Augusta Sign Company

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Simple Estate Signs for Around $1,000

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How a New Sign Made Happyland Much Happier

If you’re looking for a simple home, farm, or estate sign in the ballpark price range of $1,000, then Augusta Sign Company could be a good starting point in your search! Last spring, a commercial sign customer contacted me about upgrading the wood sign at the driveway of his home in Augusta County, just a few miles from where I live in Arbor Hill, VA.

Happyland sign before renovation.

First I took a look at his existing sign. It was very deteriorated, but the 4X4 treated posts were salvageable and I quoted the customer a new sign that would be mounted between the existing posts. The old sign was a hand-painted board with white background and black letters. The customer liked the simple black on white design, so I came up with a few mock-ups. Once I made a few tweaks to the design option he liked best, things were ready to go.

Gluing the end caps on the 2-sided carved cedar panel.

It is my policy to ask for 50% of the total project cost up-front. I received the deposit and ordered a chunk of cedar large enough to do the job. The sign was v-carved on both sides using a CNC router. After the routing and sanding were complete, I primed the raw cedar with a dependable primer and stainkiller that is great for blocking the tannins in the wood, and then top-coated the entire sign and inset letters with white sign enamel. Once the background was painted and completely dry, I then moved on to lettering the sign with black sign enamel.

The freshly hand-painted sign out on the shop table.

When it was all ready to be hung, I traveled to the site, removed the old sign, sanded, primed, and repainted the two posts, and then installed the sign between the posts using four long galvanized lag screws. Some people in my industry call these end-pins.

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An updated sign is now complete!!

The customer was happy! Now the name Happyland resonates well across the property!!

Mark Hackley is owner and operator of Augusta Sign Company in Staunton, VA. Mark hopes you have a blessed day; take a slow, deep, breath, and say a word of thanks to the Creator that you have been given the opportunity to have a happy day, no matter the situation around you!

Donor Wall Project

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Customer Needed Guaranteed Completion

Eastern Mennonite University has been a regular customer for many years. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak we had worked on designs and proposals for a special donor appreciation display to honor those involved in the construction of their new science center building. Once COVID hit, like other things, this project was put on hold. I received an e-mail from my customer this past August that they wanted to reinitiate the project and would like to have it, if at all possible, for their Homecoming Weekend in mid-September.

In order to speed up the process, they would have their Marketing Department provide all the finished graphics, and have their Facilities Management Department complete the construction of the curved base. All I would have to do is provide and install the finished lettering and plaques. (But this was no simple task considering the short time-frame.)

The Donor Wall was constructed of maple-veneered plywood epoxied over a solid aluminum sheet base that was rolled to fit the radius of the block wall, a focal point as people eneter the new science center building at EMU.

Experience Needed

Our preferred manufacturer for custom dimensional letters and plaques had just sent an e-mail out saying they were experiencing a high rise in volume and could not guarantee lead times for new projects. Working with the company’s sales rep however we were able to rush the job through in time for the special dedication deadline.

EMU facilities management personnel assisted our crew in lining up the engraved brused aluminum donor plaques.

Our part of the project involved providing four large engraved brushed aluminum plaques that listed a huge number of donors supporting the new science center upgrades. We were able to quickly provide proofs for EMU so the many involved in the project could check over things for accuracy prior to final manufacture. Once that process was complete, I managed the production of these plaques along with cut out letters with matching finish for the header.

The finished donor wall project!!

Install Date Goal Achieved

Everything went smoothly. EMU finished the specialized curved base which was constructed of 1/8″ aluminum with a maple plywood front piece. Once it was up, we installed the header letters and plaques using various size spacers according to the design drawings. We completed the work on a Tuesday which was three days ahead of the Homecoming Weekend activities. All were happy and our nice donor wall was even featured in a special ceremony for all involved!!

Mark Hackley is President of Augusta Sign Company, Staunton, VA 540-943-9818

How I Restored a Farm Sign

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JUST GOOGLE “WOOD SIGNS VA”

Sometimes customers find me on the internet after a Google search. Several weeks ago, the owner of an estate home in Orange, VA stopped by the shop after such a search. She had a framed wood sign that was about twenty years old in need of repair or replacement. After taking a look at the sign in my shop, I was able to determine that her best bet was restoration. The sign was well-constructed. It had moisture damage in the lower framing members and some of the sign panel was delaminating near the same spot. A few hours of sanding and filling, and then a few hours of priming, painting and re-lettering would offer her a 66% cost savings over a total replacement. After a short discussion, she opted for sign maintenance.

Here are some photos of the sign from before, during, and after the restoration. The original sign used cut vinyl lettering, so I replaced the lettering using the same material. I could not find vector clip art for the ornamental divider on the original sign, but the customer was not super-particular about perfectly matching the divider, so I used clip art for a similar type design.

