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Are you looking to add some fun, sparkling, and eye-catching designs to your space but are torn between LED neon signs and traditional glass neon signs? Whether you are a business owner wanting to embrace the neon signage trend to increase your visibility or a homeowner or content creator wanting to add a personal flair to your space, understanding how these two neon sign types are different is a must before you order one.
In this blog, we’ll help you get a thorough idea about LED neon signs and traditional glass neon signs, as well as their history, differences, and benefits, so you can make the right choice.
A Brief History of Neon Signs
Neon signs have become all the rage these days with the market standing at an impressive 1.3 billion US dollars value. However, these signs aren’t some modern inventions. They first emerged back in the early twentieth century and significantly changed how people used to advertise their businesses and improve aesthetics.
In 1910, French engineer Georges Claude made the very first neon signs and introduced light into the signage world. The vibrant glow of these signs, originally made from glass tubes containing neon gas, made ripples worldwide. They became synonymous with rich nightlife and urban culture as they secured spots everywhere, from diners, and cinemas to cafes and more, and even became iconic symbols of cities like Hong Kong, where they could be spotted in almost every nook and corner.
However, over the years, neon signs have evolved with LED technology now adding a modern and energy-efficient twist to this art form while still giving you that classic glow.
LED Neon Signs
Wondering what are LED neon signs? They are simply the modern alternative to those traditional glass neon signs that don’t use glass tubes filled with neon gas. Instead, LED neon signs comprise a flexible silicone tube that contains LED lights in it giving you safer and brighter sign options. They’re also versatile as you can get these tubes molded into whatever shape or design you like to add fun colorful touches to your space.
Advantages
Here are some of the benefits of LED neon signs:
Energy Efficiency: LED neon signs require way less power than traditional glass neon signs so you get lower electricity bills with them as well as a greener footprint.
Durability: LED neon signs have a way longer lifespan than glass neon signs and are very durable because of the flexible silicone tube. They can last you more than 40, 000 hours and require minimal maintenance.
Safety: Since LED neon signs aren’t made of glass, they’re less likely to break, require minimal maintenance, and have great resistance against wind or rain making them a perfect choice for both your indoor and outdoor signage needs.
Versatility: Whatever creative idea you have in mind, LED neon signs can help you actualize them as they come in multifarious designs and various colors.
Whether you have a thing for glowing logos or bright word art, LED neon works have unlimited customization options.
Environmental Impact: LED neon signs are eco-friendly as they use energy-efficient LED technology. This means building your LED neon sign won’t just consume less energy but also avoid the usage of toxic gasses like neon and mercury that are normally used in glass neon signs.
Cost: While apparently, the upfront costs of LED neon signs might look a bit high-priced, how energy efficient and durable these are, make them cost-effective in the long term.
Disadvantages
Even though there are so many advantages, there’s also one downside:
Aesthetics: Many people prefer the classic look of glass neon signs which LED neon signs lack. They don’t have that classic charm and appealing glow of glass neon signs. For people who like the aesthetics of traditional neon signs, LED neon signs might not give the same vibes.
Traditional Glass Neon Signs
Now when you see traditional glass neon signs, these are the ones made from actual glass tubes filled with gasses like neon or argon that light up when they receive the electric current.
Glass neon signs speak for the traditional craftsmanship of manually manipulating glass under fire to create various designs. They have been a constant in signage for decades now, often lauded for their vintage look and nostalgic charm.
Advantages
Here are some of the advantages of glass neon sign:
Aesthetics: Glass neon signs have the kind of bright and vivid glow that neon signs are truly known for. Their nostalgic and classic appeal is anything but subtle making them a great option for people who actually want that “neon” look.
Brightness: Glass neon signs are brighter and more vibrant. They have a powerful visual impact making them a perfect addition if you want to place them in high-visibility areas.
Customization: Glass neon signs allow you to get highly customizable designs. There are various skilled artisans who can bend the glass tubes into any shape you prefer making them perfect for unique creations.
Disadvantages
Despite the advantages, wondering why the user base of glass neon signs is shrinking? Here are some of their disadvantages that might explain:
Cost: Traditional glass neon signs aren’t for the budget-friendly clientele as the process of bending glass tubes by hand to create designs requires excessive time and effort. They are expensive both in how much you pay upfront as well as how much you regularly spend on maintaining them.
Energy Consumption: Since glass neon signs require a lot of electricity to give that bright glow, way more than LED neon signs, their operating costs are high.
Durability: As with anything made of glass, glass neon signs are more fragile and prone to shattering. You’d have to care for them more because of costly repairs.
Maintenance: Traditional glass neon signs aren’t a one-and-done deal when it comes to their maintenance. You need to constantly upkeep them so they work correctly otherwise if a tube breaks or neon gas leaks out, you’ll have to replace the sign or pay hefty amounts for repair.
Environmental Impact: Because glass neon signs require more energy to design and work and use gases like neon and argon, they are less eco-friendly than LED neon signs.
Hong Kong Glass Neon Signs
When you think about glass neon signs, one city that immediately comes to mind is Hong Kong with some even calling glass neon sign as Hong Kong neon sign. That’s because Hong Kong's iconic glass neon signs have a rich history and they are a special artistic feature of the city. Neon lights made their way to Hong Kong in the post-war years through craftsmen from Shanghai and quickly started reflecting the city’s commercial energy.
These glass neon signs glowed brightly on every street corner and outside almost all shops and businesses with the soft colorful glow becoming a defining feature of Hong Kong’s skyline. There, they weren’t just used for advertising but also adding character and charm to the city’s happening nightlife. The artisans behind them used to bend glass tubes by hand and fill them with colorful gasses with generationally handed-down skills to create eye-catching designs.
