Few sign types say established as quietly as a name spelled out in metal on the wall.
Metal letters are individual dimensional letters cut or fabricated from metal and mounted to a wall, either flat or standing off it. They are the sign type law firms, medical practices, hotels and corporate offices choose when they want a name to look permanent and considered.
They are also one of the more misunderstood sign types. Two sets of letters that look alike in a rendering can differ a lot in weight, cost and how they age, depending on the metal, the way they are made and the finish. This guide explains the choices so the letters you approve are the ones that suit the wall and the setting.
Where Metal Letters Work Best
Metal letters suit places where the sign is read from a modest distance and the setting itself is part of the impression:
- Reception and lobby walls: the company name behind the front desk, often with a standoff mount that casts a shadow.
- Building entrances: the building name or address over the door or on a monument.
- Storefronts with a premium look: boutiques, salons and restaurants that want lettering without a lit cabinet.
- Directories and suites: smaller letters naming a tenant beside a suite door.
For signs that must be read from a road at night, illuminated channel letters are usually the better fit, and metal letters can be halo lit when a quieter glow is wanted.
Choosing the Metal
| Metal | Look | Indoor or outdoor | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Light, takes paint and brushed finishes well | Both | Low, does not rust |
| Stainless steel | Bright brushed or polished silver | Both, best for exterior | Low, resists corrosion |
| Brass | Warm gold tone | Indoor, outdoor if sealed | Tarnishes unless lacquered |
| Bronze | Deep warm brown, traditional | Both | Develops a patina outdoors |
Aluminum
Aluminum is the workhorse. It is light, does not rust and takes painted finishes in any brand color, so it suits large letters and exterior walls where weight matters. Brushed aluminum gives a clean modern look at a lower cost than stainless.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has a crisper, brighter finish than aluminum and holds up well outdoors and near the coast. It is heavier and harder to work, which shows up in the price, but it is the usual choice when a polished or brushed silver finish must survive the weather.
Brass and Bronze
Brass and bronze give the warm, traditional look associated with law firms, banks and historic buildings, and the National Park Service guidance on signs for historic buildings shows why metal lettering suits older storefronts. Brass tarnishes unless it is lacquered, and outdoor lacquer eventually wears and needs renewing. Bronze is often left to darken naturally, which many clients prefer. See our Metal Letters page for finish samples.
Cut Letters or Fabricated Letters
Metal letters are made in two main ways, and the difference affects both look and price.
Cut letters are cut from a single flat sheet or plate, usually by router, laser or waterjet. They have crisp edges and a flat face, and thicker plate gives a bolder edge. They suit small and medium letters and fine detail.
Fabricated letters are built up from a face and separate returns, creating a hollow letter with deeper sides. They look substantial without the weight of solid metal, which makes them the choice for large letters and for letters that need to be lit from behind.
Mounting Methods
How the letters meet the wall changes how they look as much as the metal does:
- Flush mount: the letters sit tight to the wall on hidden studs for a crisp, flat look.
- Standoff mount: the letters sit a short distance off the wall on spacers, creating a shadow that adds depth.
- Rail or raceway mount: the letters attach to a rail that is fixed to the wall, used where the wall cannot take many holes.
- Halo lighting: fabricated letters with LEDs behind them throw light onto the wall for a soft glow at night.
A paper pattern taped to the wall before installation shows exactly where each letter and stud will go, which prevents uneven spacing and extra holes.
Cost and Lifespan
Metal letters cost more than painted PVC or acrylic letters of the same size, mainly because of the material and the finishing. In return they last for many years, keep their edges, and rarely need replacing for wear alone.
Most of the long term cost is in finish care. Brushed aluminum and stainless need only occasional cleaning, while lacquered brass outdoors needs the lacquer renewed when it starts to fail. Our guide to outdoor sign materials for New Jersey and NYC weather compares how each holds up outside.
Common Questions About Metal Letters
Can metal letters be used outdoors?
Yes. Aluminum, stainless steel and bronze all hold up outdoors. Brass can be used outside if it is lacquered, but the lacquer wears with sun and weather and will need renewing.
Will brass letters tarnish?
Uncoated brass will darken over time, faster outdoors. A clear lacquer slows this down, and some clients choose to let brass age naturally for a traditional look.
Can metal letters be lit?
Fabricated metal letters can be halo lit, with LEDs behind each letter lighting the wall. Solid cut letters are usually lit by external lights instead.
How are metal letters attached to the wall?
Usually with threaded studs on the back of each letter set into drilled holes with adhesive. Standoff spacers hold them away from the wall when a shadow effect is wanted.
Are metal letters more expensive than acrylic letters?
Usually, yes. The material and finishing cost more, but metal letters last longer and keep a more premium look, which is why they are chosen for lobbies and building names, from Princeton office signs for law firms to Manhattan lobby signs for corporate tenants.
Do I need a permit for metal letters?
Exterior letters usually count as a wall sign and need a sign permit in most New Jersey towns. Interior lobby letters generally do not. Our guide on whether business signs need a permit in New Jersey explains the process.
Metal Letters Made in Linden
Gogi Signs cuts, fabricates, finishes and installs metal letters for lobbies, offices and storefronts across New Jersey and New York City, with a full size pattern for approval before anything is drilled.
See our Metal Letters page for materials and finishes, browse the gallery of installed signs, then request a free quote with a photo of the wall.
