What Is A Monument Sign?
Good monument signs are aesthetically pleasing installations which can become landmarks for commuters as well as communicate brand information for companies. In Canada, we find them at the entrances to golf courses, community centers, and new housing subdivisions. McDonald’s own Golden Arches, while originally conceived as an architectural design feature on their restaurants, was soon deployed at street entrances where it has since become the world’s most successful monument sign. Government institutions use monument signs too and place them where they can be seen from the road, but also where they’ll raise staff moral and communicate a sense of identity. A monument sign is a brand statue which melts into the landscape and visually impacts anyone who crosses its path.
Monument signs don’t have legs, otherwise they’d be considered pylon signs. Monument signs are used by big businesses, commercial centers, educational institutions, and other large organizations for a variety of different purposes.
Why Do Businesses Deploy Monument Signs?
Below are listed some reasons why thriving businesses erect monument signs:
1. Monuments Increase Visibility and Findability
Monument signs are usually large and well-designed, making them easily spotted from a distance. This can help attract customers who are trying to find the front door, especially if the business is set back from the road.
2. Monuments Repeat Brand Motifs
Monument signs can be tailored to match a company's branding, including its colors, logos, and other visual elements. When positioned near businesses, branded monument signs have been proven to make stronger impressions on potential customers. In this respect, properly branded monuments can increase the effectiveness of advertising campaigns in the area.
3. Monuments are Milestone for Wayfinding
In addition to advertising a business, monument signs frequently include directional information, such as arrows or additional panels indicating where commuters may turn for parking, loading, or where to find specific venues and attractions. This makes it easier for customers to navigate and do business on site.
4. Build Monuments to Your Professionalism
A well-designed, high-quality monument sign can convey a sense of professionalism and legitimacy, which can be beneficial in attracting more customers. It gives the impression the business is well established and will be around for a while. Its permanence is comforting.
5. Make Message Boards for Market Information
Monument signs can provide useful information about a business, industry, or property. For example, they might indicate business hours, and advertise current promotions, or highlight services offered. Some modern monument signs now incorporate digital displays to convey changing information (like prices).
6. Monuments Can Be Shared by Multiple Tenants
In the same way pylon signs list the businesses that rent shops in your local shopping mall, monument signs can do the same job but without any legs (pylons). In cases where a property hosts multiple businesses, a single large monument sign can list all shops, helping to attract and direct customers for each individual business. This is often seen in medical centers, office complexes, and industrial parks.
7. Monument Signs Present Less Regulatory Compliance Issues
Depending on the municipality and their rules and regulations there could be restrictions on size, location, and number of signs a business can display. Monument signs can sometimes be a good way to get around the rules, and an effective way to maximize signage while staying within the guidelines.
8. Good Monuments Can Become Landmarks
In some instances, monument signs have become landmarks which help people navigate commercial areas. making the business even easier to locate. People might say, “Turn right at the big [Brand Name] sign,” making the sign itself a part of local navigational vernacular.
9. Monuments Increase Building Aesthetics
Many businesses value the aesthetic appeal of monument signs, which can be designed to complement architecture and the landscaping of the property.
By investing in a high-quality monument sign, businesses aim to attract more customers and provide useful information, and generally heighten their professional image.
What Materials Are Used to Make Monument Signs?
Monument signs are made from a variety of refined substances, depending on the design specifications, budget, and intended longevity. Below are listed some of the materials that Sign Source Solution commonly employs in the construction of monument signs.
Stone and Brick Monuments are Warm and Inviting.
Housing subdivisions commonly use stone and brick and sometimes even match the houses being built in the area. These installations are often built by the property developer and are made posh to attract investment. Stone and brick monuments are also used as memorials because they impart a traditional, timeless look. These materials are durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. They are generally more expensive but offer a high-quality appearance and their permanence makes them cost effective.
Metal Placards Remind People of their Permanence.
Like stone and brick deployments, aluminum and steel are also commonly used for monument signs. These materials are durable and can be finished in a variety of ways, including painting or powder-coating, to achieve a sophisticated appearance.
Wooden Installations Need Paint or Stain
Monument signs made of wood offer a classic appeal but require regular maintenance to protect against rot, insects, and weathering. They are often used in parks, historical sites, or areas where a natural look is desired.
Acrylic and Plastic Appear Sleek and Professional
High-density urethane (HDU), acrylic, and other plastics are lightweight and relatively inexpensive options for monument signs. These materials are often used for the sign's face or lettering and can be easily shaped and painted. Additionally, these materials are translucent and can be made to glow add colour to brand elements.
Concrete Signs Are Pragmatic and Utilitarian
Concrete is a durable option often used in a surprising array of modern designs. It can be stained, painted, or textured and is highly resistant to weathering. It’s often used in places where maintenance is difficult, and signs are built to exist for long periods of time without regular care or attention. Property boundary signs and hotel signs are sometimes made of concrete as it blends nicely into urban settings.
Composite Materials Are the Future of Monument Signs
Modern monument signs use a combination of new age materials to create unique looks and execute specific functions. For instance, a sign might have a stone base with a metal or acrylic face.
Digital Elements Add Efficiencies to Monument Signs
Some of the latest monument signs produced by Sign Source Solution incorporate digital displays, using LED or other electronic technologies, to change text and images. Such screen displays are generally framed in metal for increased longevity.
Glass Can Harness Sunlight to Good Effect
Though less common because of its fragility, glass elements are sometimes employed in monument signs to capture sunlight and make people look twice at the visual attraction. Glass glows and reflects light but it can also be used as a cover or exterior surface for light boxes. Glass is fragile and not recommended for outdoor use unless employed as a solid element or lens to capture light.
Which Materials Should We Use in Your Monument Sign?
Each substance has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, including varying degrees of durability, cost, and maintenance requirements. The choice of material often depends on the specific needs of the business, the local climate, and the more subtle elements of the brand message imparted by the sign.
