Neon Signs Guide

Neon Signs Are Back And Better Than Ever

Whether you’re looking to make a bold statement at a big event or want to back your business with some colourful visual appeal, neon signs are a fun way to jazz up just about any space.

Neon signs have a timeless appeal that continues to captivate, blending vintage charm with modern style. From the classic glow that has illuminated plenty of streets and storefronts over the years, to today’s custom creations for homes, businesses, and events, neon lights offer an unmistakable vibrancy. These days, neon signs are more popular than ever, evolving to suit new tastes while still holding true to their iconic roots in pop culture.

In this quick read, we’ll be unpacking what makes these innovative lighting options so attractive and covering a few pressing questions you may have about these popular luminous signs.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying A Neon Sign?

Before you decide on your neon sign purchase and where to install it, you’ll want to consider a few important factors.

1. Start by considering your provider options and researching the neon sign seller’s reputation to ensure quality and reliability. At Carousel Lights, we are committed to providing exceptional lighting solutions, with a vast array of happy clients to vouch for our quality services. We are the leading supplier of outdoor neon signs in the UK, with years of experience and plenty of expertise to construct and install the neon lights of your dreams.
2. With so many options available, you’ll also want to put some thought into the type of sign you want. Whether traditional glass or LED, each comes with its own unique characteristics, so you’ll want to put some thought into which option best suits your needs and wallet. Real neon signs are hand crafted by shaping glass tubes and filling them with noble gas for a vibrant and ambient glow, whereas LED neon lights use silicone, acrylic, or plastic tubing and, of course, LED lights to simulate the look of a traditional neon sign.
3. Think about your options in terms of design and brightness level that best suits your space, and consider the power source for optimal placement.
4. Review the installation process to ensure it’s manageable and determine whether or not it requires professional assistance. When you get your neon lights from Carousel Lights, we can handle the installation on your behalf, so you won’t need to worry about the nitty-gritty, backend hassles of installing neon signs.
5. Durability is another crucial consideration, as is checking the warranty and return policy of the components to protect your investment.

Consider The Space You Want To Spruce Up

If you’re thinking of investing in personalised neon light options, consider the intended purpose of your sign. Whether it be for business promotion or room décor, referring to the intended purpose for your lights will inform where you should install them. For increasing foot traffic and attracting customers to your establishment, think about placing the neon sign in an area that is highly visible and will draw attention, like above the front entrance.

Another important factor to consider when installing your neon lights is the amount of foot traffic surrounding the space. To avoid people bumping into or knocking over your sign, be wary of where you place it, especially if it’s being installed in a busy public area. This is an important consideration for all manner of places and events, from weddings and birthdays to bars, coffee shops, retail stores and more.

Neon lights add ambience and style to the spaces they’re installed in, so if you’re adding some eye-catching lighting to your home, be sure to choose a room that may be lacking substantial décor. With custom real or LED neon lights, you can transform the mood of any room with bold colours, unique designs, and a luminous glow.

If you’re installing your custom neon sign in your own home or in a space that typically has children around, make sure that the sign is placed out of their reach. While neon lights are safe to use in homes, it’s best that they are installed out of reach of sticky fingers to avoid damage to the lights and prevent potential accidents.

How Much Should You Pay For A Neon Sign?

The price of neon signs is ultimately dependent on factors like size, design complexity, quality, and materials. Custom neon signs that are built from scratch will also often cost more than pre-bought signs, and real neon signs (glass and gas) will often be more expensive than LED neon signs (‘faux’ neon).

Why Is Neon So Expensive?

When it comes to the pricing of neon signs, most of the cost is dependent on the way in which the lights have been made. Traditional neon signs made with glass blowing and gas fillings are complex in their construction, making them more expensive than modern LED neon lights.

Is It Expensive To Run A Neon Sign?

Put simply, modern neon signs are not very expensive to run. While real neon lights might draw more power, most LED neon lights are quite affordable and energy-efficient, offering a versatile alternative to the higher-energy usage that comes with traditional neon signs.

Do Neon Signs Burn A Lot Of Electricity?

Real neon lights tend to use a fair amount of electricity, which can make them more costly to operate. LED lights, however, are typically more energy-efficient and budget-friendly, providing a flexible option compared to the higher energy consumption of classic neon signs. Keep in mind, however, costs largely vary based on factors like the sign’s size, wattage, and quality, along with the specific type.

Energy Efficient Neon Lighting

Despite common misconception, neon signs have several eco-friendly perks. If you’re looking for an energy efficient light-up sign to liven up your storefront, neon signs can be the perfect solution. Many businesses have opted for LED neon over traditional lighting sources due to their lower consumption of energy compared to regular bulbs. Neon signs use about 50% less energy than traditional bulbs, meaning they can last longer and require less electricity.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Neon Sign?

If you purchase a well-made neon sign and preserve it correctly, it should last you about 8-15 years. Depending on the usage and brightness of the sign, neon coatings last anywhere from 7-10 years.

Extending The Lifespan Of Your Neon Lights

One of the greatest benefits of neon signs is their durability. Compared to traditional bulbs, neon signs last much longer, making them a worthy investment for just about any business. While traditional lights lose their brightness over time, real neon lights maintain their glow for as long as a decade if they’re maintained correctly.

So long as you keep them in good condition, your iconic neon signs should last you quite a while. Additionally, their durability makes them ideal for outdoor signage specifically. From rainy days to the blistering heat, neon signs can withstand a range of harsh weather conditions when constructed with the outdoors in mind.

Neon Signs: The Range And The Reach

Neon signs are trending once again, and for good reason. These luminous, durable lights offer unmatched visual appeal, giving storefronts, galleries, homes, bars, and plenty of other businesses a unique glow. Whether you’re looking to add some charm to your property or a nostalgic touch to your establishment, neon signs are the way to go.

