LED vs Traditional Signage intaller near me
April 9, 2025 , Peter Brittain

So here you are, in front of your store, mulling over new signs. The old sign might be looking a little tired, or maybe you have a new location and want to get it right from the start.

Here’s the thing though – when it comes to deciding whether you want to go with LED vs traditional signage, it isn’t always as simple as picking one at random.

And that’s a good thing, in fact.

For if there were a single “right” answer, we’d all have the same damn boring signs now, wouldn’t we? In fact, what works for the cafe down the street could be totally unsuitable for your business. Let’s turn to what really counts.

The Real Cost (And I Don’t Just Mean Money)

Perth LED signs can be two to five times more expensive than lightboxes or acrylic signs in Perth. This significant price difference causes many business owners to hesitate during the quoting stage.

But here’s where it becomes intriguing.

Traditional Signage Costs

Less investment upfront means you’re up and running faster. Neons, and especially the kinds of illuminated signs you see a block away, are cheaper up front but not in terms of monthly electricity bills—especially for power-hungry neons that run around the clock.

LED Signage Costs

The costs associated with energy (both monetary and environmental) are significant, but LED technology now offers much lower energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use at least 75 per cent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.

Numerous Perth companies are experiencing a 60-70% reduction in power bills after doing the switch. Within five to 10 years, the savings often recoup the higher upfront cost.

The actual question is not which is cheaper. It’s about which is going to serve your financial situation better for the time.

Three years? Traditional might win. A decade? LED sounds pretty appealing when you’re considering options for business signage in Perth.

Maintenance: The Hidden Time Vampire

Maintenance is also a significant drawback of classic signage.

Traditional signage maintenance:

  • Neon tubes and fluorescent bulbs burn out all the time, usually at the most inopportune moments.
  • Common callouts include technician payments, labour charges, and equipment rentals.
  • Repairs often cost hundreds to thousands of dollars each time.
  • Many parts require disassembly to be replaced.

LED signage maintenance:

  • Today’s systems go 50,000 to 100,000 hours with no service (6 years up to 11).
  • Failures are infrequent compared with standard lighting.
  • Modular panels can be swapped out without having to dismantle the whole sign.
  • Lower ongoing costs mean fewer sudden bills.

The sustainability gap between LED and traditional options is a real one worth considering in your decision.

At Complete Projects WA, we provide complete signage maintenance throughout Perth to ensure your signs remain in good shape, no matter what they are.

Visibility is the primary purpose of having a sign.

A sign that people can’t read clearly is just expensive wallpaper.

It’s all down to LED, and the game has really changed. Some LED signs can even be seen from several hundred metres in full Perth sunlight; this is handy if your business is located on a busy road and you need drivers to see you within three seconds.

A study out of the University of Cincinnati acknowledges how visibility is key to seeking business success.

But don’t count out classic signage. There’s a warm glow and a subtle colour variation that even an LED can’t quite match. In businesses where atmosphere is a consideration, boutique hotels, speciality bars, and vintage stores with neon often just feel more right.

Acrylic signs are lighted and placed in the middle. It’s bright enough for most uses, clean and professional-looking, with no retro gee-whiz neon connotations.

Weather Resistance: Because Perth Weather Does What It Wants

Once you have been in Perth for more than a month, you will know it is a cruel place to reside when the weather forecast is predicted. Perth experiences stifling summers, winter floods, coastal salt air, and sudden winds.

LED weather resistance:

  • There are fewer points of failure with solid-state designs.
  • No glass tubes to break, no filaments to come loose.
  • Virtually all were rated to IP65 or more in order to be able to handle the rigours of extreme environments.
  • Improved thermal stress resistance in the Perth (hot) summers.

Traditional signage weather resistance:

  • Glass parts can shatter in the heat of the summer or under thermal shock.
  • It is prone to damage from moisture, and this can cause electrical problems.
  • The support bracket rusts quicker when neglected.
  • Needs a lot more constant care to flourish in Perth.

Traditional signs can last for years when properly installed and maintained here. They take a little more attention than their LED counterparts.

Flexibility: When You Need to Actually Change Something

And here is where the LED really excels. Literally and figuratively.

You can change your message anytime you like with digital LED displays. Promoting a lunch special? Update it in minutes. Running a sale?

