Home Metal, aluminum and HDU signs
Metal and HDU signs in Raleigh, NC
Aluminum, brushed metal and carved HDU are what lasting outdoor signs are made of. We use them for panels, letters, plaques and carved signs across the Triangle.
- 4.9 from 91 Google reviews
- Locally owned since 2009
- Permits handled for you
- Serving the whole Triangle
Materials that handle the weather
North Carolina brings hot sun, humidity and heavy storms, which is hard on wood and cheap plastic. Metal signs and HDU signs are the usual answer. Aluminum does not rust, takes paint well and stays flat. HDU, short for high density urethane, is a dense foam board that carves like wood but will not rot, and it shrugs off moisture.
Many of the best signs combine them. A carved HDU panel with raised, painted letters can sit in an aluminum frame on aluminum posts. A brushed aluminum plaque can be mounted to a stone wall. We choose each material for the part of the sign it suits, finish it in your colors and install it.
Both materials stay good-looking with little upkeep. A painted HDU sign can be repainted years later to freshen its colors, and aluminum panels can be refinished or replaced without rebuilding the whole sign.
What we make in metal and HDU
Carved HDU signs
Letters, borders and artwork carved in relief, then painted. The look of a carved wood sign without the rot.
Raised letter panels
Raised letters and line art on a shaped panel, painted or finished in metallic colors.
Carved post and panel signs
A carved panel between posts at the road, for restaurants, offices and practices.
Aluminum panels
Painted aluminum with printed or vinyl graphics. Light, flat and rustproof, for wall and post signs.
Flat-cut metal letters
Letters cut from solid aluminum or steel plate and mounted flush or on standoffs.
Plaques
Brushed aluminum and bronze plaques for building entrances, stone walls and recognition.
Aluminum, metal finishes or HDU
- Choose aluminum when
- you want a flat, crisp sign that will not rust, at a sensible price. It is the frame inside most signs anyway.
- Choose brushed metal or bronze when
- the sign is small, close to people and needs to feel formal: plaques, lobbies, law and medical offices.
- Choose HDU when
- you want depth: raised letters, carved borders and a hand-made, traditional look.
- Combine them
- An HDU face on an aluminum frame, or metal letters on a carved panel, gets you the best of each.
Carved and metal signs we've built
Encore Salon & Day SpaCarved post and panel sign
New Hartford PsychologicalCarved post and panel sign
Bingham's RestaurantCarved post and panel sign
Bongiorno & SonCarved wall sign with gooseneck lights
From drawing to installed sign
You approve the drawing, the colors and the finish before anything is cut or carved.
Site visit
We come out, measure, check sight lines and look up the sign rules for your property, city and HOA.
Design
You get a drawing of the sign on your building or site, with materials, colors and lighting worked out.
Permits
We prepare the site plans and drawings and handle the permit with the City of Raleigh or your town.
Build
The sign is made from commercial-grade materials chosen for North Carolina weather.
Install
Our crew sets foundations, runs electrical for lit signs and leaves the site clean.
Metal and HDU sign questions
Are metal signs good for outdoor use?
Yes. Aluminum metal signs do not rust, stay flat and hold paint for years, which is why most outdoor sign frames and panels are aluminum. Brushed finishes and bronze are better kept for plaques and areas close to people.
What is HDU?
High density urethane, a rigid foam board made for sign carving. It can be carved like wood into raised letters and borders, but it does not rot, split or absorb water.
Will an aluminum sign rust?
No. Aluminum does not rust. Painted aluminum can chalk or fade after many years in full sun, and it can be repainted.
Can metal or HDU signs be lit?
Yes. Carved and metal signs are usually lit from outside with gooseneck lights or ground spotlights, which shows off the depth of the carving.
How does carved HDU compare to a wood sign?
It looks very close once painted, but it will not rot, warp or attract insects. Wood signs need more upkeep in North Carolina humidity.
What areas do you serve?
We're based in North Raleigh and work across the Triangle, including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Garner, Morrisville and Fuquay-Varina.
Get a free metal or HDU sign quote
Tell us what you need and where it goes. Carlo will get back to you with questions or a price.
- Free quote, no obligation
- We handle the permit
- Design, build and install in one shop
Rather talk it through?
Call 919-696-0353