Lighted Signs: Neon v. LED
Posted by Drew Kyler on Thu, May 12, 2011 @ 03:55 PM
One of the most aesthetically pleasing and visible types of signs are internally illuminated channel letters. Channel letters are a cost effective and great way to attract customers to your business both during the day and at night.
There are two types of illumination for channel letter sets. One type is neon and the other is LED (light emitting diode). Until recently, neon channel letters dominated the market. LED technology has made great advances, however, and is proving to be the superior product. What follows is a list of just a few reasons LED’s are winning the market share with sign illumination.
- Neon glass is fragile. It has a tendency to break or develop cracks over time. LED modules are manufactured in controlled environments which reduces the probability of defects.
- Neon signs require more power to run. LED’s are energy efficient and provide a noticeable savings on energy when compared to neon.
- LED power supplies are much smaller and easier to install than neon power supplies. They also have a tendency to have fewer problems. This makes installation easier and often reduces the overall cost of LED signs.
All that said, neon still has great uses. Exposed neon signs still have a classic charm that fits certain types of sign design. Overall, however, LED channel letters are the best choice for most building signage.
