Surfaces That Can Damage Banners

Installation Guide >> Common Installation Mistakes >> Avoid Unfavorable Surfaces

Vinyl banners provide highly durable and effective signage for both indoor and outdoor use. Knowing what areas to inspect and avoid when installing a banner can determine how successful a display will be, so we wanted to point out a few surface installation factors to avoid when it comes to installing banners.

Avoid Surfaces With Sharp Protrusions

When installing banners on any indoor or outdoor surface, always inspect the surface area for any protruding objects or sharp extrusions that can prematurely tear a banner.

Indoor banners can be subject to pressing or leaning disturbances, while outdoor banners will constantly sway back and forth due to outdoor elements such as wind and rain. Both can cause a banner to continuously rub against the installed surface, and if there are sharp protrusions, a banner is far more subject to incurring damage.

A few potential surfaces where banners are commonly installed and an inspection for potential damaging elements should be conducted prior to installation include chain link fences, scaffolding for buildings and wooden fencing.

Chain link fences are one of the more popular surface areas where banners are installed. Chain fencing is built from rigid metal wire diamond shaped cells that interlink with each other causing a meshed wire netting see through fence. Although, a very secure spot for installing vinyl banners. the chain linked cells can sometimes come apart or bend causing very sharp wire protrusions. These protruding wires can penetrate an installed banner's substrate overtime, so we recommend inspecting chain link fencing prior to installing any banner.

Scaffolding is usually made of sturdy metal L beams or metal poles with wooden walkways that are constructed in order for workers to use as a platform for working on or repairing an outdoor building or wall. These areas are popular for banners, but because they are put together quickly in a temporary setting, we recommend inspecting the area for protruding screws or exposed tie-wire that could potentially damage a hanging banner.

Wooden fences are also a great location to display banners, but we recommend inspecting any Wooden fencing prior to installing banners for protruding nails or sharp wooden splinters that can potentially rip are cause abrasions to a banner.

Avoid Residue Prone Surfaces

There are many outdoor surface areas that leach residue which can accumulate over time through rain water runoff and stain a banner with unsightly drip marks or water streaks. Try to avoid these areas if possible, but if these surface areas must be used, we recommend cleaning your banners periodically to preserve your message.

Avoid installing banners on walls treated with chemical coatings to preserve wood. There are many chemical coatings that exterior outdoor walls will contain to preserve the wood, and many of these coatings such as Creosote, will dislodge these chemicals during precipitation in the weather and leach out residues that can cause discolored water streaks or drip marks in your banner.

Installing banners on rusty surfaces should also be avoided if possible. If installing banners outdoors over rust filled surfaces such as scaffolding, tin siding or other rust prone metal that have accumulated heavy layers of rust will often come loose during rain and become soluble in rain water. As the rusty water run-off drips down the surface of your banner, particles of rust residue will build up causing rust colored lines to impede your banner's visual message.

Refrain from Installing Banners Over Moisture

Installing banners on on outdoor surfaces that retain constant moisture such as outdoor retaining walls may promote the potential growth of mold or mildew on the surface of your banner.

Although vinyl banners are one of the more durable sign products on the market today, a moldy banner will impede the quality of the printed message and can negatively affect a business' brand. If at all possible, we recommend avoiding these conditions for banner installation areas, but if there is no alternative location, we recommend checking on your banner frequently to ensure the presentation is not being diminished as a result.

Avoid Hanging Vinyl Banners Near Heaters & Heating Vents

Vinyl banners are made from PVC flexible vinyl and over heating of the material can cause the vinyl to shrink and potentially melt if hot enough.

Hanging banners near excessively heated areas can potentially affect a banner's message by warping the banner due to direct heat being applied. Installing banners onto or directly close to hot water heaters, electrical heating units, or hanging a banner directly over heating vents should be avoided.

Always be sure to check with local ordinances and safety requirements when installing your banners to be sure you are in compliance with local statutes and safety standards. eSigns has placed this suggestion for basic guidance only and makes no claims express or implied as to the benefits this advice offers.