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Best for indoor or temporary outdoor use, wall or fence mounted signage, smaller-sized signs (under 12 inches)
Best for small and mid-sized outdoor signage. Think signs on poles and posts.
Best for long term, high-wind applications, municipal and DOT compliant areas.
Lightweight. Best for indoor or shorter-term outdoor use. Real-estate signs or branding panels.
Aluminum Composite is the combination of two outer, thinner sheets of aluminum with a lightweight and rigid polysumptinsumptin in the middle. Still quite rigid, but very lightweight.
Engineer Grade reflective sheeting offers basic reflectivity designed for close-range, straight-on viewing. Engineer Grade meets the minimum requirements of ASTM D4956 Type I, delivering dependable performance for applications where high-intensity reflectivity is not required.
High Intensity Prismatic Sheeting meets middle grade performance standards and ASTM D4956 Type IV. This reflective sheeting uses polycarbonate cube corner technology and is often used for reflective traffic and road signs.
Diamond Grade DG³ reflective sheeting meets ASTM D4956 Type XI. This highly reflective sheeting uses 100% efficient full-cube prismatic technology that reflects, almost twice the amount of light back to its source as High Intensity Prismatic sheeting.
Protective Coating
Provides a durable barrier against UV fading, dirt, stains, and most graffiti. Keep your signs looking clean and well-maintained by making them easier to clean and resistant to damage. Only our 3M™ Diamond Grade Prismatic reflective product offers a 3M overlaminate option. All other products use an anti-graffiti liquid laminate coating that offers similar benefits without the physical adhesive laminate.
Both laminates are non-PVC and able to handle complex shapes and curves including rivets and corrugations.
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Detour Signs
Product Specs
- .040 - Light-duty. It’s lightweight and flexible. It works great when it’s supported by a flat surface or not exposed to much wind or impact.
- .063 - Medium-duty. Stronger than .040, it holds up well in outdoor conditions but is still relatively light and easy to install.
- .080 - Heavy-duty. It’s thick, rigid, and built to last. Won’t bend easily, even when mounted on a single pole or under harsh weather conditions. .080 is municipal and DOT compliant.
Aluminum composite is 2 thin sheets of aluminum with a polyethylene core. It is rigid, thick (3mm thick), but significantly more lightweight than solid aluminum. It is more sturdy than .040 solid aluminum and would be most suitable for indoor or temporary outdoor applications.
It’s all about how much light they are able to reflect, the distance they can be seen from, and the angles at which they can reflect from.
- Engineer grade is a low-grade performing reflective that can be used for non-critical applications.
- 3M Hi Intensity reflective is three times as reflective as engineer grade allowing greater distance and angles and is often used for reflective traffic and road signs. Meets ASTM D4956 Type IV standards.
- 3M Diamond Grade reflective is almost twice as reflective as 3M Hi Intensity reflective. Diamond Grade reflective is the best performer for reflectivity, distance, and angle. Meets ASTM D4956 Type XI standards.
For all signs except the diamond grade reflective, a liquid laminate protective coating is applied adding UV protection, moisture resistance, scratch resistance, and graffiti-resistance. For diamond grade reflective, a clear 3M adhesive laminate is applied providing the same benefits but with added durability.
We currently only offer drilled holes in the top and bottom center of the sign. We have found this is the most versatile option for our customers.
Yes. Our aluminum composite signs can be double-sided.
While we don't offer custom shapes on this particular product, you can create whatever custom shape you'd like with our Custom Aluminum Signs.
On non-reflective signs, we print directly onto the aluminum. On reflective signs, the reflective sheeting is mounted onto the aluminum and we print directly onto it. We do not use cut vinyl on our aluminum signs.
Aluminum signs are not magnetic. Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal so it does not contain properties that attract magnets.
Usage
We currently offer 3 sizes of solid aluminum signage. 12x18, 18x24, and 24x36. Choose your size based off of the most common viewing distance.
- 12x18 signs are best viewed from 5 to 15 feet
- 18x24 signs are best viewed from 10 to 30 feet
- 24x36 signs are best viewed from 25 to 50 feet
Yes — the U.S. Department of Transportation, via the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), requires that all regulatory signs be retroreflective or illuminated so they’re visible both day and night (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2003r1/part2/part2b1.htm).
Our aluminum signs should last 5-15 years depending on the type of sign, and its exposure to the elements.
Yes! We offer complete customization of your design. If you like a particular design but want to edit the design slightly, select customize design and you will be taken to our design studio which will allow you to edit colors, text, and add images and shapes to make the design exactly what you’re looking for.
No, aluminum signs will not rust — because aluminum doesn't contain iron, which is the metal that rusts when exposed to water and oxygen.
Aluminum can bend. And the thinner the aluminum is, the more pliable it is. Our .040 aluminum will have the most flexibility and our .080 aluminum will have the most rigidity.
All signs fade over time, but our UV-printed signs will fade much more slowly than traditional inkjet or solvent-printed signs. A protective coating can slow fading even more and keep your sign looking great years into the future.
Aluminum signs are the standard material used for most MUTCD-compliant traffic and regulatory signs across the United States. In order to be MUTCD-compliant, your sign needs to use approved reflectivity, follow proper design layout, color, and size specs, and be used in the right traffic or regulatory context. We recommend reviewing the standards found here (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov)
Installation & Care
Aluminum signs are extremely versatile and can be used in many applications. We offer many different solutions for installation including mounting it to posts, using nuts and bolts to mount it to interior or exterior walls, zip ties to mount it to a fence, or 3M command strips for indoor and temporary mounting.
Cleaning your aluminum sign is easy and helps to extend its life. Use a mild soap or dish detergent mixed with some warm water. Take a soft sponge or microfiber cloth and wipe the sign surface down. Then dry it with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. If your sign has graffiti (spray paint, marker, or stickers) and has a protective coating or laminate, use an anti-graffiti removing solvent like a 3M Citrus Base Cleaner, Simple Green, or isopropyl alcohol and apply it with a soft cloth. Then rinse and dry as stated above.