A pylon sign stands at the road, out by the curb, so drivers can find you before they reach your driveway. It might name one business or list every tenant in a plaza. We build pylon signs and the lower monument-style freestanding signs, and we do all our own installations.
Pylon or monument?
Pylon signs
Pylons sit up on one or two poles, or on a wrapped column, so the sign panel is high enough to see over parked cars and traffic. They suit businesses on fast roads, properties set back from the street and shopping centers with several tenants. The cabinet can be lit from inside or left non-lit.
Monument signs
A monument sign sits low on a solid base instead of poles. Towns that cap sign height often require monuments, and they fit offices, medical buildings and communities. See Monument Signs for more.
Multi-tenant panels
On a plaza pylon, each tenant gets its own panel. When a tenant moves out, we replace only that panel. The structure stays put, so the sign lasts for years.
What goes into a pylon sign
- Zoning and permits. Height, setback from the road and sign area are set by the town or village. Most pylons need a permit, and some need a variance.
- Footing. A tall sign catches a lot of wind. The poles go into a concrete footing sized for the sign, and we locate underground utilities before anyone digs.
- Power. A lit cabinet needs a circuit run out to the sign, usually on a timer or photocell. LED lighting keeps power use and maintenance low.
- Readability. Drivers get a few seconds to read it. Keep the copy short, make the letters big enough for the road speed and use strong contrast.
- Landlord criteria. In a plaza, panel size, colors and fonts are often fixed by the property owner. Send us the criteria with your logo.
Have an old pylon that still stands? We can often reuse the structure with new faces or panels. Send us a photo and call (845) 426-0804.
For lit lettering on the building itself, see Storefront & Business Signs and Dimensional Lettering.
Common questions
How tall can my pylon sign be?
It depends on the local sign code and your zoning district. Some towns allow tall pylons on highway frontage and only low monuments elsewhere. Check with your building department early, or ask us to look at your property.
Can you replace just one tenant panel?
Yes. If the cabinet is in good shape, we make a new panel to the existing size and swap it in.
Can my existing pylon be converted to LED?
Often, yes. Older fluorescent cabinets can usually be retrofitted with LED lighting and new faces, which costs less than a new sign.
Examples from our portfolio
Lighted and freestanding signs from the Marv'les Signs photo archive. Tap any photo to enlarge it.
