Glass Neon vs LED Neon Signs : What's the difference & which is best? (2024)

FAQs

Glass Neon vs LED Neon Signs : What's the difference & which is best? ›

Traditional glass neon signs can be used but usually aren't due to the size, weight, fragility and cost, not to mention the installation requirements. LED signage, on the other hand, is quite durable, lightweight and easy to transport safely.

The most obvious difference is that traditional neon signs use glass tubing, which is prone to breakage. On the flip-side, LED signs are created using strips of light emitting diodes which, when strung together, give off a neon-like effect.

LED neon, on the other hand, can closely mimic the appearance of glass neon but may have a slightly different quality of light. Some people prefer the traditional look of glass neon, while others find LED neon to be a suitable alternative.

Traditional neon lights have a life expectancy of about 10,000 hours. That means that you will need to plan to change the lights periodically based on how much you use the sign. LED lights have a life expectancy that is three times longer, which means that you won't have to replace them nearly as often.

Most neon signs are expected to last between eight and 15 years, although many continue to function for much longer than that. Leaving a sign switched on for prolonged periods can shorten its lifespan, and leave it at risk of overheating or sustaining damage from electrical surges.

LED neon signs like NeonPlus® are around 80% more energy efficient than traditional neon signs, using far less power and giving off only an inconsequential amount of heat. As they also tend to made from materials which are fully recyclable, they have a smaller carbon footprint.

Long answer: As all of our signs use LED Neon , they have a very low voltage – 12 volts to be exact. As a result, they produce minimal to no heat, even when they've been on for days or weeks on end. The most they heat up is a slight warmth to touch after being on for extended periods of time.

First introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1910, neon signage spread to widespread use, but declined after a few decades. By the 1960s, most businesses went away from neon signs because they were so expensive and fragile.

More Expensive – The size and complexity of your design will determine the cost of the neon business sign. However, a neon sign will be more expensive than an LED sign. Cost More To Run – Running neon lights is more costly than running LED signage.

Can you leave neon signs on all the time? ›

The sign's power transformation will wear out much sooner if your sign is continually turned on and off every day. Since neon signs use electrodes rather than heated filaments, they don't get hot and won't pose a fire danger.

LED neon lights are known for their impressive lifespan, usually lasting between 50,000 to 100,000 hours. This means they can operate for many years, even with daily use. Their longevity surpasses traditional neon lights, making them a cost-effective and reliable option for both personal and commercial use.

Unfortunately, neon fell off the popularity charts again in the 2000s. The once-appealing glaring light of neon signs became a sight too common. Soon, cheaper alternatives started coming around, like LED lighted signs.

If you continuously run a sign for 12 hours, a foot of red neon sign would typically use about 15.33 to 17.52-kilowatt-hours of electricity per year while a fluorescent model will take up 50 percent more than that.

Over time, the gas content of the neon tube may decrease due to physical processes. Theoretically, it is possible to refill the gas. However, since this is a logistically and financially very costly undertaking, it is usually more efficient to replace the glass element in question.

Why did my neon sign stop working? This could be due to a broken tube, a faulty transformer, or loose connections. If your neon sign flickers or stops working entirely, these are common culprits.

Neon sign costs have everything to do with how they're made. While all of our LED signs are still handmade with love, the traditional production method of blowing glass and filling that glass with gas is not how we do it. Much of the high cost of traditional neon signs is a result of how rare they are now.

Generally, each LED inside of our LED Flex Neon has a lifespan of up to 40,000 hours of use. Meaning that our signs can last for up to 40,000 hours or 4 years of illumination. Gradually over the course of use the LEDs will fade to a gentle light and switch off, this takes some serious use first though!

Neon signs need their gases refilled from time to time, which can be an expensive maintenance price tag. LEDs can last upwards of 10 years without eating into your profits with upkeep costs. LED signs use, on average, five to 10 times less power than neon signs while shining brighter!