There’s no better way to attract
attention to your business than a beautiful, brightly-coloured neon sign out
front. Neon is eye-catching, day or night, and it stands out against the
surrounding environment. A well-designed neon sign can brand your business and
become a neighbourhood icon.
The first neon lamp was introduced in
Paris in 1910. In the 1920s and 30s, they started to become popular in North
America, and by the 1950s, neon signs dotted the landscape. After the 1960s,
the use of neon began to wane somewhat, as styles changed. Today, however, we
are seeing a resurgence in the use of neon signage, as a new generation of neon
lighting is revolutionizing the industry.
Traditional
Neon vs. LED
Today’s LED technology is making neon
more attractive than ever as a choice for commercial enterprises. Everyone
loves neon signs, but traditional neon was somewhat unreliable. As a business
owner, you might find yourself with a partially-unlit sign. (A famous
restaurant in Toronto’s Beach area, for example became known as "The GOOF” when
several letters in its "GOOD FOOD” sign burned out!) LED technology is far more
longer-lasting than traditional neon. An average LED neon bulb will last from
50,000 to 100,000 hours, which is three to six years longer than old-school
neon. In addition, because LEDs don’t depend on gas for illumination, they will
not dim or fade as they age.
LEDs are very low maintenance, durable,
and simple to install. Choose a product designed to be weatherproof for the
Canadian climate, and chances are your sign will operate trouble-free for
decades. If a segment of LED lighting does have a problem, it can be easily
replaced.
LED is good for the bottom line, too.
Typical LED signs use far less energy than traditional neon signs. (It’s
estimated they use 80 - 90% less energy.) This means that your costs for using
your sign will be much lower.
This
energy-efficiency also means that your environmental footprint will be much
smaller. After a long life, your LED neon can
be cleanly recycled, since unlike traditional neon bulbs, it doesn’t contain
any toxic gases.
More
Exciting Design Possibilities
There are also many design advantages
with LED neon. The technology is strikingly clear and bright, meaning that the
sign is more visible and more easily readable than traditional neon. Because
LEDs don’t have tubes, the segments can be much thinner, opening up new
possibilities for designers. It also means that they can create smaller designs
for indoor spaces. Because LEDs don’t give off heat in the same way as traditional
neon, indoor signs won’t drive up air-conditioning costs.
And a great advantage of LED neon is
that it is dynamic. Designers can incorporate movement of all types. Because
the lights are in segments, various parts can light up at different times. Signs
can flash, change colour, light up in different places at different times, and
even incorporate animation.
Traditional commercial neon lighting is
quickly turning into a thing of the past. Discover the many advantages of LED
neon signage for your business. Contact an LED specialist today!