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Protecting Directional Signage from Environmental Conditions

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Over the years, directional signage that is exposed to environmental conditions and the human touch can become worn down, faded and in dire need of replacement. While nothing can stop the inevitable toll that time takes on any material, there are certain steps that we take to limit the effects that the environment and daily human interaction have on signs.

Protecting Directional Signage Against Tampering

Whether by the hands of a curious child or a vandal out to cause mischief, we find that building owners are always seeking new ways for designers and sign manufacturers to protect the investment they have placed in their signs from those who, either intentionally or not, can do them harm.

When it comes to protecting directional and wayfinding signs from human tampering, the best method is place tamper-proof locking mechanisms within the signs themselves. While these locks keep the sign itself secure, they do not take away from their interchangeability. Designers will still be able to customize their signs to fit their client’s specifications, and building owners will still be able to change out the information on the signs quickly and without any complications.

Signs we recommend: For a building’s interior, we recommend our Modular Signs System (MSS). These interchangeable signs are secured by a hidden, tamper-proof locking device that building owners can access when they need to change out the plates on the system.

For exterior wayfinding, we recommend our Octopus signs. These fingerpost directional systems are easily interchangeable and can be stacked on top of one another. They are secured with a tamper-proof bolt at the top of the post that can be removed when adding or removing signs becomes necessary.

Protecting Directional Signage Against the Elements

Wind, rain, snow and other extreme conditions can wear down signs over time, which is why sign manufacturers take these elements into consideration when designing and creating wayfinding signage.

Everything from the sign’s material to the finish and any protective cases plays into the life of a sign. Better materials and finishes as well as study cases will yield signs that last longer (and make for a better investment).

Signs we recommend: for protection against the weather, we recommend our Chameleon signs. Not only are these monolith directories highly secure, thanks to their protective case, they are well shielded from the effects of any type of weather. Designers can choose from a wide variety of finishes that include:

  • Various PMS (Pantone) Colors
  • Matthews Paint Colors
  • Metallic Coatings
  • VeroMetal
  • Many Other Materials

Smart Signs for Smart Investments

There’s no sense in purchasing a sign that will have to be replaced in a few years. When you work with Encompass Signs, we will make sure that your investment is well protected by the signs that we create. Our signs are well protected against human tampering as well as the elements. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create the ideal sign system for you or your design client. 

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A Gold Timex to Photopolymer ADA Signage!

Thanks for your service to industry for the last 25 years. Photopolymer signs have been the predominant choice of designers for tactile ADA signage for a quarter of a century. Thankfully, at the inception of ADA legislation in the late 80’s and early 90’s photopolymer signs provided a standard process and uniform look for ADA signage. 

Without photopolymer ADA signs, designers in the 90’s would have chosen sub-standard, ineffective and random sign designs for their building environments. 

Before Beanie Babies, the World Wide Web, and before anyone understood the importance of branding…. photopolymer signs made it easier to outfit a building with ADA signs.  Even after the Japanese tsunami forced core prices to double, photopolymer signs remained the only good choice for designers. Thankfully, new technology has finally evolved. 

Thermoformed ADA signs give designers the creative latitude and durability that designers need to meet their client’s branding needs, at an appealing price point.  It’s no surprise that according to Dodge Analytics, “Thermoformed ADA signs” saw an increase of 237% in Specifications in 2016. Thermoformed signs are now universally acknowledged in Specs as an “approved equal” to photopolymer signs and that’s a big win for ADA thermoforming manufacturers. Those who really know about the differences between photopolymer ADA signs and thermoformed ADA signs are knocking clients off their feet with new ideas never available until now.

Photopolymer signs are still plenty viable.  There are over 3,000 sign-makers that still maintain their relationship with the two surviving raw material photopolymer providers. Machinery needed to produce these signs still exists and is almost free to get started; it’s the raw photopolymer material price increases to watch out for...  While Father Time and new technology may have caught up to photopolymers signs, their contribution and service to the industry over the last 25 years certainly must be treasured!   

To learn how to use this new thermoforming ADA technology and provide your design team a new design tool belt, durability and scalable branding offering, follow this link http://www.encompasssign.com/gallery/ or simply contact us 855-672-2201

Adam Halverson, Chief Strategist : adamh@encompasssign.com

About Encompass Sign Systems

Encompass Sign Systems specializes in thermoformed tactile signs and leading-edge directional and wayfinding systems. We provide designers and architects with highly scalable wholesale signage that have limitless branding capabilities and unsurpassed durability.