How to Fit a Foamex or Aluminium Sign
Updated ·3 min read
Small, light signs such as Foamex boards and stand-off panels are straightforward to fit yourself on a sound, flat surface, using fixings suited to the wall and the size of the sign. Fascia signs, signtrays, projecting signs and anything that has to go up at height are best fitted by a professional: tick installation at checkout and our team will confirm a price for your site.
What arrives
Our flat Foamex signs and flat aluminium signs are printed, finished and cut to size, ready to fix or display. You can add rounded corners on the product page, which give a softer look.
Our brushed aluminium and clear acrylic stand-off panels are made to be mounted on metal stand-off fixings, so the panel sits slightly away from the wall for a clean, raised look.
Before you start
- Permission: you need the permission of the building owner or landlord, and an outdoor sign may need advertisement consent.
- The surface: fix to a sound, flat surface. Loose render, rotten timber or crumbling brickwork will not hold a sign securely.
- What is behind the wall: check for hidden cables and pipes before you drill.
- Position: mark the position and check it is level before you fix anything. A second person holding the sign in place helps you judge it from a distance.
- Safety: if the sign goes above head height, use proper access equipment and a second person, or book professional installation.
Flat fixing or stand-offs
Signs can be fixed flat to a wall or door, or mounted on metal stand-offs so they sit slightly away from it.
- Flat fixing is the simplest option and suits most Foamex and aluminium panels, from information boards to fascia panels.
- Stand-offs give a floating, premium look that suits reception logos, entrance signs and nameplates.
The right fixings depend on the wall, whether brick, block, timber, plasterboard or an existing fascia, and on the size and weight of the sign and whether it is inside or out. If you are unsure, ask us before you order and we will recommend the right fixings for your site.
Foamex or aluminium: what changes
Foamex is a lightweight PVC foam board, so it is easy to handle and fix, and it is best suited to indoor signs and shorter-term outdoor use. It comes in 3mm, 5mm, 10mm and 19mm, and the thicker boards give a chunkier, more solid panel for displays.
Aluminium composite is a rigid, lightweight panel that stays flat and stands up to the weather, so it is the right choice for a permanent outdoor sign. Our sign materials guide compares them in more detail, and our guide to indoor and outdoor signs covers which suits where.
Signs that need no fitting
Many of our products need no specialist fitting at all. Pavement A-boards and roller banners stand on their own, and PVC banners are hemmed with eyelets for hanging on fences, railings and shopfronts.
When to book professional installation
We recommend professional installation for:
- fascia signs and signtrays
- anything fixed above head height or over a public pavement
- projecting signs, which need a secure fixing to a sound wall
- illuminated signs, which also need power
- large panels and multi-sign jobs
Tick professional installation at checkout and nothing is charged for it there. Our team contacts you to discuss your site and confirm a price, bigger jobs may need a site survey first, and delivery is included when we install. We install UK-wide from our Manchester production HQ.
Common questions
Can I fit a sign myself?
Yes, many signs are straightforward to fit yourself, such as stand-off panels and smaller flat panels on a sound wall. If you are unsure about a fixed sign, ask us before you order.
How much does sign installation cost?
Installation is quoted per job, because it depends on the site, access and fixings. Tick installation at checkout and our team will confirm a price. Delivery is included when we install.
Can I fix a Foamex sign outside?
Yes, for shorter-term use. For a sign that needs to last outdoors for years, choose a flat aluminium sign instead.
Do I need permission to put up a sign?
You always need the building owner's or landlord's permission. Many non-illuminated signs can go up without an application, but some need advertisement consent, so read our planning permission guide first.
