When it comes to having outdoor signage made, you should be vigilant in selecting the right material. Going with the wrong material can lead to quick structural degradation of your sign. Inappropriate material for your outdoor sign may also pose visibility problems and be challenging to maintain. If you’re looking for truly effective and reliable signage, it all starts with being mindful of the material you go with. Below are some of the qualities to look for in an outdoor sign. Heavy Durability& Weight Going with a lightweight and flimsy outdoor sign with the hopes of long-term usage is just asking for trouble. A long-term sign should be durable and heavy enough in weight to withstand gusts of wind and other harsh elements. The sign material itself, along with the material of any supporting hardware, should be resilient. Concrete, stone, steel, treated hardwood, high-density urethane, or a thick polycarbonate or acrylic material are recommended for both optimal weight and durability for your exterior sign. Water Resistance Rain, snow, humidity, fog: if your outdoor sign doesn’t hold up in wet or moist weather conditions, then it isn’t for you. This is especially true for outdoor signs considered long-term or permanent installations, like monument signs. Water-resistant signage materials we love include PVC, high-density urethane, acrylic, aluminum or aluminum composite, and vinyl with UV-proof ink. You can count on these to get you through any wet or damp conditions. Fade Protection UV resistance is one of the most critical aspects of an outdoor sign. The quicker it fades, the less capable your outdoor sign will be of doing what it’s supposed to be doing. And the shorter its lifespan will be. While no signage material is perfect, there are many fade-resistant materials out there to consider for your outdoor sign. Enjoy the longevity of materials like UV-resistant grade acrylic, polycarbonate, UV-resistant-laminated vinyl, aluminum composite, or high-density urethane. Legible Printing You can have the sturdiest sign material in the world, but if it doesn’t print legibly and clearly, then its marketing tactic won’t be very effective. Not all sign materials print equally. Yet, legibility, vividness, and crispness are critical factors for outdoor signage. To ensure your outdoor sign can be seen from afar – let alone catch people’s eyes from the start – you’ll want to be meticulous about the material you select. We recommend going with vinyl, high-density urethane, aluminum composite, or acrylic for outdoor signage. Low Maintenance It’s fair to assume outdoor signage will need more care and maintenance than indoor signage. However, the material you select may require more upkeep than other materials, which is what you’d want to avoid. The goal isn’t to find a material without the need to be maintained at all. This simply doesn’t exist. Instead, the goal is to find a material without the need for constant upkeep. Because who, as a business owner, has extra time? Outdoor-friendly signage materials considered to be low maintenance include aluminum, PVC, vinyl, and high-density urethane. Curious to learn more about picking the right outdoor sign material? Contact Georgetown Sign today.