Building Entrance Signs That Mark the Front Door

• Offices and business centres where visitors need to confirm the right door.
• Clinics, medical suites and professional practices.
• Hotels and guest houses where the entrance sets the tone.
• Apartment buildings and residential complexes with a pedestrian entrance.
• Schools, churches and community buildings.
• Buildings with several tenants, where the entrance signage identifies the building rather than the individual business.

For a bigger statement at the top of the building, see large building signs. For apartment complexes with a vehicle gate, see residential complex entrance signs.

• Wall-mounted lettering above the door: flat-cut or fabricated letters on the wall or a fascia.
• Canopy signs: lettering fixed to or built into a canopy edge or soffit.
• Side-of-door panels: a plaque or panel with the name, logo and sometimes hours or contact details.
• Address and street number signs: large clear numbers that help visitors and delivery drivers.
• Projecting signs: a blade sign visible along the street. See illuminated blade signs.

• Stainless steel and aluminium for durable, clean letters.
• Brass or copper for a warmer, traditional look. See brass letters and signs.
• Acrylic panels for logo plaques.
• Engraved metal for permanent information. See engraved metal plaques.
• Powder coat finishes in brand colours.

Entrance signs are viewed up close, so finish quality and edge detail are more noticeable than on a high sign.

Entrance lighting should help people find the door without dazzling them.

• Halo-lit letters give a warm glow around the name. See halo-lit letters.
• Front-lit letters are bolder and suit signs seen from further away.
• Down-lighting or spotlights wash the sign from above or below.
• Unlit signs work where existing entrance lighting already covers the wall.

Lighting that interacts with security or access control systems is subject to technical assessment.

Choose building entrance signs when the aim is to mark the door and welcome visitors at close range. Choose large building signs when the building must be seen from further away. Choose office reception signs for the logo inside the lobby. Choose architectural facade signage when the entrance is part of a larger design scheme.

• Viewing distance: entrance signs are read from a short distance, but as a rough guide many designers allow around 25 mm of letter height per 10 m of viewing distance. We confirm on site.
• Mounting surface: face brick, glass, plaster and canopy sheeting all need different fixings.
• Electrical access: lit signs need a power feed that can usually be taken from existing entrance lighting circuits, subject to survey.
• Door swing and clearances: signs near doors must not obstruct movement or sensors.
• Weather exposure: canopy and wall signs on the weather side need materials and fixings suited to rain and sun.
• Access: most entrance work is at reachable height, which makes maintenance easier.
• Approvals: body corporate, landlord and municipal approvals are checked during survey and design.

• Number and size of letters or panels.
• Material and finish.
• Lit or unlit.
• Canopy, wall or glass mounting.
• Power access for lit signs.
• Whether an old sign must be removed first.
• Engraving or detail work.
• Installation height and access.

Entrance signs get touched, splashed and dirtied more than high signs. Wipe metal and acrylic with a soft cloth and mild cleaner, and avoid abrasives. Natural-finish brass and copper change over time. Lit signs should be checked periodically. See signage cleaning and maintenance.

Entrance signage surveys and installations are arranged by appointment across Gauteng.

Areas we regularly plan surveys and installations in include: Sandton, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Midrand, Centurion, Rosebank. See the full list on the areas page.