What Qualities Should You Look For In A Neon Sign?

For over a century now, neon lights have been used to draw attention to storefronts, and they’re still a very popular option for signs today. They were introduced in the late 19th century, and although scientists have made some technological advances in neon lighting, the basic construction of neon signs has remained the same: a tube is filled with neon which is kept below atmospheric pressure.

Many businesses are now switching to LED lights, which can be more efficient and may be favored for other reasons, but neon signs are still preferred by many business owners, and they offer a number of advantages. At Prime Signs, our New Orleans sign experts can help you decide which type of signs would be best for your business and your property, and we’ve also compiled a few of the qualities that you should look for in a great neon sign:

Lifespan of Neon Signs

Most types of light bulbs will burn out all at once after a certain number of years, but neon signs will slowly decrease in brightness from the first time that they’re plugged in. Electrodes slowly evaporate and condense inside of the glass envelope as the sign is used, causing a natural dimming over time.

The average lifespan of a neon sign is around 8 to 15 years, and the biggest factor in its lifespan is current. Running a neon sign at a lower current will help it last for a lot longer, but it also compromises the brightness, so you’ll need to find a balance between optimal brightness and current.

Repairing and Maintaining Neon Signs

For the longest lifespan possible, it’s important that you have your New Orleans property’s neon sign repaired and maintained regularly. The life expectancy of a neon sign’s transformer is only 5-7 years, so you’ll most likely at least need to have that replaced over the course of its lifespan.

Color Options for Neon Signs

By the 1930s, fluorescent tube coatings allowed for a wide range of color options for neon signs, and there are now over 100 different colors that you can choose for your New Orleans property’s neon sign. These color options are one of the greatest advantages that neon signs have over other other signs. Color options can vary based on the type of cathode blanks that the signs use.

Energy Requirements

One of the major reasons that more people are opting for LED over neon signs is that LED is much more energy efficient. Before you decide on a neon sign for your New Orleans business, you should calculate the probable costs of running the sign.