Augusta Sign Company

Refresh your image today!

Donor Wall Project

By

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

By

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!

By

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

By

“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.

Updating an Office Park’s Street Appeal

By

Updating an office park’s street appeal is not something I do everyday.

Since I’m a one-man sign shop, I’m usually bouncing around working on a variety of projects like a ping pong ball. But since several of my customers operate in the commercial or residential real estate sectors —some as developers, some as property managers— I occasionally have an apartment complex, subdivision, office complex, industrial park, healthcare center, etc. to work on.

AFTER-The completed updated office directory sign at Stoneridge.

One of these clients, Property Management of Virginia, approached me early on in 2020 to update a directory sign at Stoneridge Office Park in Waynesboro. The existing directory sign had been in place for decades and needed work. After surveying their site I recommended a complete replacement of the sign panels and structural posts on the dated directory, and also a repaint for their entrance sign at the main entrance. I figured since 20,000-plus vehicles pass their entrance sign every day, it should always look its best!

BEFORE-The old directory as it looked before the renovation process.

The old, deteriorated directory sign was installed on two rusted steel poles imbedded in the concrete core of a brick base that was about 6 feet wide. At first I considered refurbishing the steel posts and using them as the support for the upgraded directory panels. After much thought and discussion with

One of the rusty uprights we replaced with maintenance-free aluminum posts.

one of my architectural sign component suppliers, I chose to replace them with two end-mounted aluminum posts, a much more maintenance-free solution for my customer. Also, by moving the posts outward I was able to increase the mass of the sign leaving more room for branding the “Stoneridge” name at the top.

The previous main sign did not reflect a positive street-side image and needed some work.

The faded, peeling and cracking road sign needed to be re-set and reinforced within the existing stone wall and then repainted. We removed the routed aluminum face and transported it to the shop where we removed the existing finish, primed, and repainted the sign with a high quality industrial enamel supplied by Burk’s Paint and Wallpaper in Waynesboro. We took advantage of good fall weather to re-install the main sign panel, then went right to work on building the new directory.

The updated main entrance sign on Route 250 West, Waynesboro, VA.

The posts and crossbeams were custom-made to fit into the sides of the existing brick foundation. Made from aluminum with a powder-coat finish, the posts are maintenance-free and provide a strong platform for the

Making the 60 individual tenant panels in the shop.

two fairly heavy directory panels. We cut the two large round-top sign panels and smaller individual tenant panels in the shop and applied printed 3M vinyl for the background color and graphics. There were a total of thirty changeable tenant signs per side, attached with stainless steel fasteners which can be easily changed as tenants come and go.

Fabricating the directory sign on the shop table.

All in all the project improved the look of the office park, but there’s room for improving many of the other signs in the complex. Perhaps that will be in our project pipeline for 2021!

Putting the final fasteners in the newly renovated main entrance sign.

Mark Hackley owns and operates Augusta Sign Company serving Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County, Virginia…and beyond.

Contact Mark at 540-943-9818 or mark@augustasigncompany.com