Building Signs – CNP Signs

Building signs, as they are typically referred to, are signs that are mounted to the face of the building and used to identify a place of business. They are typically placed over the entrance to the building or higher to provide better visibility. Additional signs are often placed in multiple locations on the building to enhance visibility from adjacent streets or parking areas. There are many types of building signs, but the majority fall into two categories: cabinet signs and individual letters. The most common signs are referred to as cabinet signs. These signs are generally rectangular or square in shape, and have a flat or formed plastic face. Commonly faces are decorated with translucent paint or vinyl but another option is to make the face from routed aluminum with “push thru” acrylic letters or symbols. Illumination is typically achieved with florescent bulbs for ease of maintenance, but neon and LED are used as additional lighting options. Non-illuminated signs can be constructed from any number of materials, including metal, plastic, wood, or high density foam, and are often illuminated with external flood lights.

Channel Letters

Channel letters are individual fabricated letters and logos mounted to a building or structure. They are very popular because they have a clean modern appearance and are often specifically required by landlords or cities. There are a number of different types of channel letters, which are used for different applications or effects.

Standard Face-Lit Channel Letters are the most common type of illuminated letters. These consist of an aluminum cabinet in the shape of the letter, with either neon or LED internal illumination and a plastic face. These letters are well suited to applications that require maximum visibility.

Halo (or Reverse) channel letters, while similar to standard channel letters, have an opaque face and clear back to reflect light on to the wall creating an outline, or halo effect. This creates a much more subtle lighting effect than a standard channel letter and is well suited for professional and interior applications, where the brightness of a standard letter is not needed or desired.

Face and Halo lit channel letters combines the characteristics of a standard channel letter with halo illumination. Both the face and back of the letter illuminate, creating an interesting effect suitable for a variety of applications, including entertainment and retail.

Channel letters can be mounted in a variety of ways. The standard method is to directly mount the letters flush to a wall or building, but they may also be mounted to stand off the wall in order to allow drainage behind the letter. In addition to mounting letters directly to the wall, another common application is to mount the letters to a raceway, which is then mounted to the wall. The raceway is typically painted to match the wall so as to be less noticeable. This method has a number of advantages, including reduced installation time in the field and fewer wall penetrations and therefore fewer holes to patch if the sign is removed in the future.

Neon Signs
Neon signs are available in a wide variety of colors that can be bent and formed into almost any shape. These shapes range from plain block letters to whimsical logos and designs. A licensed electrician is required to perform service to the sign, due to the higher voltages used. If properly installed and maintained, neon lighting is unrivalled in longevity and brilliance.

Flat Cut-out Letters
Non-illuminated individual letters can be made from a metal, plastic, wood, foam, or a variety of other materials. They are typically machine routed or water-jet cut and either flush-mounted or pin-mounted to a wall.

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