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All sandblasted signs share a common beauty and durability, but the material used for the base still determines the fine details. Instead of going with traditional wood or costly metal, consider the modern high density urethane (HDU) instead. Find out more here about six benefits this type of stiff foam offers to business owners ordering a custom sandblasted sign.

Support for Intricate Details

Dreaming of a sign that looks like a hand-carved work of art? The fine closed cell foam of HDU is free from the knots and grain patterns found in natural wood, allowing for sharp points, tight curves, and smooth textures. It's possible to create any kind of finish texture, from completely smooth areas to raised wood grain and bark designs, with basic and low pressure sand blasting. When working with wood and metal, the textures are very limited and take a lot of extra work to accomplish.

Great Durability

While HDU is not the strongest sign material on its own, it's easy to combine with metal and hard plastic backing sheets for reinforcement. Adding these durability upgrades won't make the sign too heavy, but it will prevent vandalism and high winds from breaking your new sign. The foam material is also better at handling wear and tear from the elements, especially once its coated with the right kind of paint or vinyl wrap.

Resistance to Multiple Types of Damage

Most of the material's durability is due to the fact that HDU doesn't absorb moisture. Unlike even the best types of wood, there's no chance of swelling, cracking, or rot when you're using urethane. It's also immune to damage from

• Sun exposure, thanks to UV blocking agents mixed right into the foam
• Insects, like wasps and termites that burrow into any available wood
• Temperature changes, no matter how extreme.

By investing in such a durable material for your commercial sign, you'll get to enjoy its beauty for many years instead of paying for replacements or repainting on an annual basis.

Light-weight for Easy Mounting

Concerned about the limitations of your exterior surfaces when it comes to mounting a big sign? The tiny cells that make up HDU are filled with air, resulting in a very lightweight foam that is easy to lift and mount with minimal equipment. There's no need to spend a lot on exterior reinforcements or worry about damage to your stucco and siding when you stick to sandblasted foam.

Eco-Friendly Construction

Artificial and man-made materials like HDU may not sound like the ideal choice for a green business at first, but most of the slabs used for sign making contain a high percentage of reclaimed and recycled urethane. It's one of the only sign making materials that can fit into a LEED certification plan. Using this kind of high tech foam also reduces the demand for redwood and cedar. These two trees are the most popular wood choices for sandblasted signs due to their natural durability and attractive grain, but heavy use of the wood contributes to deforestation. Long-lasting HDU saves the materials that would be used for replacement signs as well.

Widespread Availability

Finally, you can rest assured that HDU is available all year round and across the country. Other materials often experience shortages or price fluctuations throughout the year, but urethane foam is easy to keep shipping and manufacturing as demand increases. There's no need to order from a specialty supplier and pay a premium price just for a nice looking sandblasted sign.

Sandblasting creates a sign that fits perfectly into a retail or commercial area drawing inspiration from old-fashioned town centers. Get the artistic flair you want without the hassles of natural wood by asking your custom sign maker to use HDU for your project.