Choosing the right exterior sign for your business depends on your visibility needs, storefront layout, local regulations, and brand identity.
On Long Island, the businesses that see the best results typically choose a sign type that pairs strong visibility with proper placement — such as channel letters for storefronts, pylon signs for shopping centers, and monument signs for professional buildings.
Valle Signs helps business owners choose the right sign by evaluating their property, compliance requirements, and branding so they can make a confident decision without guesswork.
Choosing the Right Sign Can Feel Overwhelming
Most Long Island business owners come to us feeling exactly the same way:
“I know I need a sign… but how do I choose the right one?”
“What type of sign will give me the visibility I need?”
“Is a pylon sign too much for my location?”
You’re not alone. A sign is a real investment — and the last thing you want is to choose the wrong style, size, or lighting and regret it later.
At Valle Signs, we’ve helped thousands of business owners across Nassau, Suffolk, and NYC find the sign that finally gets them seen. If you’re unsure where to start, this guide will walk you through exactly what matters.
1. Start With Your Visibility Needs
Before you think about materials or lighting, ask one simple question:
Where do my customers see my business first?
Your sign should match the way people find you.
High-traffic roads or multi-tenant shopping centers
Best options:
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Double-sided illuminated pylon signs
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Monument signs with lighting
These signs rise above visual clutter and help tenants stand out in competitive corridors.
Storefronts facing a parking lot or sidewalk
Best options:
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Channel letters (lit, halo-lit, or front-lit)
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Blade signs (for perpendicular walk-by visibility)
Businesses with limited frontage
Best options:
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Standard wall signs
If you’re not sure which visibility challenges your storefront has, we can assess it for you — most owners aren’t sure until they see the difference on-site.
2. Understand Local Regulations and Permit Requirements
This is where almost every project gets complicated.
Every town, village, and city across Long Island has its own:
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Size restrictions
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Height limits
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Lighting rules
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Zoning requirements
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Multi-tenant design guidelines
Choosing the wrong sign type can delay your project for weeks — or even lead to denial.
Valle Signs handles your permit expediting so you never have to navigate this alone. We know how hard it is to manage regulations, especially when you’re trying to open or upgrade your business. We take care of the paperwork, measurements, drawings, and submissions so you can focus on your operation.
3. Choose the Sign Type That Matches Your Brand Identity
Visibility matters — but so does how you want your business to look.
Channel Letters
Modern, clean, and highly customizable. Perfect for retail, fitness, restaurants, and service businesses.
Halo-Lit Channel Letters
A premium, elevated look ideal for boutique shops, salons, medical offices, and professional practices.
Light Box Signs
Great for businesses that need strong illumination and eye-catching graphics.
Pylon Signs
Ideal for shopping centers, plazas, commercial corridors, car dealerships, and properties that need long-distance visibility.
Monument Signs
Perfect for corporate offices, medical buildings, schools, industrial parks, and community organizations.
Awnings & Canopies
Functional AND visible — great for restaurants, cafés, and building entrances.
If you look at your building and think, “I’m not sure what fits,” we can walk you through a few design options so you can see what aligns with your brand.
4. Consider Lighting and Energy Efficiency
Exterior signs perform best when lighting is chosen intentionally.
LED Lighting (Most Popular)
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Energy-efficient
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Long-lasting
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Bright and crisp at night
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Ideal for channel letters, pylon signs, and box signs
External Gooseneck Lighting
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Great for carved signs, gold leaf signs, and monument signs
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Gives a classic architectural look
Non-illuminated Signs
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Suitable where restrictions or budgets limit lighting
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Still customizable and effective with the right design
If you’re running a business that depends on foot traffic or evening visibility, lighting isn’t optional — it’s what helps customers find you.
5. Choose Materials That Match Your Environment
Long Island weather isn’t gentle. We see:
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High winds
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Salt air near coastal towns
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Harsh winters
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UV fading in open plazas
This determines whether you need:
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Aluminum fabrication
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Powder-coated finishes
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Polycarbonate faces
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Stainless steel hardware
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Vinyl or printed graphic panels
We’ll recommend the right materials based on your specific location and exposure. Many owners tell us they didn’t realize how much durability mattered until they saw cheaper signs wear out.
6. Think About Long-Term Maintenance
A sign isn’t just an installation — it’s something your customers rely on every day.
Consider:
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Panel replacements for multi-tenant plazas
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LED module replacements
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Cleaning and upkeep
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Repainting or refinishing
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Seasonal checkups
Choosing the right sign upfront reduces repair costs later. Valle Signs offers full maintenance and repair services so your sign continues working for your business year after year.
7. Let a Professional Team Guide You Through the Decision
Choosing a sign shouldn’t feel like guesswork — we know how stressful it can be when you’re unsure what direction to take.
Valle Signs can:
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Evaluate your property
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Recommend the right sign type
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Handle design and fabrication
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Manage your permits
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Provide installation
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Offer ongoing maintenance
When we walk owners through the options, the relief is immediate — they finally feel confident knowing the sign they choose will look great, meet code, and help their business stand out.
Ready to Choose the Right Exterior Sign? We Can Help.
If you’re looking for a sign that finally gives your business the visibility it deserves, we’d be happy to walk you through it. We understand how overwhelming this decision can feel — and we’re here to make the process simple.
Call Valle Signs today at (516) 408-3440 or request a consultation on the form below. Our top rated team make choosing the right exterior sign for your business easy, and stress free.
Valle Signs & Awnings – 55 Decker St, Copiague, NY 11726
The best sign type depends on your location, visibility needs, and building layout. We look at how customers approach your business (from the road, sidewalk, or parking lot), review local code, and then recommend options that balance visibility, branding, and budget. If you’re unsure, we can walk your property with you and narrow it down together.
Yes. Almost every town, village, and city on Long Island has its own sign code with rules for size, height, lighting, and placement. Most exterior signs require permits. Valle Signs handles the permit expediting process for you so you don’t have to guess your way through applications, drawings, and approvals.
Illuminated channel letter signs are the most popular choice for storefronts because they combine strong visibility with a clean, modern look. They can be front-lit, halo-lit, or a combination of both, and we can match your logo, brand colors, and typography so your exterior sign feels like a natural extension of your brand.
Yes. Monument and pylon signs are often the first thing drivers see from the road. A well-designed, properly lit multi-tenant sign gives every business on the property shared visibility and makes it easier for customers to find specific stores. They are especially effective on busy Long Island corridors where storefronts are set back from the street.
Absolutely. We design every sign around your existing logo, colors, and brand standards. Our team works with your artwork or helps refine it so your exterior sign feels consistent with your website, print materials, and interior branding. The goal is for customers to recognize your business instantly, whether they’re seeing you online or driving past your location.