Almost gone are the days of heavy, expensive monument signs. While some business owners still opt for true marble, granite, brick, or limestone to build their monuments, many are taking a new route by using faux finishes.
Known as EPS, expanded polystyrene is a foam that wears many hats. EPS is a lightweight material that can be molded to create any shape you desire.
Bamboo, brick, granite, river stone, tree bark, and other textures can be created by pouring a synthetic mixture into molds designed specifically to tile over the entire surface of your sign. Interlocking molds ensure a flawless façade over your monument. With your monument sign fabrication in the right hands, these dimensional textures will appear realistic and beautiful for a fraction of what it would cost to obtain the real thing.
Thanks to ever-advancing technology, once a monument sign is finished, it’s extremely difficult to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s manufactured.
Your custom monument can be shaped using EPS foam, which is then reinforced to give your sign a durable, hard-coat shell that will allow it to endure any climate without fear of rust, rot, or pest issues such as birds and bugs. After completing the curing process, your choice of synthetic material is placed or sprayed over the top.
Marbleizing
A marble-like finish can be painted onto the surface of your sign. This method mimics your choice of marble pattern while keeping your sign lightweight, sturdy, and affordable. Aside from just marble painting, your monument sign can be camouflaged with nearly any pattern or texture you can dream up!
Wood Grain/HDU
In addition to EPS, there is another synthetic product called HDU. HDU stands for high-density urethane, a material that mimics wood like no other. Though it’s not sturdy enough to be used for a monument sign’s main framework, it can be placed over the top of the monument’s structural frame to appear as if the entire sign is made of wood. HDU can be sandblasted just like a real wooden sign, which gives you many options for aesthetic customization.
Stucco Finish
A formula consisting of foam and plastic is sprayed and cured over the top of your monument sign, then a stucco texture can be glazed over the sign’s surface to disguise the EPS structure. This method is similar to what’s used for adding a faux-stucco finish to your home exteriors!
Brick or Stone Finish
There are many brick and stone molds to choose from, but did you know that it’s possible to match stone and brick patterns from a digital photo alone? If you want to mimic a distinct appearance, you are not necessarily restricted to pre-existing molds. A custom mold can be made specifically for your monument sign. All you need is a digital photograph! By analyzing the highlights and shadows of the image, an exact replica can be crafted.
Monument sign manufacturers like Shine On Signs are able to creatively build your sign to reflect your business and appear high-end, and we’ll do it without breaking the bank. A sturdy, nearly indestructible outer shell ensures a long lifespan with minimal need for care and repair.
Maintenance, who? Other than cleaning, you won’t have to sweat over your monument sign upkeep.
Ready to create your custom monument? Get a free quote HERE.
Check out some of our monuments HERE.