  • The original sign for restoration
  • Restoration in Progress

SIMPLE PROCESS

The process of sanding, repainting, and re-lettering takes about a week to a week and a half depending on temperature and humidity during the process. In addition to that, I always have to add another week or week and a half to find a spot in my schedule to start the work. So, in this case, the project took about two to three weeks to complete.

The finished, restored wood farm sign!

If you have a farm sign, estate sign, church sign, park sign, business sign in need of restoration or replacement, contact Mark Hackley at Augusta Sign Company!! 540-943-9818.

Use Wall Letter Signs to Identify Your Space!

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New wall letters provided for Kate Collins Middle School, Waynesboro, VA.

Multiple Choices

During the course of my signage career I have had many opportunities to utilize wall letters for customers. Wall letters are any type of flush or dimensional lettering or graphics painted on or attached to a wall. Generally wall letters are used to promote a brand or identify a particular room or building and can be mounted to both exterior and interior walls.

The most typical letters I have recommended are the dimensional type: Letters cut from acrylic or aluminum using a CNC router; and also letters molded from plastic or various metals including aluminum and bronze. Recently we tackled two jobs utilizing dimensional letters. The first job was an interior project for Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, VA. The school had ordered several honorary wall plaques and needed us to install them as well as wall lettering over the door to the hall. These letters were flat cut out (FCO) acrylic that were CNC-cut from black pigmented material. We utilized a paper pattern to center the lettering over the doorway then stud-mounted the letters into the wall with silicone adhesive.

Inspecting newly installed wall letters at Fishburne Military School, Waynesboro, VA.

Make Wayfinding Easier

We also helped the Waynesboro City Schools with identifying their gymnasium. Not only does naming school buildings help new students and teachers get around easier, it also helps visitors, vendors, and most importantly, first-responders find their way quickly when the time comes. On this particular project, we suggested formed plastic letters

Wall letter installations typically begin with a paper pattern, shown here taped to the wall and ready for hole preparation.

to match other entrance lettering. Once again we started the installation process by making a paper pattern, centering it over the entrance and then marking and drilling holes for the stud-mounted letters. The background wall in this case was constructed of EIFS so there wasn’t much to drill out for the holes. Again we used architectural grade clear silicone for the adhesive to secure the studs.

If you need any help with wall letters at your business, industrial plant, school, or church just reach out anytime!!

Mark Hackley is president of Augusta Sign Company based in Augusta County, VA. He can be reached at 540-943-9818

Trouble-Free Main Entry Signs Becoming Our Specialty

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“The sign looks great! I appreciate the trouble free install. We’ve heard several compliments both from staff and clients,” Bryan Beamer, DVM

The new entrance sign in Culpeper completed in April 2021.

“GO-TO” SIGN DESIGN

Trouble-free main entry signs are becoming our specialty go-to sign design option for many businesses. These signs are very simple, constructed of two upright aluminum posts with horizontal cross beams on which we mount the main sign panels. We have used them for a variety of business marketing applications for churches, apartment complexes, office parks, and medical facilities, but see endless applications in our market area of Virginia.

New church entrance sign installed in Staunton in November, 2020.

ECONOMICAL CHOICE

If a customer has a budget under about $5,000 and needs a long-lasting, low-maintenance exterior identification sign, then this is a great option to consider. We have provided many one-sided options for less than $3,500 which includes: design, manufacture, and installation. The customer can choose to illuminate the signs at a later date or leave them un-lit. Many of the times, the customer will construct nice landscaping beds or planters below the signs to dress them up and protect them from lawncare equipment.

Apartment entrance sign placed into service in September, 2019.

SIMPLE YET EASILY CUSTOMIZED

The beauty of these main entrance signs is their simplicity and opportunity for customization. We have attached aluminum compostite (ACM) panels to them, as well as sandblasted and carved cedar panels. All three materials make for long-lasting minimal-maintenance signage. We use 1/4″ thick ACM panels and dress them with printed 3M vinyl film which generally lasts 5-10 years before the weather begins to degrade the sign’s coloring and overall appearance. When the signs fade, they are easily replaced or recovered for another 5-10 years of service. The post and frame system is finished with a durable powder-coat finish and will last many years before required maintenance.

Constructing an office park directory sign out in the workshop in November, 2020.

TURN-KEY PRODUCT

Customers who choose cedar panels for the signs can expect a similar 5-10 maintenance period, but the actual cedar boards will last a lifetime as they are naturally insect and rot resistant. Augusta Sign Company can offer turnkey service for a company’s main entrance sign offering permitting services, manufacture, installation, and periodic maintenance and replacement services.

Contact Mark Hackley at 540-943-9818 for more information.