Are you planning to build your man cave? Or are you renovating your current one to make it more aesthetically pleasing? One of the most significant deciding factors of your room looks is the interior lighting. If you haven’t used custom neon signs already, these might be what your man cave lacks. However, before adding anything to your cart, you might have to consider if the price and function are worth it.
A custom neon sign can be ordered for as low as $220 for a small-sized sign. The complexity of the design and the number of characters are the primary factors when it comes to the price. However, if you choose to save labor expenses, you can do your own custom neon signs as well.
Although these rooms are called “man caves,” this doesn’t mean that decorating is out of the table. Since it’s going to be your sanctuary, you actually have a lot of freedom with your interior design. You’re going to spend a long time using your man cave, so you might as well like what you see while you’re working on your hobby. For more custom lighting designs, using Neon signs is a good option.
Neon signs are popularly used in streets to grab customers’ attention to restaurants, bars, and other establishments. What makes it a good light source is that it can be shaped into letters and different shapes for customization. You can mix and match colors to get the aesthetic appeal that you want.
Of course, there are other options, such as LED lights and fluorescent lamps. All of these alternative options can also work, but it might not be everyone’s cup of coffee. LED lights, fluorescent lamps, and Neon signs have all pros and cons. Let’s see if neon signs are the right ones for you.
Are Neon Signs Expensive?
Neon signs are made with thin stripes of glass tubes that contain rarefied neon gas. The interior workings of these glass tubes are painted with phosphorescent powder coating in order to have that iconic warm light it produces. When the neon inside the glass is energized by electricity, it gives a glow that follows the painted phosphorescent powder’s color.
The cost of Neon Signs will depend on a lot of factors, with the size being the most important consideration. If you want to go big, expect a more expensive bill for custom letters. You can order custom signs online or make them yourself. However, expect that pre-made signs would be more expensive due to additional labor requirements.
Why Use Neon Lights As A Sign?
When it comes to interior lighting, Neon signs are very popular, and it’s for good reasons. It has benefits that no other light source (LED, fluorescent lamps, etc.) can give. Here are some benefits that you can get by using neon signs in your man cave.
Requires Less Power To Run
Do you want to run your light source for hours at a time? One of the benefits of using the Neon sign is its low power consumption. It can light up your man cave without giving you a sizeable electrical bill each month. A typical neon sign consumes 50% to 60% less than other lighting options. The wattage requirement is relatively low; you only need $0.20 to run a sign for 24 hours.
Doesn’t Require A Lot For Installation
Most of the tools and materials needed to install a Neon sign are already found at home. To install a decently-sized sign, you need a drill, measuring tape, drywall anchors, screws, and screwdrivers. It doesn’t require a specialized tool, just a few screws as structural support. You might want to use wooden structures if you’re going to use a massive neon sign for your man cave interior (and only if the screws aren’t enough).
Versatile Decor For Numerous Builds
Neon signs are very versatile when it comes to decoration. It is available in different colors, which means that you are not limited to creativity and scale. You can use a uniform-colored theme or use different colors until you achieve your design goal.
You can also bend and twist the glass tubes into various shapes and forms. Take note: the more element you put in your man cave design, the more bending and twisting you’d have to do. Alternatively, you can hire neon craftsmen to do the work for you.
Can Last For Years
Unlike typical fluorescent light bulbs, which last for only 6-12 months, neon signs can last for years. It is considered one of the best long-lasting lighting options for signages and custom designs because of these characteristics. Typically, neon tubes last for 8 to 15 years, depending on the lighting and the brightness of settings during the operation. For a longer life span, the phosphorescent coating can be repainted and the neon gas inside can be refilled. If the sign is
Neon Signs Are Stunning In An Iconic Way
The glow from Neon lights doesn’t have an overpowering effect and has a warm glow as candles do. But unlike candles, neon lights can be placed in almost every location, as long as you have an outlet to plug it. This is why neon signs are often used for decoration: it can make things stunning and functional at the same time.
How Much Does A Small Neon Sign Cost?
Custom neon signs don’t have a set of prices because tons of factors affect the final bill. For some custom makers, the size of the glass tube strip is a good price indicator. In addition to the strip length, you will also need to consider the character count and complexity, as it adds up to the labor.
Size Of The Sign
For a small 13×32-inch sign, you can expect a price tag of $220 on average. But that doesn’t mean that every 13×32-inch signs would cost the same. According to BizFluent, the price of custom signs can reach up to $1,200 per square foot. For utility, fluorescent signs can be a better choice, as they are cheaper on a smaller scale and can light up more area.
Character Count
The price is also affected by the letters included in your design. In fact, smaller signs that consist of more characters can be a little pricier since it is harder to make. But bigger signs with lots of characters are expensive too. When it comes to logos, bigger designs would cost more. If budget is a constraint, you might want to go small and simple. What makes neon lights a budget-friendly decor is a fact that you can always add to it when more fund becomes available.
Complexity Of Design
Custom makes of neon designs manually twist the tubes to create shapes and characters. Neon strips cannot be cut into pieces, that’s why most neon decors are in cursive. Naturally, complex designs require more twisting and turning in odd angles.
This will also require more masking, which is done to hide the connecting neon strips and to make the design clearer and detailed. Basically, expect a cheaper price if you’re going to use simple designs, and vice versa for complex designs.
What if you’re not sure about the number of characters or the complexity of your design? How would you allocate your budget for your custom neon sign? Fortunately, most neon sign manufacturers offer free quotations based on some specifications like neon type, size, font, and color. Some custom stores would also offer finishings like caps and other accessories.
