When you’re thinking about getting outdoor signage for your business, it’s important to understand form over function. In other words, you don’t want to compromise quality and durability for looks alone. 

After all, a good looking sign won’t do you any favors if it damages easily, especially in a short amount of time. That’s why it’s important to choose an outdoor sign based on the most solid materials.

Choosing Outdoor Signage

Put simply, your outdoor signage material can make or break the impression your storefront makes on passersby. Ideally, you want an attractive sign that represents your business. More importantly, you want a sign that can withstand the elements and time.

So, when customizing your outdoor signage and the materials it’ll be made out of, you’ll want to take into consider the following:

• UV exposure
• Regular weather
• Inclement weather and severe weather systems
• Accidental damage
• Overall lifespan

Depending on where your business is located, your options material-wise may or may not be limited. Regardless, you’ll find that the following materials hold up best against the odds while remaining attractive to customers.

Best Outdoor Signage Materials

There are a lot of materials out there that work perfectly for outdoor signage. However, not all of them hold up as well against the elements, such as certain wooden materials which wear down with harsh weather.

For most outdoor locations, the following materials will remain intact and live a nice, long life:

Aluminum

Aluminum is a solid and ideal material for signs that are required to hold up outdoors for years to come. The metal is waterproof and able to withstand heat, hail, rain, freezing temperatures, and more. That’s why it’s used for parking lot signs, mile markers, site access signs, road signs, and so on. 

What’s more, aluminum is a sustainable option since it’s a highly recyclable material. It’s also very lightweight and cost-effective. 

Acrylics (Plexiglass)

Acrylic is a type of plastic that essentially mimics glass and it comes in many varieties, often referred to as plexiglass. This material offers a beautiful aesthetic appeal with its glossy finish and at a reasonably low price, which is why acrylic is such a popular choice.

Additionally, when color is added these signs really pop — which is mostly due to the fact that these types of signs are able to better absorb and reflect natural light as they’re semi-translucent. The best thing about acrylic signs is that they allow you to have a “glass” sign without the risks associated with real glass.

DIBOND

DIBOND is actually an aluminum composite material. At its core, its solid polyethylene, which is sandwiched between two pieces of thinly guaged aluminum. DIBOND makes for a more lightweight yet durable and rigid material with a long life. 

It’s also waterproof and can be printed on both sides, which offers more customization that allows your outdoor signage to be seen from virtually any angle.

PVC Board

PVC board is another terrific material for outdoor signage — especially if you’re looking for durability against bad weather. While PVC is lightweight, it’s a bit heavier than some of the other options. However, it remains inexpensive, rigid, weather-resistant, and can be printed on both sides.

Thanks to its durability, PVC board is super easy to reuse, although it can be difficult to repair if something major happens. Fortunately, it’s one of the cheapest options out there which means you can replace it with ease down the road if needed.

Hire a Custom Sign Manufacturer

When it comes to the above materials, you can rest assured that you’ll get plenty of life from your outdoor signage without having to sacrifice the aesthetics. 

If you need further help with your custom signage, we have everything you need. We offer a wide range of material options as well as installation and restoration services and more. Fill out our form today so our team can assist you with your first or next business sign.

See the best materials for indoor signage.