Choosing the Right Material for Parking Lot Signage Maintenance
Proper parking lot signage plays a necessary and important role in making sure your parking lot is safe and organized, that access points and directions are highlighted, and that legal ADA compliance obligations are fulfilled. Clarity matters to your customers who want visible directions to avoid congestion, to businesses and merchants that rely on well-marked loading zones to facilitate convenience, and for emergency vehicles that need to navigate properties quickly.
Importance of Parking Lot Signage
Your parking lot signage should provide a sense of security and make a great first impression to attract customers and drive revenue. If drivers get frustrated or cannot quickly determine parking rates, chances are they’ll leave and find another lot that caters to their needs. Use signage to provide lot rules and fees and to indicate parking restrictions and fire lanes and loading zones.
Strategically deployed parking lot signage can maximize lot capacity, improve the overall user experience, and reduce accidents. Signs, including the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA), that clearly convey messaging at parking spots can meet ADA requirements and keep the lot in compliance with state and federal laws.
Clear, well-lit, and visible signage keeps both cars and pedestrians safe. They can be used to enforce speed limits, help people locate exits and elevators, and alert individuals to potential hazards.
Types of Parking Lot Signage
The parking lot signage you need runs the gamut from directional signs, parking identification, traffic control, and specialized parking signs for designated parking areas. Costs can vary based on type, size, quantity, and most importantly, the type of materials used to construct the signage to keep it looking good for years.
Proper sign placement helps ensure visibility and effectiveness and specific requirements for signage, such as mounting rules and sign placement, are often set by local authorities. Parking lot signage is usually most effective at entrances and exits and building access points, as well as at intersections and payment stations, along fire lanes and in front of designated parking spots.
The most common types of parking lot signage include:
- Regulatory Signage – These signs are necessary to adhere to laws that regulate traffic and parking and include ADA-required, van accessibility, and fire lane signage.
- Informational Signage – Important for enhancing the customer experience, informational signage provides directions using easily understood arrows and symbols, displays hours of operation and payment instructions, and helps visitors navigate the lot.
- Caution/Safety Signage – Keeping people and cars safe requires signage that posts speed limits, indicates pedestrian crossings, and provides clear information at intersections and stops. They can also offer warnings of potential hazards like slippery surfaces under certain weather conditions.
Best Parking Lot Signage Materials
Fortunately, there are parking lot signage materials to fit every budget and provide a long-lasting return on your signage investment. You have a wide selection of materials that can be used to design signage in all sizes, shapes, and colors and that will last years with little maintenance. In addition, reflective coatings can increase durability and keep signage easy to read despite moisture and sun exposure.
- Maxmetal® Parking Lot Signage – Maxmetal® provides a lightweight and durable choice for parking lot signage because it’s lightweight, easy to install, and easy to customize. This material offers increased strength, rigidity, and can endure extreme heat and freezing temperatures. Maxmetal® is valued for its rustproof properties and ability to resist corrosion and withstand years of exposure to sun, wind, and rain. Maxmetal® parking lot signs can be coated with reflective materials for better visibility at night.
- Plastic/Polyethylene Parking Lot Signage – Signs constructed of plastic/polyethylene material are a dependable, less expensive choice than metal for parking lot signs when durability and weather resistance is required. They can be customized with vibrant graphics and reflective films for greater visibility. They may not last as long as metal signs, but their low cost and versatility make them an effective choice.
- Vinyl Parking Lot Signage – Vinyl’s flexibility lets it conform to a variety of surfaces and makes it highly customizable for a wide range of outdoor uses. Vinyl parking lot signage can withstand rain and contains UV-resistant properties so design and messaging stays clear and visible over years of sun and moisture exposure. For best results, it’s important to consider high quality grade vinyl signage and protective laminates.
- Polycarbonate Signage – Polycarbonate is an excellent choice for parking lot signage material due to its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and its flexibility to be molded into a variety of shapes. It provides a similar visual impact as glass or metal but is more lightweight and less expensive. Polycarbonate is ideal for illuminated or back-lit signage for day or nighttime visibility.
Several other factors in addition to signage materials will weigh into your decision on the best parking lot signage for your needs, such as installation costs, location, local ordinances, and existing infrastructure. However, it’s the quality of the sign and the material it’s made of that keeps it looking good and provides long-lasting results with little upkeep.