Can You Make Your Neon Sign?
For people who don’t want to buy a pre-made sign, there is a way to make a DIY neon sign too. Take note: this can take a considerable amount of time and skills to pull off. You also need some handyman tools to install your lights or bend the glass strips. And as expected to a project like this, make sure to refill your patience bar before starting. Let’s start with the list of materials you’ll need to make your own neon signs.
There are a few steps that should be made in order to transform a design to neon signage precisely. Here are the materials needed for the neon sign itself:
- Measuring tape and string
- Metal wire
- EL Wire
- Pliers
- Colored tape
For attaching EL wire to the framework and to the installation board:
- Any form of the board (e.g. plywood)
- Glue and glue gun
- Drill or hole puncher
Step 1: Make Your Design Using Pen And Paper
To avoid more mistakes in twisting your EL wire, later on, take some time to design your custom sign. Preferably, design it in the size that you’re intending to use for the real thing. An important thing to remember: you wouldn’t be able to cut and connect EL wires, so use cursive or connect each of your letters. Only consider designs that are easy and doable.
Step 2: Measurement
Since you cannot cut EL wires, only take measurements after finishing your design. Use a string and trace your design’s outlines from start to finish. Allot a few inches before cutting the string and measuring it with your tape. This is the length of EL Wires to fill up your design. Buy your EL Wire based on the measurement you got from the string.
Step 3: Create A Framework
EL Wires need support to remain in shape, and that is done by attaching it to metal wires. Trace your design again, but this time, use a metal wire to do so. Use pliers or any available tools to twist and bend the wire when needed. Cursive designs are easier to make because the letters are already in easily bendable positions. The lesser you bend and twist, the better the framework would be. So make sure to use precise movements with fewer bends and twists as possible.
Step 4: Attaching The EL Wires
Using a glue gun, carefully attach your EL wire to your metal wire framework. For easier attachments, do this step by section. Don’t try to move the metal wire after a few seconds of attachments. Hold the EL wire down for 5-10 seconds or more to make sure that it is completely attached to your framework.
Take note: use gloves to protect your hands from melted adhesive.
Step 5: Patching Up
This step is necessary for characters like “i” and “j,” as the dots in their upper corner will not be visible at all. To patch this problem, you need to tape up space with a tape with similar color as your background. If the colors are mismatched, this might not work.
Don’t forget to patch up characters that have dots or the “~” (tilde). Patch the connecting space between characters if you don’t want your sign to appear cursive. If you’re going to hang the sign, you might want to add horizontal support to avoid imbalances.
Step 6: Installation
Drill a few holes into the plywood or any board you’re using, and tie your sign securely. Alternatively, you can attach the EL wire and framework directly to the wall by hanging it using a string. Safely install the power wiring to the nearest electricity socket, away from places where it cannot be reached by water or any liquid.
Take note: EL wires are still made with glass tubings, so you might want to add extra protection to avoid breakages. Don’t use these products in places where the weather is extremely windy or where the rain is frequent. Using the sign indoors is ideal for preserving its life span.
Does Neon Sign Take A lot Of Electricity?
The cost to operate Neon signs depends mainly on the size and color of the whole thing. Of course, a larger sign will eat up more energy to completely glow. More characters will multiply your spendings, as well as the coating color. The nearer it is to white or blue, the costlier it would be when it comes to electricity consumption.
With that in mind, a small, red-colored sign can consume more electricity if it is powered on 24 hours a day. This is compared to a large blue-lit sign that was only opened for a few hours or minutes. Don’t forget to pull the plug when you don’t need to use the sign anymore. Especially if you install it in a man cave, and you don’t use the room quite often.
Neon signs are still more efficient in electricity consumption compared to other alternatives like fluorescent. However, better electricity management can never hurt.
Is Neon Brighter Than LED?
The quick answer to this question is “no.” Neon lights are not brighter than LED, as it uses lesser electricity and is intended for smaller coverage. However, both of these light sources have their benefits and disadvantages. It’s up to the user to choose whichever fits their own needs perfectly.
Why LED?
LEDs can be seen from afar because of its better brightness. This is the reason why some of the most important establishments like hospitals and medical facilities use LED for their signage. However, LEDs are not known for their aesthetic appeal and are only used for function. You will also get a limited typeset of letters to work with, and your sign will probably be of light color.
Why Neon Sign?
Neon signs don’t have great coverage when it comes to visibility. It is often effective only when you’re near the sign, or the area doesn’t have a lot of external light sources. But what it lacks in brightness, it makes up with an aesthetic appeal. Several colors can be used to make a single sign. You can also use other typesets and fonts, as well as add some logos. With its warmer light, you can’t really deny its relaxing nature.
What Is A Better Choice For Man Cave?
Since you’re using the signs to spice up your man cave, the best choice would be neon signs. LED is not good material for decoration. And since you’re using lights for your man cave, you don’t really want your room to look like a bright hospital room or a random office space.
Neon signs simply have better aesthetic options. You can create other figures and not only letters. And it can last for years, which is always a great thing for light sources and decors.
Final Thoughts
On average, a small Neon sign can cause up to $220 to set up, but it can be worth it in the long run. Larger sizes of signs can get over $1,000, but it will still depend on the design complexity. The variety of colors that can be used is a good thing when it comes to aesthetics. Hence, choosing Neon lights is better when it comes to decor-ability. You can DIY your own neon signs, but using a custom service is better for convenience.