimensional letter building signs that impress. Because we can cut the material to reach up to three inches in depth, which you can extend with a metal or acrylic laminate when desired, it is possible to create a striking set of building letters. When illuminated in just the right ways with a spotlight or two, you can make the shadow play work for you as well. High-density urethane (HDU) boards allow for the manufacture of sandblasted, routed, or carved building plaques. Skilled experts can make the product mimic the look of stone or wood, which endears the material to monument sign builders, too.

Acrylic Chic is an Ideal Look for Dimensional Letters or Lightbox Cabinet Fronts

When untreated, acrylic is a clear, transparent product. Our technicians can paint it or apply imprinted vinyl overlays to it for gradient color change presentations. Installed at varying depths on a panel, this product makes for excellent building signage. It easily incorporates with already existing sign solutions you present to the consumer on the exterior.

Questions? Discuss These and Other Durable Outdoor Sign Material Choices with an Expert

Contact our business sign specialists to learn more about the various material options you have. We help you decide on the material that is right for your brand message, display location, and budget. Call us today!