| Examples of electric outdoor advertising signs are | | | | pass-through holes that need to be bored into your |
| everywhere. You can see them on any number of | | | | building's walls. |
| buildings - retail businesses, restaurants, mall stores and | | | | Pan channel letters can be mounted in several |
| hospitals, to name but a few. Nearly every business or | | | | different ways. One is to mount the individual letters |
| organization uses some form of exterior illuminated | | | | and other design elements directly to the surface of |
| signage. | | | | the building. Each letter-shaped "pan" holds its own |
| But why consider pan channel letters? Pan channel | | | | electrical components. The mounting hardware and |
| letters are fast becoming one of the most popular | | | | electrical wiring are installed behind the wall. |
| options for electric sign advertising. These lighted signs | | | | Another installation method is to mount the various |
| provide a powerful and highly visible means of | | | | letters and design components onto a raceway which |
| attracting the attention of casual passersby as well as | | | | is then installed onto the building's fascia. The raceway |
| potential customers who are actively seeking your | | | | holds the wiring and installation hardware for the letters. |
| products or services. | | | | Whichever method of installation you opt for, the letter |
| Here some important points to consider about pan | | | | pan can be covered with a plastic face or cover. Or it |
| channel letters: | | | | can be left exposed, a method called open-faced. |
| 1. LED-illuminated letters are more and more often | | | | Open-faced pan channel letters can also be reversed |
| replacing neon signs, most specifically because neon | | | | and installed so that the letter pans appear to be |
| contains mercury. For this reason, a lot of states have | | | | backlit. These types of signs are called halo-illuminated |
| curtailed or banned the use of neon tubing for | | | | channel letters. |
| environmental reasons. | | | | Another thing to be considered is the fact that laws |
| 2. LEDs also use less energy, as much as 40% less, | | | | governing business signage differ from state to state. |
| thus making monthly operational costs lower than with | | | | These laws speak to such things as a sign's size, |
| neon lights. | | | | materials used, illumination, energy usage, placement |
| 3. For LED signs, the letters don't need to be individually | | | | and installation requirements. Local communities, too, |
| hand made like neon-lit letters. | | | | may have additional zoning laws regarding signs. Be |
| 4. LED lights are more hard-wearing than neon lights, | | | | sure to check the state and local laws in your area |
| which break more easily. Repair costs would be lower | | | | before you make your final decision on your signage |
| than with neon signs. | | | | system. |
| 5. LED signs remain shining brightly in colder | | | | Every business needs some type of outdoor |
| temperatures, whereas neon lights tend to become | | | | advertising signs for attracting the attention of both |
| dimmer when temperatures drop to wintry levels. | | | | passersby and customers looking for your specific |
| 6. LEDs are easy to install, and replacement is easily | | | | product or services. Why consider pan channel letters |
| and speedily accomplished. | | | | for your outdoor signage system? The points listed |
| 7. The wiring for LED signs requires smaller | | | | above will help you decide. |