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Extrusions - A Logical Long-Term Solution
By Anne Maapanen
For smaller sign shops, there exists a common misconception that aluminum extrusion sign boxes are more costly than traditional sheet metal sign boxes.
Extrusions, however, make sense for these smaller sign shops for many reasons. The first, of course, is money. One of our goals, as sign makers, is to help our customers make money. Al Sandid, product designer for Signalex, a supplier of sign shop materials in Mississauga, Ontario, says that, in considering cost, many sign shop owners fail to take into account the reduced skilled labour costs of extrusions in both pre-production and fabrication. Traditional sheet metal sign boxes may use less costly materials, but the associated labour costs involved to produce them can be generally quite high. Pre-engineered extrusions don’t require extensive production by skilled workers because they are made up of pre-engineered parts, in which design, procurement, fabrication, installation and maintenance are inherent. Because extrusions have less internal structure compared to metal sign boxes, fabrication time can be cut significantly, and this in turn saves the shop money.
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Second, traditional metal signs often require long-term post-production maintenance—in terms of cleaning dirt and debris and changing corrosive components—whereas extrusions are corrosion-resistant—being fabricated with weather seals to prevent dust and water from breaching the interior of the signs—and are self-hinging and locking, so there are no fasteners present, which can seize or rust. These products are created to be durable and are meant to last long-term. Extrusions mean savings for the customer as well, because signage life is extended and the replacement cost of long-lasting signage is postponed.
Aluminum is generally light-weight and is easier to handle than iron, yet it is extremely strong, having the ability to support the weight of most standard-sized sign faces. It is ideal to work with when sawing, bending, drilling and mitring, and its natural properties lend itself easily to chemical and anodizing processes. Specializing signage for customers is becoming increasingly necessary in a world where standard means being ignored…especially by potential customers. Being noticed means more sales, which translates into more revenue.
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Extruded aluminum can be tailored to exhibit rough, matte or mirrored properties and surface materials such as enamel, electroplate, paint, lacquer and laminate can be used to coat it. Sign manufacturers, as well as architects and designers, value extrusions for these qualities. Additionally, aluminum extrusions are compatible with most other materials and can be soldered, welded, clinched and adhered to other parts. For companies involved in custom design, extrusions can be tailored to suit unique signage requirements. For those shops that do traditional signage, extrusions can be ordered in standard pre-cut sizes.
In an industry where the competition is fierce, unique selling features, such as the ability to offer extruded signage, will allow smaller sign shops to compete in new markets and satisfy a multitude of customer needs. In the long run, the versatility and cost-effectiveness of offering extruded aluminum signage makes sense for those small shops wishing to save money—and also increase revenue—and provide a sound and valued product to their customers.
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