Search the forums

Loading
Home › Forums › Breaktime › Construction Techniques

Backlighting exterior signage

cwcjr09's picture

Backlighting exterior signage (post #186111)

cwcjr09 on Sun, 03/14/2010 - 14:59
in

I'm working with a customer right now to design an exterior sign for a salon. At this point we are looking at getting a piece of 1/4" steel with salon name cut out of it. The sign and lettering will be oriented vertically and measure about 12" x 96". 

The plan right now is to mount this piece of metal on the face of the brick building with a light behind it that will show through the cut out letters as well as out of the sides between the building and the metal sign. 

Does anyone have any recommendations for exterior light fixtures that would serve this purpose? I just want something plain, as it will be hidden by the sign and somewhat slim (we don't want the sign to stick out more than a foot). I also need about eight foot worth of lighting. Any recommendations or feedback on what to buy and even where to get it would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

-A +A

Sounds like a perfect job for (post #186111, reply #1 of 4)

by davidmeiland in reply to cwcjr09 [original] on Sun, 03/14/2010 - 18:24

Sounds like a perfect job for rope light. You could attach the rope directly to the back of the steel, along with lengths of small angle iron as a valance

The stuff I've used is less than 1/2" diameter and can be had in any length. You could make it a perfect stealth installation if you can get the power situated directly behind the sign. There are line voltage and low voltage versions.

I would think you'd want (post #186111, reply #2 of 4)

by DanH in reply to cwcjr09 [original] on Sun, 03/14/2010 - 18:47

I would think you'd want fluorescent tubes.  But you need something to diffuse the light -- a frosted acrylic or polycarbonate sheet, probably.  (Don't ever use polystyrene outside as the UV will kill it in a matter of weeks.)


(But isn't all this why they have sign shops?)


We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy -- sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. --Thomas Edison

I like the rope idea for (post #186111, reply #3 of 4)

by cwcjr09 in reply to DanH [original] on Mon, 03/15/2010 - 04:37

I like the rope idea for "stealth" reasons just not sure if it has the power to really light this sign up like we want.

I'll probably give the fluorsecents a shot.

Yea a sign shop would be very helpful but we are on a tight budget, so I'm trying to keep everything in house.

Thanks for the help

electronic ballast (post #186111, reply #4 of 4)

by calvin in reply to cwcjr09 [original] on Mon, 03/15/2010 - 05:07

If using fluorescent, be sure of your protection against water/moisture.  And depending on location-electronic ballast for use in cold climates.

A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.


http://www.quittintime.com/