However, in recent times, as LED technology has gained considerable traction, the classic glass neon signs Hong Kong was known for are disappearing in numbers. LED signs are replacing them which are much cheaper, more energy-efficient, and less demanding.
Now, as the neon-lit streets are slowly dimming, art and culture enthusiasts are putting in efforts to preserve these cultural landmarks and wishing the legacy of Hong Kong’s neon glow could live on.
Comparison: LED Neon Signs vs. Traditional Glass Neon Signs
Now that you’ve understood what are LED neon signs and what are glass neon signs and their pros and cons, ready to take a comparative approach to understand better?
Let’s compare them across five key factors so you can decide which neon sign would be best for you to buy:
Energy Efficiency
First up, let’s talk about how much energy both require to function properly. LED neon signs use less energy than glass neon signs and work well with low-voltage power, which means if you can’t stand hefty utility bills, these are the ones to go for.
On the other hand, glass neon signs need high-voltage transformers and an uninterrupted supply of current to power the neon gases inside the tubes to glow which uses more energy and thus can increase the numbers on your bills in no time.
Durability and Maintenance
If there’s one more area where LED neon signs equally shine, it's durability. LED lights are sturdy and so are LED neon signs. They can withstand extreme temperatures and things like wind and rain and have a longer lifespan of around 20 to 50 thousand hours. You won’t have to replace them often.
Contrastingly, the classic glass neon signs aren’t as durable. They can break or shatter with a little negligence while carrying them and can’t withstand rough winds. So, when you’re using glass neon signs, especially outside, they tend to have a pretty short lifespan with elements like wind and rain in the picture too. You will also have a hard time maintaining them or getting them repaired both in terms of effort and money.
Cost
If you compare costs, LED neon signs have a lower asking price than traditional glass neon signs that require hours of manual labor. LED neon signs are more affordable to make and install while glass neon signs are more on the expensive side to produce and install.
Over time, LED neon signs also help you save more on energy bills as they consume less energy and have better longevity while glass neon signs consume more energy as well as require regular maintenance proving to be more costly. So, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, LED neon signs are best for you.
Environmental Impact
When you compare the two through an eco-friendliness lens, LED neon signs come through as a more sustainable option. That’s because they use less energy means you’ll have a lower carbon footprint. Plus, they neither require an active flame to be molded into the design you want nor do they use harmful substances like mercury or toxic gasses that are found in glass neon signs. And since they last long, it means fewer signs will end up in landfills.
Glass neon signs, in contrast, have a more energy-intensive production process and require more electricity to function as well. They use gasses like neon and argon and have a shorter lifespan making them less eco-friendly than LED neon signs.
Aesthetics and Customization
When it comes to aesthetics and customizing options though, glass neon signs have a striking charm and appeal. They give a nostalgic glow and the process of hand-bending glass tubes gives you many options to get intricate designs made that are difficult to get with LED tubes.
Nevertheless, LED neon signs are catching up in terms of aesthetics with brands like Lamomo offering multiple-sided neon lighting options in signs and various colors and effects. So, while LED neon signs might not fully mimic the vintage feel of glass neon signs, they can still give you flexible and various customization options for your signage needs.
Case Studies
Given the popularity of neon signs and the growing trend to use them for interior decor and advertising or creating a nice backdrop while shooting content, many people and businesses have used neon signs and reaped benefits.
Here are some real-life examples of businesses or individuals who have used both types of neon signs and achieve their objectives:
Isabelle’s Cinema Entrance
Isabelle, a film screenwriter, owns a private cinema that has become a favorite spot for movie enthusiasts. To give the entrance a more inviting and memorable look, she chose to install a neon sign featuring the words “MOVIE TIME” with a playful popcorn design. The bright, warm neon colors; yellow, white, and red, created a cozy, eye-catching atmosphere that immediately set the tone for guests.
The new sign not only made the cinema stand out more but also helped increase foot traffic, as the clear, bold design drew attention and created a welcoming vibe right from the entrance.
Los Tacos Restaurant Revitalization
Los Tacos, a beloved Pasadena restaurant, needed a fresh update to its exterior while keeping the essence of its rich history intact. The owner, Martha Leos, decided to replace the old sign with a vibrant neon design that paid homage to Mexican culture. Using orange neon lights and typography similar to the original sign, the new design brought energy and authenticity to the restaurant.
After some tweaks to improve legibility, the final sign successfully revitalized the restaurant’s look. It helped attract more customers, reconnecting the restaurant’s legacy with a modern, eye-catching aesthetic that appealed to both loyal and new patrons.
Customer Feedback
Those who have used LED and traditional glass neon signs, whether at home or in business spaces, have enjoyed its benefits too. Here’s what some of the customers of Lamomo had to say about adding neon signs to their spaces:
Isabelle
"This sign has made my private cinema so much more noticeable, and now every guest feels our relaxed vibe the moment they walk in."Emily W.
“Great experience! The coffee sign is eye-catching and really draws in customers. The team was super helpful throughout the process.”Sarah J.
“I ordered a custom neon sign for our home bar, and it turned out amazing! The quality is top-notch, and everyone loves it!”
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, LED neon signs are energy-efficient, durable, and cost-effective, making them perfect for modern, eco-conscious spaces. Traditional glass neon signs offer a classic, vibrant look with customization options, though they come with higher costs and maintenance.
Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you prioritize longevity and savings or the timeless charm of glass neon. Either way, neon signs are an excellent way to bring your space to life and capture attention.
If you’re ready to create something truly unique and unforgettable, now’s the perfect time to make Custom Neon Signs with Lamomoneon. Visit Lamomo Neon to explore endless customization options and craft a neon sign that perfectly matches your vision.
Whether for your home, business, or event, your perfect neon sign is just a few clicks away!
