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Signs Matter in your Community

Why Signs Matter: The Power of Visual Communication in Residential Communities

Recently, Signwave created and distributed a brochure to residential property managers. The purpose of the brochure was to ignite a conversation regarding why signs matter, and why you need a professional sign company to manage your community’s signage. But brochures have limited space and logically focus on photography, so we’re taking an opportunity now to focus on the details. No matter if you’ve found us through the brochure, or a social media link, or a Google search, here’s a little more detail about why we’re passionate about community signage.

   

 

1. They Enhance Safety and Compliance

Safety signs for the crosswalk and garage door height assist drivers at Fountaingate Gardens

Clear, visible signage can significantly reduce liability and improve resident safety. From pedestrian crossing signs to pool safety rules and fire exit instructions, signs help you meet local codes and regulations while keeping residents informed and secure. Safety signs are especially important in high-traffic areas like parking lots, stairwells, and common spaces.

2. They Improve Wayfinding and First Impressions

Painted, carved PVC signage helps visitors and delivery personnel find addresses at the Fisherman’s Wharf private community in Babylon

Imagine a new resident or delivery driver pulling into your property. Can they easily find the leasing office, guest parking, or Unit 244? The last thing you want is a delay for an emergency response vehicle. Directional and unit identification signage makes navigation simple, reducing frustration and traffic issues. For prospective tenants, polished and professional signage signals that the property is well-managed and thoughtfully maintained.

3. They Reinforce Community Rules and Expectations

Pool regulation signage is an important requirement for safety, but it can still match the community signage aesthetic

No one wants to constantly nag residents about noise levels, pet policies, or parking rules. Signs are a tactful, neutral reminder around the clock for community expectations. Whether it’s a Quiet Hours sign in a hallway or pool regulations, signage promotes shared responsibility and mutual respect among residents.

4. They Strengthen Brand and Aesthetic Appeal

Halo lit dimensional letters for upscale condominiums, Woodbury NY

A Welcome That WOWS – stunning halo lit dimensional letters for upscale condominiums, Woodbury NY

Your signage is part of your property’s brand. A beautifully designed monument sign at the entrance can create a sense of arrival and boost curb appeal. Elegant street signs demonstrate that you put thought and care into the property and all its residents. A consistent aesthetic across the property promotes a feeling of harmony.

5. They Support Accessibility and Inclusion

Clear emergency signage, including Braille, provides accessibility and safety to all

Inclusive signage is more than just nice to have. It’s imperative. Braille on room signs, clearly marked accessible entrances, and multilingual notices demonstrate your commitment to serving a diverse resident population and complying with ADA regulations.

 

Investing in quality signage is one of the simplest ways to enhance your property’s function and feel, making life better for everyone who lives, visits, or works there. If you need a signage overhaul or just want to investigate what signage can do for your residential community, call Signwave for a free on-site consultation.

New Traffic Sign Laws that WILL Affect Your Community Signage

It has always been true that traffic signs on roadways where the public has access, from shopping centers to hospitals to hotels, must conform to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This affects color, size, design, reflectivity, and installation. Recent changes to the laws now proscribe that certain materials, often used for private community signage, are no longer acceptable for use on these thoroughfares, even those behind access-only gates. For example, carved wood and HDU signage, while beautiful and easy-care, are now unlawful.

Stop signs come in multiple sizes and reflectivity grades…which one is right for your property?

Why should this draw the attention of property owners and facility managers? Consider this: the largest group of people who purchase the MUTCD is…LAWYERS. Because 21% of all insurance claims are on private property, resulting in an average of 1,200 fatalities per year, law professionals want to be up to date on how to hold property owners and managers responsible for payouts due to negligence. If you aren’t up to code, it could be you who is held financially responsible for injuries due to noncompliant signage. Also, local authorities are being called upon to do more rigorous inspections and issue more and higher fines for noncompliance.

If you own or manage:

  • apartment, office, or condominium complexes
  • universities
  • local school districts
  • shopping centers
  • sport complexes
  • restaurants
  • or any other property with public vehicle access

then the public access roadways on your property are governed by the MUTCD standards.

The good news is that sign shop owners are well aware of these changing standards, and have the knowledge to help you make the correct, compliant choices for your roadway signage. We can conduct a thorough assessment of your existing signage and devices to determine which ones don’t make the cut. We can design, fabricate, and install new signage that is the correct material, reflectivity, and size at the correct height and visibility. We can help alleviate your fears regarding liability and let you focus on the many tasks a property manager needs to perform.

Call Signwave at 631-761-9292 and let us start the process today, and ask us how we can create more beautiful street signs for you as well while we’re there.

Illuminated Letter Sets: Adding A Shine To Your Residential Luxury Property Signage

The first impression that visitors and prospective tenants have of your condominium, gated community or other luxury estate development is the most impactful, and your property signage will help deliver the impression of refinement that your residents crave. An upgrade to illuminated entrance signage for your property may be just the kind of burnishing that your development needs to enhance your property’s ambiance and brand to the next level.

Custom Metallic Letter Finish

Letter finish is so important to the overall impression of your site signage and will have a lasting impact, day or night. For our recent project at The Preserve in Woodbury, NY, we selected a titanium-coated, brushed gold finish for the stainless steel lettersets that flank their property entrance. The glint of the finish of their property signage signals luxury to all residents and visitors. The electroplating and coatings provide resistance to weather and corrosion for many years to come. With a wide variety of custom finish options available, you can be sure to find the exact right look that suits your environment.

Halo Lit Letter Construction

channel letter diagram

But the real WOW effect begins when the sun goes down. Contained within the cavity of each letter “can” is a series of LED modules. The insides of the letters have a reflective white coating to assure an even reverse-lit effect without hotspots or shadows. The letter backs are constructed from clear shatter-resistant plastics.the letters are spaced off the wall with specialty posts to create the halo glow behind when the letter is powered on. LEDs are available in various colors and temperatures.

Complete Sign Service

closeup view of The Preserve sign day and night version

Your professional sign company will align all the moving parts of the project to make it simple for you. From expediting the required permit applications, proposing designs and finishes, providing sample letters for your review, fabrication, working with your site management, installation, electrical service if required, a full service sign company like Signwave will assure that you are satisfied with the entire process, and especially with the final product.

When you are ready to consider illuminated lettersets for your luxury community please give Signwave a call at 631.761.9292. We offer free design consultation for new customers.

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