There are many factors to consider when ordering and mounting signage at your hotel. We’ve gathered a list of common issues we have encountered in our 30+ years in the hospitality signage industry for you to use as a guide. Whether you are in charge of a single property or multiple properties, here’s a list of do’s and don’ts to be aware of.
1. Do make sure all your outdoor signage is sturdy
Interior and exterior signage are not constructed with the same material. You can commonly find exterior signage to be constructed using solid surface materials, which allows these signs to be more durable and also better withstand severe weather. HOTELSIGNS.com lists whether each sign is suitable for interior and/or exterior use—an easy way to double-check that you are selecting the right outdoor signage.
2. Do not install exterior signs under certain weather conditions.
Make sure the weather is suitable for outdoor sign installation. If the weather is too cold or too hot, the extremes in temperature may lead the signs to not be affixed to your surface properly. For example, if you are doing an exterior ADA installation under colder weather conditions, make sure that is not too cold for the adhesives to cure. We highly recommend using silicone adhesive in addition to foam tape, as it will not cure in freezing temperatures.
3. Do double-check that your signage is ADA-compliant.
Not only is ADA compliance mandated within the United States as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but ensuring your signs are ADA-compliant greatly helps guests who are physically handicapped and/or have little to low vision. For example, something to keep in mind is making sure your sign’s font is free of serifs, which are small lines at the ends of characters, and are harder for those who are visually-impaired to view. Per guidelines set forth by the ADA, your sign’s raised characters must be uppercase, sans serif, and free of oblique, script or italic characters.
4. Do not order a sign design that will not be in style in 5-7 years.
While it may be tempting to order trendy colors, it is much more practical to order signs that match your property’s décor (or branding). Make sure the signage you order is consistent in style and color scheme. If you are ordering signs in stages, look at past orders to ensure your property’s sign style stays consistent.
5. Do install your tactile signs at the approved ADA height.
It is a federal requirement to install tactile signs between 48 inches minimum above the floor, measured from the baseline of the lowest braille cells, and 60 inches maximum above the floor, measured from the baseline of the highest line of raised characters. This also ensures maximum sign visibility for your hotel’s guests and employees. We recommend mounting signs in your hotel at 54’’ above the floor on the latch side of the door for both ADA compliance and visual consistency. Mounting tactile signs on the latch side prevents them from being obscured by open or swinging doors.
6. Do not merely ‘eye’ your sign to make sure it’s at the right height or position.
Instead, use levels and rulers to ensure your signs are straight and are installed at an ADA-compliant height. We suggest purchasing a sign setter or level to help you mount your signs.
7. Do give yourself plenty of time to order signs for your hotel property.
Unlike carpet or wallpaper, every sign you order is completely custom to your hotel. This includes the sign color, the text color, and most importantly, the verbiage on each sign. Full property orders can include over 400 or 500 signs, and the process is more multi-faceted. You first need a property quote and to choose your signs, which can take up to 2 weeks. Then fulfilling the order takes between 5-7 weeks. It is always wiser to buy signs earlier than to realize your package will arrive weeks later than anticipated.
8. Do schedule a site survey.
Site surveys and walkthroughs are a great way for your sign provider to get a better feel for the condition of your hotel building, allowing them to be aware of potentially tricky installation issues to address.
9. Do not skimp on signage.
Order enough signage to provide a consistent and thorough wayfinding system to your employees and guests. Not ordering enough signage may lead to your guests not knowing where to go. If you’re on a tight budget, ask sign providers (like HOTELSIGNS.com) to recommend their budget-friendly sign collections, so that you can outfit your hotel with signs while also sticking to your budget (and perhaps coming away with the extra money saved).
10. Do have sufficient space in your building to install room identification signs.
Signs should not be mounted near a corner or in a place that can be obscured by an open door. A common problem that arises is insufficient space beside the doors.
11. Do not use other forms of sealants to mount signs.
A particular kind of sealant to avoid is Liquid Nail, which may destroy the wall vinyl and perhaps even the drywall. We suggest using both adhesive tape and silicone construction adhesive to mount heavy signs to surfaces.
12. Do consider custom signage for your property.
If you do not find the sign style you are looking for, most hospitality sign providers (including HOTELSIGNS.com) are delighted to work with your brand standards and create a custom sign style. Don’t be too shy to ask! At HOTELSIGNS.com, our favorite hospitality projects are custom quotes and designs—we love seeing our customers be wowed by their custom ADA-compliant, attractive, and sturdy signs.
13. Do not underestimate the costs for a site visit.
You may find that the actual site visit takes longer than budgeted. You also need to account for the possibility of multiple trips. For example, the sign provider may arrive at the site, only to find out that the property is not ready for install, or that only half the floors are ready. Always be sure to outline exactly how many trips are included in the installation price, and what additional trips will cost if the property is not ready for install.
14. Do keep local and state building codes in mind.
Occasionally local and state building codes will go above and beyond ADA regulations. Consult with your local building inspector to make sure that you are following all relevant codes for your hotel—building, fire, and pool codes alike. Also, check with your sign provider—a good sign provider will have regulation and ADA compliance experts on staff, able to assist customers in adhering to codes and laws. We at HOTELSIGNS.com are proud to have a full-time regulation compliance advisor to serve our customers.
Check out the following resources from HOTELSIGNS.com for additional information regarding signage ordering, mounting, and ADA compliance:
https://www.hotelsigns.com/ada-guidelines
https://www.hotelsigns.com/sign-installation
Ready to order ADA-compliant interior and exterior signs for your hotel? Need a second pair of eyes to make sure you are ordering all the necessary signs? Start the process today with HOTELSIGNS.com! Give us a call at 888.273.8726 or email us at emailus@hotelsigns.com, and one of our dedicated customer service or regulation compliance artisans will be eager to help you get started on your signage journey.