Change the sign. Holiday hours? No problem. For companies with dynamic messaging needs—retail, restaurant, and service businesses, for example—flexibility is worth its weight in gold.

Old-school signage: what you put in is what you get out. Want to change the message? You’ve got new fabrication, new installation, downtime and expenses. That works for businesses with steady branding. But it is constraining if you like to respond rapidly when markets change.

The Environmental Angle (It Actually Matters)

And now, let’s tackle something most businesses wouldn’t have given two flips about a decade ago: your environmental impact. Times have changed. Customers notice. And increasingly, they care.

LED environmental benefits:

  • 50 – 75% power usage reduction compared to conventional lighting.
  • Very low carbon footprint for signage that is on 12+ hours a day.
  • Lasts longer, which means replacing them less often.
  • Encloses less harmful ingredients and is more readily disposable in a responsible manner.

Traditional signage environmental concerns:

  • Greater ongoing energy use results in more CO₂.
  • Neon has mercury and by-products that require special disposal.
  • The shorter lifespan leads to more frequent replacement and waste.
  • This is less beneficial for companies that aim to promote their sustainability efforts.

The environmental benefits of LEDs are clear and tangible – which can almost serve as a selling point for Perth businesses.

Installation Complexity: What You’re Actually Signing Up For

Not all business locations are equal.

But LED signs, especially large digital displays, can be heavy and must have proper support. This makes them occasionally reliant upon power supply configurations that older buildings don’t have. It may take a few days for installation, including traffic management and the hire of equipment.

Conventional signage is typically lighter and integrates better with existing electrical installations. For heritage or structurally restricted properties, this may make all the difference. A plain glowing panel can usually be erected in a day with little disruption.

At Complete Projects WA, we often find that the building determines the type of sign required before options or dollars are considered.

Making the Decision: What Actually Matters for Your Business

You’re not working off a checklist with your business. Instead, think about these questions:

How long will you be at this place? Short lease? Traditional is a less expensive option upfront, which was probably advantageous since it would have taken a while to recoup the premium cost of paying for interest upfront. Putting down roots? LED’s long-term savings become attractive.

What’s your signage actually doing? Pure identification is perfect for traditional signage. Got something to communicate that changes or needs top-of-mind awareness? LED’s flexibility wins.

What’s your brand personality? It feels wrong to have a vintage clothing store with a slick LED display. A tech start-up with neon that has a dated feel of 20 years ago seems just as off.

How involved would you like to be? Others get a kick out of updating LED displays themselves. And some prefer the “set and forget” aspect of traditional signs. Neither approach is wrong.

Getting Expert Input (Without the Sales Pitch)

It helps to talk to seasoned installers. It’s important to do more than just receive quotes online; you should discuss in detail what you want to achieve.

At Complete Projects WA, we do not cut corners or compromise on the quality of our signage projects. More important than measuring is understanding sight lines, local regulations and weather impacts, as well as what fits your budget.

Sometimes that talk points to recommending something other than what you first wanted. But it’s better to be correct than regretful later.

The Honest Answer Nobody Wants to Hear

LED and static signs are not absolutely “better”. They are different tools for different jobs.

LED signs are the better choice if you seek lower running costs, reduced maintenance needs, greater flexibility, and increased brightness, despite their higher upfront cost.

Traditional is likely your best bet if you’re dealing with a tighter upfront budget, need a certain aesthetic that LEDs can’t recreate, have consistent messaging, or have premises limitations that make LED installation more challenging.

So often the best answer is a hybrid. Using LED for dynamic messaging and traditional signs for permanent branding is an effective approach. Many businesses in Perth use LED signs for dynamic messaging in combination with traditional signs for permanent branding. There’s no law that says you have to plant yourself in one camp and refuse to leave.

Moving Forward

Selecting signage should not be complex, but it does deserve some consideration. Think about what you actually need, not what’s in vogue. One should always think long term, not about what gets you the opening soonest.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati’s Economic Centre found that over 60% of businesses said they enjoyed increased sales due to improved visibility of their signs. Signage matters to your bottom line.

For more than 25 years, our team has been servicing Perth with sign installations and maintenance – from LED to neon and everything in between.

The right solution is not just about following trends; it should be tailored to fit the specific needs of your business, its location, and your objectives.

Bestow us with the honour of discussing your signage choices? Contact us to find the right answer for your Perth business.