Awnings are building features that are decorative as well as functional. They provide shade and shelter from the rain for anyone standing in front of your storefront, and they can even keep sunlight from shining through your windows and driving up your AC costs. Another function of awnings relies on their decorative aspect: their ability to draw people to your business as signage. What better way to draw people to your business than to not be limited by the setting sun? Illuminated awning signs shine bright at all times of day or night and are a natural choice for many businesses. In this post, we’ll discuss the different materials you may consider for your lighted awning.
Types of Lighted Awnings
Typically, an awning or canopy is constructed using an aluminum frame covered by vinyl or acrylic unless it’s made of all metal. Vinyl and acrylic are very versatile. Because they are synthetic materials, they are available in any color imaginable, and adding logos, graphics, and other messages is simple. Vinyl is the top choice for an illuminated awning, but it’s possible to add backlights to any type of awning. Awning lights are usually fluorescent or LED.
Vinyl Awnings
The vinyl awning and canopy are perhaps the most common choices when businesses add coverings to their entrances or windows. Vinyl is waterproof and easy to clean because it is a non-porous material, which makes it resistant to mildew as well. It’s also translucent, which is why it is especially popular for illuminated awnings. If illumination is restricted by your local sign codes or your landlord, the brightness of an illuminated vinyl awning may not be permitted.
Acrylic Awnings
Acrylic awnings are made of a woven material. They are more durable than awnings made of natural fabrics, but unlike vinyl awnings, they are porous and as a result more difficult to clean than vinyl. There is, however, a time and place for the acrylic awning with added illumination. Acrylic is a more opaque material than vinyl, and this is a drawback if you want the brightest awning possible—but not if you’re restricted by sign regulation or just want a more muted look. The woven fabric look of acrylic is more traditional than the look of vinyl. Acrylic lighted awnings are often lit from the back using spotlights.
Aluminum Awnings
Metal awnings—meaning, those that are constructed entirely of metal rather than just a metal frame—don’t usually come to mind when discussing illuminated awning signs. Aluminum, like acrylic, is very opaque, and metal awnings are considered by some to be outdated. However, many business awnings backlight their illuminated awnings with spotlights.
Lighted awnings can help you drive traffic to your business
The right choice of material for your lighted awning sign depends on your business’s branding and how bright you want your illumination to be. Color is a powerful branding tool, and choosing something bold for your illuminated awning enables you to make your business memorable. The brightness factor isn’t always within your control. However, working with experts can help you determine the best solution for your space so you can add the perfect awning or canopy and start attracting new customers.
