When it comes to Houston custom signs, traditional neon and LED signs are both great ways to attract attention to your business and make a lasting impression on customers. However, they each have their own unique features that make them more suitable for certain businesses.
Neon signs have been a part of Houston’s landscape for decades, and they’re still going strong. But what’s the difference between traditional neon signs and newer LED neon signage? Do you need to update your sign? Is it worth it? We’ll explore all this to help you choose the right signage for your business.
To help you make an informed decision about which type of Houston custom signs is right for you, let’s compare LED neon signage to traditional neon signs.
What’s the Difference Between LED Neon and Traditional Neon Houston Custom Signs?
Traditional neon signs emit light from a gas trapped in glass tubes. The gas inside these tubes is ignited by an electric current and glows with various colors depending on its chemical makeup.
On the other hand, LED stands for light-emitting diode, which means that LEDs don’t use gas like traditional neon signs do. Instead, they are made of semiconductors that emit light when an electric current passes through them.
Generally, these Houston custom signs are a classic way to add a little flair to your storefront and make sure customers can’t miss your business when they drive by.
So, why should you choose one over the other? Let’s break down some of the differences between LED signs and traditional neon signs based on the following significant factors:
1. Energy Efficiency
Traditional neon signs require a lot of energy to operate, which costs money and increases your company’s carbon footprint. In contrast, LED signs require very little energy to operate and can be kept on 24/7 without significantly increasing your electricity bill. In other words, LED neon Houston custom signs are more energy-efficient than neon signage.
2. Lifespan and Durability
The lifespan of an LED sign is much longer than that of a neon sign. While a neon sign may produce light for so many years, its electrical parts are fragile and won’t last as long as the gas. This means that you’ll have to replace your neon sign more often.
LED signs are also more durable than traditional neon signage. Traditional neon signs rely on glass tubes that can break easily. However, the plastic housing around LED neon signs makes them much more resilient.
So if you’re looking for long-lasting and durable Houston outdoor signs that will last for decades, then an LED sign may be right for you.
3. Flexibility
If you’re looking for Houston custom signs that can be flexible for your business, then LED signs are a great choice. Here’s why:
- Traditional neon signs have limited color and design options. You can only use one color at a time in neon signs. Also, designs are limited to how much you can bend the glass tubing during manufacturing.
- LED signs can be programmed to display any color or shape. LED neon signs allow you to choose many different colors or even change colors for your sign. Because they’re made of flexible LED strips, you can use them in practically any shape you can imagine.
Therefore, LED neon signs also have more options when it comes to color, shape, and overall design.
4. Brightness
Traditional neon signs rely on gases for their brightness. However, those gases do tend to leak out of the sign over time, reducing how bright they shine. Therefore, as they age, they usually lose visibility. Often, the only way to fix this is to replace the sign.
LED neon signs are usually brighter and more visible in the sunlight than traditional neon signs. They can be seen from far away, helping to attract more customers and increase brand recognition. Even though they use less energy, they are often much brighter than their traditional neon counterparts. Also, they usually maintain their brightness for many years, not fading over time like traditional neon.
So why does this matter? With LED neon signage, you can get more light with less energy usage for a longer period of time. That means you’ll have a smaller carbon footprint, which is better for the environment, and your Houston custom signs will also last longer and be less expensive to run over time—and that’s better for your bottom line!
5. Cost for Houston Custom Signs
It’s no secret that LED business signs are more economical than traditional neon signs. An average LED sign will only cost about $80 a year to run, whereas an average neon sign will cost about $210 a year. This makes LED signs much more economical to run in your business, and it also means that you’ll have less money tied up in your signage if you choose an LED option.
The reason for this disparity is pretty straightforward: neon lights require a lot more electricity than LEDs. They also need cooling systems to prevent overheating. As such, they’re generally more expensive to manufacture, operate, and maintain than LED neon signs.
LED Neon vs. Neon Signage: Which Option Is the Best for Modern Houston Custom Signs?
Traditional neon signs use glass tubing filled with neon gas or other gases that light up when exposed to an electrical current. The problem with these signs is that they use a lot of power for not a lot of output as far as brightness. Colors are also pretty limited and you can only use one color at a time in the sign. And because they’re made of glass, they are also fragile and can break easily.
However, they are also incredibly unique and can create a nostalgic feeling for people that see them, which is why some business owners still want the look of neon, minus all the disadvantages.
By contrast, LED neon signs use LED lights bent into shape just like neon signs and are usually housed in a plastic sign for durability. They look remarkably like traditional neon signs. For many people, the only way they can tell the difference is that LEDs don’t create the buzzing sound many people associate with neon signs.
LED neon signs are brighter, longer-lasting, more energy-efficient, and more flexible in color and design than traditional neon signs. They also cost less to manufacture. Therefore, it’s pretty clear that LED neon signs are the clear winner over traditional neon signs.
Signage Solutions for Your Business from 4D Signworx
When you need top quality signs to advertise your business, choose our team at 4D Signworx. We are one of the leading Houston sign companies and offer superior service and craftsmanship for your signage needs. Our team handles everything in-house, from design to manufacturing and installation, to save you money and supply better quality business signs. Contact us today for a free quote for Houston custom signs.