An important and perhaps sometimes overlooked aspect of purchasing an LED sign is how it will be installed. A sign is only effective if it can be easily seen and read, but visibility isn’t the only factor to consider. Strength, stability, and fit are also essential elements of mounting an LED sign. Below are several LED sign mount options and some of their practical applications.
Wall or Surface Mount
As the name suggests, this type of LED sign mount is installed on a wall or flat surface. Signal-Tech’s most common sign installation — available on nearly every Signal-Tech sign, excluding DOT and SA Series — is the Built-in Lift’N Shift Wall Mount. This one-of-a-kind wall or surface mounting feature makes installation simple and eliminates the need to use additional brackets for installation as the sign’s back doubles as a mounting place.
In addition to the Built-in Lift’N Shift Wall Mount, a Recessed Frame Mount is a viable option for clear, head-on views of an LED sign. When installed, the sign is inserted into the recessed frame, and the frame is then bolted to a wall surface. Recessed Frame Mounts are ideal for signs that are read from one direction, installed in a permanent location, such as a store’s façade or bank drive-thru, and they are aesthetically pleasing by becoming part of the structure supporting it.
Wall or surface mount signs don’t always have to be mounted parallel or flush with the wall or surface. Angled and Swivel Mount Brackets allow signs to be installed on flat surfaces, but their angled design will enable them to be read at 30-degree or 45-degree angles. Angle and Swivel Mount Brackets are ideal for single-faced signs that must be read at angles with traffic flowing toward the sign.
Side Mount and Ceiling Mount Brackets are the final two installation applications of wall or surface mount signs. Side Mount Brackets use two brackets and two bolts to project the sign perpendicularly from the surface or wall and are the ideal application for mounting a double-faced sign on a wall as both directions easily see them of two-way traffic.
Like Side Mount Brackets, Ceiling Mount Brackets use two brackets and two bolts to mount signs perpendicularly from the ceiling. Ceiling Mounted signs are best for applications where clear sightlines are needed to read the sign and floor/ground space is limited, such as the hallways of a hospital.
All Signal-Tech mounting brackets are constructed of non-corrosive, heavy gauge aluminum and engineered to withstand outdoor conditions.
Post Mount
Not every LED sign will have a wall or surface on which to be mounted. A viable sign mount option in these circumstances is Post Mounts. However, much like surface or wall-mounted signs, post-mounted signs also have a few options from which to choose.
Single Post Mounts are constructed of extruded aluminum and are typically used for signs that are 26 inches wide or less. However, this size is variable based on the sign’s overall height, length, and weight. These posts for LED signs are available in two styles — two and one-quarter inches by three inches Rectangular Post and four inches by four inches Decorative Heavy Duty Post. Posts are available in standard lengths 40, 60, and 90 inches (more on post lengths later). Further, single mount posts include a finishing end cap and a locking square to secure the sign in place.
Double Post Mounts are constructed of the same material as Single Post Mounts. However, as their name implies, they feature two posts for mounting signs wider than 26 inches. Double Post Mounts are also ideal for projecting an LED sign wider than 26 inches from a wall or ceiling.
Finally, LED sign mounts featuring post mounts have two ways to be secured to the ground or surface — through a base plate mount or direct burial, as shown above. However, Double Post Mounted signs attached to a wall or ceiling can only be done using a base plate measuring six inches by six inches. Direct burial posts (requiring no base plate) are available in 40-, 60-, 90-, and 120-inch lengths.
DOT Sign Mounts
For Signal-Tech’s Department of Transportation (DOT) LED signs, the Sky Bracket Sign Mount is the typical mounting mechanism. The mount attaches to the back of the sign, which attaches a pole or mast arm, and uses a swivel and saddle design for vertical or horizontal mounting.
The Sky Bracket includes a 46-inch long mounting pole with foam insert and end caps, a cast aluminum saddle bracket and swivel, adjustable cables sized to fit mast arm poles from 2 inches to 17 inches in diameter, mounting channels (factory welded to back of sign), and mounting hardware. The mount is also equipped with locking fasteners to minimize installation time. Custom Sky Bracket Mounting configurations are also available for unique DOT requirements.
Mounting is a vital consideration for any LED sign, and choosing the type of sign mount for your application should be done strategically and methodically. In addition to clear visibility and readability, strength, stability, and fit must also be considered. Signal-Tech is the leading LED signage and systems solutions company for financial, parking, transportation, medical, and industrial applications. Our team of experts is ready to help you choose the best LED signage for your unique needs and select the proper sign mount to ensure its functionality throughout its lifespan. Contact us to learn more!