Unpacking The Timeless Appeal Of Neon Signs

While neon lights may have originated back in the 1900s and gained traction in the golden age of pop culture, neon signs have a defining look and aesthetic feel to them that transcends trends and fads. It is undisputed that these flashy signs have a powerful visual impact, especially at night. Their radiant glow is hard to miss, making them ideal for attracting customers, dazzling guests, and sprucing up whatever space they’re placed in. In today’s world, neon lights remain relevant both symbolically and stylistically. So long as art, technology, and consumer-culture continue to influence modern designs, neon signs will remain a part of the culture-landscape for many more years to come.

Neon Signs In Modern Art And Design

While neon lights have made a resurgence in the commercial world, they have also become a vibrant element in the art and design culture of today. From designers to homeowners, the luminous appeal of neon lights has influenced the artistic style of many non-commercial spaces with bold, snappy neon art installations. Whether it be a stylish centrepiece to accentuate your wedding or a lovely glow to highlight a particularly tasteful corner of your living room, neon lights have unmatched visual appeal that fashionably fuses technology and art.

Versatile And Customisable

When you decide on neon signs – and with Carousel Lights at your beck and call – customisation is among the biggest advantages. No matter the shape, design, or colour, the options are near endless, and these snazzy lights can be made to suit any style. Whether you’re looking to enhance an art piece or add some unique signage that reflects your brand’s identity, neon signs can be styled in nearly endless ways. The bendable, glass tubes of real neon signs can be manipulated into whatever shape you like, giving you the artistic freedom to find a truly unique design for your establishment. LED neon lights are equally versatile, at a slightly lower cost.

Lighting Up The Night With Neon Signs

Whether your business operates at night or not, neon signs can attract prospecting clients and advertise your storefront around the clock. The colourful, neon design of these lights make them stand out in a crowded street, especially when contrasted with the dark night sky. If you’re looking to improve the evening foot-traffic of your store, get some neon signs that will really pop at night. If you purchase a high-quality neon sign from a reputable lighting company like Carousel Lights, your sign is sure to catch the eyes of onlookers any time of day.

Vintage Artistry And Neon Signage

If you’re looking to add a nostalgic touch to your storefront, look no further than our neon lights options. Having been around for over a century, these dazzling signs are a nod to the bright possibilities of the electronic age and a blast from the past that are sure to add some essential classy style to your space. What better way to capture the timeless vintage aesthetic than with personalised neon signs? Whether they’re housed in bars, coffee shops, restaurants, or salons, custom neon lights are a go-to for attracting both younger and older generations to your space.

Neon Signs And Where They Shine

As the revival of vintage styles continues to influence modern trends, neon lights are popping up around several storefronts, especially retail stores. Whether you’re looking to attract foot traffic to your business or make an eye-catching display, neon signs can be used in a variety of creative ways. If you’re not sure how to enhance the aesthetic of your store, here’s a few ways you can use neon lights to reflect your brand identity and attract more customers:

Statement Walls

From bold taglines to custom designs, statement walls are a great way to add some extra flair to your retail store. With a well-designed backdrop and colourful lights, your customers will feel more inclined to take photos and post them online, helping you to reach a wider audience and enhance the appeal of your store. Statement walls add personality to any store, allowing businesses to reflect their brand in a more stylish way. Accent a wall with a zany tagline or well-crafted design to catch the eye of potential customers.

Enhancing The Ambience

Not sure how to set the tone of your store? Create the perfect ambiance with personalised neon lights. Whether your store has a more energetic, cosy or intimate feel, neon signs can help to enhance the atmosphere with unique designs and specific colour choices. From bright, bold hues to warm, soft colours, neon signs can transform the mood of your store, making your customers feel more comfortable and more inclined to stick around.

Illuminating Your Brand & Logo

If you want more people to remember your logo or brand name, using neon lights is one of the best ways to attract attention and reinforce brand recognition. Whether it be on the street at night or amid a crowded walkway, your storefront is sure to stand out amongst the rest when you present your logo in lights. By picking a focal point to place your neon sign, like above the front entrance, more people will be enticed to visit your store, drawn in by the familiar, stylish glow.

Custom-Made Checkout Area

Consider displaying your logo or a fun message in bright neon lights near the checkout area of your store. If you’re looking to get more creative with your neon signage beyond your storefront, the checkout area is a great space to leave your customers with a memorable, lasting impression of your business. Personalising your store with playful quotes or bold colours is sure to brighten up the space and encourage shoppers to frequent your establishment.

Highlighting Product Displays

What better way to draw attention to your best-selling products than with luminous neon creations? Whether you’re wanting to attract shoppers to items on sale or advertise your latest products, neon lights are perfect for highlighting key areas of your store. With neon lights, not only will you be able to attract customers to your most important products, but you’ll also be enhancing their shopping experience with better navigation. Give your business that special glow while guiding your customers to focal points in your store.

About Carousel Lights: Your UK Neon Sign Provider

With over 30 years of experience in the lighting and signage industry, Carousel Lights is a UK-based, widely recognised provider of custom and semi-custom neon lights, signs, and artworks with multiple industry awards. As a family-owned business, we are proud of our accomplishments in the industry – having worked with plenty of reputable brands like Loreal, Disney, Nike, and more – but what we value most is our strong reputation among our wide range of happy customers.

If you’re looking to light up your establishment or event, reach out to the Carousel Lights team today to bring your vision to life with a custom, or semi-custom neon light. Whether you need large or small, traditional neon or LED, we are a trusted UK provider touted for our award-winning quality, and are ready to help you transform your space with our neon creations.

To find out more about our neon lights and how our signage options can help your brand vision, visit our website to get a quote or drop us an email at [email protected].