All you need to know about aluminum signs (and why they are so successful)

Aluminum metal signs have become a standard in the sign industry. Why have they become one of the top choices for outdoor signage? Well let’s look at the aluminum material itself. Aluminum is the most abundant metal on the planet. It is also the third most abundant element. It makes up about 8% by weight of the Earth’s solid surface. The metal aluminum is not something that can be dug up like iron or gold, it is contained within ore. The main source for aluminum metal is bauxite ore. Although aluminum salts were used by the Romans and the Greeks, it wasn’t until the early 1800’s that the metal aluminum was discovered. Aluminum has all of the elements to make it an outstanding choice when you need a custom business sign. Aluminum metal signs are lightweight and relatively inexpensive, but one of the major reasons organizations choose aluminum signs is because they do not rust like other metal signs.

Why don’t aluminum signs rust away?

Aluminum is one of the most versatile materials on the planet, and is also a naturally rust-proof metal. That is one reason it is the third most used metal in the world. Only iron and steel are more popular because of their strength when used in many constructions. However, steel and iron rust, as most metals will. When metals are exposed to moisture rust begins to form. This is the same even of aluminum. Other metals form iron oxide which has an orange-ish color to it and will create stains. Plus, the iron oxide also flakes off, leaving more metal exposed to moisture. On the other hand, aluminum forms a thin, hard coating of aluminum oxide. The aluminum oxide coats the metal and protects it from further oxidation. The oxide coating is so thin that it’s transparent, so the aluminum keeps its metallic appearance. As technology advanced they turned their attention to aluminum. It is used for a number of high-tech industries. But in the sign industry, technology was kind enough to help us extend the life of aluminum metal signs.

How does technology extend the life of aluminum signs?

Aluminum alone is an amazing metal. It is easy to obtain, light weight, and as we all know now, rust resistant. How can that be improved on? Well where there’s a will there’s a way. These days everyone is trying to make things bigger, better, faster. And when it comes to aluminum, it worked! They took a versatile metal and made it even better. How did they do this? By adding one simple feature. The aluminum used in the sign industry is is coated with a baked on enamel finish. The enamel gives the aluminum a perfectly smooth and glossy finish. This adds to the strength of the aluminum as well as gives a surface that is perfect for creating a sign. The smooth surface allows vinyl letters and graphics to be so smooth they look painted on, while having a durability that matches that of aluminum. Combining technology with nature has given us a material needing only a little bit of creativity to produce a sign that will help your business grow.