Why cheap signage often fails – and how to make sure yours stands the test of time
External signage is often one of the first things people notice about a business. It creates an immediate impression and sets expectations before anyone steps through the door.
Yet many organisations choose signage based on upfront cost alone, only to find that it fades, cracks or deteriorates far sooner than expected. You’ve probably walked past plenty of these signs yourself and wondered why the store owner hasn’t fixed it yet.
January is a great reminder of why this happens. Cold temperatures, heavy rain, occasional ice and snow, wind and low light levels all put external signs under pressure. In the frigid English winter months, where weather conditions can be harsh and unpredictable, choosing the right materials and finishes is essential.
Having been in the sign industry for as long as we have, we’ve often been asked to create new signage for customers who opted for cheaper materials that barely lasted beyond the first year. In this guide, we look at why cheap signage might save money upfront, but it usually costs more in the long run.
The risk of cheap materials
Low-cost signs are often made with thin substrates, low-grade vinyl and weak adhesives. They fade, warp or peel when exposed to sunlight, weather and temperature changes. Print quality is often poor too, with dull colours, low resolution and finishes that reflect light badly, making signs hard to read.
Key design considerations
Design is another common issue. Without professional input, signs can suffer from poor contrast, cluttered layouts and fonts that simply aren’t legible at a distance. If a sign can’t be read in a few seconds, it’s not doing its job. Cheap signage is also more likely to be poorly installed, leading to misalignment, early damage or even safety concerns.
The impact of winter weather
UK winter weather is one of the toughest tests for signage. Cold temperatures, constant moisture and sudden weather changes expose weaknesses quickly, especially in cheaper signs. Rain, frost and condensation can penetrate low-quality materials, causing vinyl to lift, adhesives to fail and substrates to swell or delaminate. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles put extra stress on panels and fixings, leading to cracking, warping or movement over time.
Shorter daylight hours and low winter sun also affect visibility. Signs with poor contrast, faded colours or glossy finishes can become difficult to read in gloomy conditions or harsh glare. Wind is another overlooked factor.
Winter storms place additional strain on poorly secured signage, increasing the risk of loosening, vibration or outright failure. Well-made signage is designed with these conditions in mind, using weather-resistant materials, durable fixings and finishes that maintain legibility all year round.
Meeting British signage standards
British Standard BS 559 is the UK standard for sign design and construction of signage. BS 559 (recently updated as BS 559-1:2023) is the British Standard covering the design, manufacture and installation of interior and exterior signs for publicity, decorative or general purposes. It applies to both illuminated and non-illuminated signs, whether fixed or portable.
Service life and durability
BS 559 emphasises selecting materials and construction methods that meet defined service life requirements, which inherently covers performance under expected environmental conditions, including wind, rain, frost and temperature changes typical of UK winters. Materials must resist degradation across their intended lifespan.
Material specifications
The standard lays out criteria for suitable materials, including plastics, metals and coatings, which should maintain performance outdoors. For example, low-grade materials that deteriorate quickly in rain or frost would not meet BS 559 requirements, because they won’t achieve the intended service life. Choosing appropriate substrates and surface treatments helps prevent common winter issues such as cracking, delamination or fading.
Design & installation requirements
BS 559 also guides how signs should be constructed and installed, including factors such as mechanical fixings and structural support, resistance to wind and weather loadings, correct sealing and edge protection and working with films and surface materials (e.g., vinyl). In the UK’s winter climate, poor sealing or weak fixings will quickly lead to water ingress and movement; something BS 559 aims to mitigate through design and installation best practice.
Choosing the right materials
The performance of a sign is only as good as the materials it’s made from. With the variable British weather, material choice isn’t cosmetic; it’s critical. Outdoor signage must cope with constant moisture, temperature fluctuations, UV exposure and wind loading.
Low-grade plastics, thin composites and cheap vinyls may look acceptable at first, but they degrade quickly, leading to fading, warping, delamination and adhesive failure. Material selection also affects legibility. Matte or satin finishes reduce glare in low winter sun, while proper contrast ensures signs remain readable in poor light and wet conditions.
High-quality signage uses materials selected for durability and purpose. At Signs Now, we prevent these issues by using weather-resistant substrates that won’t swell or distort, UV-stable finishes that retain colour and clarity, industrial-grade vinyls and adhesives designed for long-term exterior use and corrosion-resistant fixings suitable for year-round exposure.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help ensure your sign stands the test of time. Call our team on 0845 9000 409 or drop us a note through our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.