Outdoor signs must do more than look good on the day they are installed. Their design, materials, construction, finish and mounting all need to reflect where and how the sign will be used.

The Plaid Dog Workshop creates custom outdoor signs for businesses, homes, ranches, cabins, gates, walls and covered exterior spaces.

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Every outdoor project begins with the same question:

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Where will the sign live?

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Outdoor Sign Applications

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We create exterior signs for:

• Businesses and storefronts

• Ranches and farms

• Home addresses

• Driveways and gates

• Cabins and vacation properties

• Barns and workshops

• Covered porches

• Exterior menu displays

• Directional signs

• Property names

• Private roads

• Community and neighborhood spaces

 

Designing for Exposure

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Two outdoor signs in the same town can experience very different conditions.

A sign under a deep porch roof has different requirements than one installed between posts in an open field.

 

Before recommending a design, we consider:

• Direct sun exposure

• Rain and melting snow

• Wind

• Temperature changes

• Mounting orientation

• Protection from an overhang

• Contact with masonry or metal

• Air movement behind the sign

• Water drainage

• Viewing distance

• Access for future maintenance

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Outdoor Wood Signs

 

Wood creates a warm, substantial and handcrafted sign, but it naturally expands and contracts as environmental conditions change.

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A well-planned wood sign should allow for movement rather than locking wide boards tightly inside a rigid frame. Construction details should also prevent water from becoming trapped behind trim, rails, panels or replaceable components.

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Depending on the design, outdoor wood signs may use:

• Solid wood like White Oak or Cedar

• Exterior-rated wood panels

• Carved lettering

• Engraved details

• Painted backgrounds

• Paint-filled carving

• Replaceable or dimensional elements

 

Protective exterior finishes

 

We use an outddor rated finish with UV blocking but but outdoor wood signs will eventually require inspection and maintenance. The amount and frequency depend on exposure, material and finish. 

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Acrylic and Mixed-Material Outdoor Signs

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Acrylic can provide clean lettering, strong contrast and a modern appearance. It can also be combined with wood to add dimensional logos, pricing, numbers or decorative details.

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Outdoor acrylic construction may include:

• Cut acrylic lettering

• Engraved acrylic panels

• Raised logos

• Layered lettering

• Replaceable price tiles

• Clear protective panels

• Wood-and-acrylic combinations

 

The mounting design should allow for material movement, drainage and airflow rather than trapping moisture between layers.

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Covered Outdoor Signs

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Signs mounted under an awning, porch, drive-through roof or building overhang generally receive more protection than fully exposed signs.

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Covered locations are excellent candidates for:

• Detailed wood signs

• Menu boards

• Layered signs

• Engraved panels

• Dimensional logo signs

• Changeable pricing systems

• Decorative address signs

 

“Covered,” however, does not always mean dry. Wind-driven rain, condensation and temperature changes should still be considered.

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Protective Covers and Clear Panels

 

A clear acrylic or polycarbonate cover can help protect certain signs from unwanted touching, food splashes or direct contact. However, a cover must be planned carefully so it does not trap water or condensation against the sign.

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Possible design considerations include:

• An air gap between the sign and cover

• Openings for ventilation

• Drainage at the bottom

• Removable mounting hardware

• Expansion space

• Access for cleaning or price changes

• UV and scratch exposure

 

A clear cover is not automatically the best solution for every outdoor sign. We will evaluate whether it adds useful protection or creates unnecessary moisture and maintenance concerns.

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Start With the Installation Location

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Send photographs of the wall, gate, posts or structure where the sign will be mounted. Include approximate dimensions and describe how much sun, precipitation and customer contact the sign may receive.

That information allows us to recommend a sign that balances appearance, durability, maintenance and cost.

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