Materials Guide
STEEL: THE BEST METAL FOR YOUR CUSTOM OUTDOOR SIGN
For almost every custom outdoor sign we plasma cut in Fitzgerald, GA, steel is our go-to material. It is stiff, cuts crisp detail, holds up to Georgia weather and gives you the most value on the kinds of signs we build every day. Here is what to know before you order yours.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Choose steel for ground-mounted signs, heavy monument pieces and fine plasma-cut detail — it is stiffer, cheaper per square foot and cuts sharper than other common sign metals, as long as you keep a good coating on it. For coastal or constantly wet locations, Corten steel gives you a stable rust patina that does not need paint.
SIDE BY SIDE
DURABILITY
Very high impact strength. Mild steel and Corten shrug off wind, hail and ladder knocks. A good coating is what keeps bare steel from rusting.
WEIGHT
Heavier than non-ferrous sheet metal. That weight is an advantage for ground-mounted monument signs that must not move.
COASTAL & HUMID AIR
Needs powder coat, paint or galvanizing, plus touch-ups. Corten is the exception — it forms a stable rust patina on purpose.
MAINTENANCE
Inspect the finish yearly and touch up chips before they bloom into rust. Corten signs only need an occasional rinse.
COST
Lower material cost per square foot than non-ferrous alternatives, so it usually wins on large, thick, ground-level pieces.
PLASMA CUTTING DETAIL
Cuts clean and crisp — best choice for fine lettering, scrollwork and intricate scenes.
WHAT WE ACTUALLY BUILD IT FROM
DETAILED LETTERING & SCENES
Mild steel, powder coated. The crispest plasma edge and the stiffness to hold thin letter strokes without wobble.
LARGE MONUMENT & ENTRY SIGNS
Steel plate on a welded steel frame. Weight is an advantage here — it stays put in Georgia storms.
BUILT TO BE USED
Steel holds up to load, vibration and weather. We add the right bracing and finish so a working piece keeps looking good.
FINISHES THAT MAKE IT LAST
Material is only half of it. On steel we blast the mill scale off, prime and then powder coat or use a two-part automotive paint — that coating is what stands between your sign and a Georgia summer. We also cut Corten when you want the weathered steel look without worrying about paint. Either way, we recommend stainless hardware; plain steel bolts will streak a finished panel within a season.
COMMON QUESTIONS
WILL A STEEL OUTDOOR SIGN RUST?
Bare mild steel will. We blast, prime and powder coat or paint every steel sign that lives outside, which gives you many years of service. If you actually want the rust look, we cut Corten steel, which weathers to a stable patina and stops there.
IS STEEL STRONG ENOUGH FOR A BIG SIGN?
Yes. Steel is stiffer than non-ferrous sheet by weight, so large panels stay flat and do not oil-can in the wind. We step up thickness and add a welded steel frame behind the face when needed.
WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST METAL FOR A CUSTOM OUTDOOR SIGN?
Steel is cheaper per pound of material and usually wins on cost for large, thick, ground-level signs.
WHAT THICKNESS SHOULD AN OUTDOOR STEEL SIGN BE?
Most yard and wall signs run 1/8 in. steel. Monument and entry signs usually go 1/4 in. or thicker with a welded frame behind them.
Still not sure which way to go? Tell us where the sign is going and we will spec it for you.