A wall sign works well when people are looking straight at your building. But most foot traffic is not looking straight at anything. Pedestrians walk parallel to storefronts, and a flat sign above the door is easy to miss until they are already past it. That is where a blade sign comes in.
What Is a Blade Sign?
A blade sign, also called a projecting sign, mounts perpendicular to your building so it sticks out over the sidewalk. Because it faces oncoming foot traffic from both directions, people can read it from down the block instead of only from across the street. Blade signs are a natural fit for walkable shopping districts, historic main streets, and multi-tenant buildings where every storefront is competing for attention.
Why Businesses Choose Blade Signs
- Visibility to foot traffic. A blade sign catches the eye of people walking along the sidewalk, which a flat wall sign often cannot do.
- Two readable faces. Most blade signs are double sided, so they work for people approaching from either direction.
- Character and charm. Shaped panels, decorative brackets, and dimensional lettering give a storefront a distinctive, established look.
- A strong partner to your main sign. A blade sign pairs well with storefront signs or channel letters above the entrance, covering both street and sidewalk sightlines.
Design and Material Options
Blade signs can be as simple or as detailed as your brand calls for. Common choices include:
- Aluminum panels for a clean, durable sign that holds up to weather.
- Routed or dimensional faces that add depth and texture to your logo and lettering.
- Decorative or minimal brackets, from ornamental scrollwork that suits a historic district to sleek modern mounts.
- Illumination, including internally lit cabinets, halo lighting, or external gooseneck lights so the sign keeps working after dark. Our guide to illuminated signs covers the options in more detail.
Because a blade sign hangs out in the open, materials and finishes matter. Our post on sign materials that survive a Missouri year explains what holds up best through heat, storms, and freeze and thaw cycles.
Permits and Installation
A blade sign projects over the sidewalk, which usually means extra review. Most municipalities have rules on how far a sign can extend, how much clearance it needs above pedestrians, and how it attaches to the building. Requirements also differ between jurisdictions, as we covered in our look at St. Louis city and county sign permits.
Installation matters just as much. The bracket has to be anchored into solid structure, not just the facade, so the sign stays secure through wind and weather. A professional sign company will handle the engineering, permits, and installation so the sign is safe and compliant from day one.
Keeping Your Blade Sign in Shape
Over time, brackets can loosen, finishes can fade, and lighting can fail. A quick inspection each year keeps your sign safe and looking its best. If something does go wrong, our sign and lighting service team can repair hardware, replace lighting, and refresh faces so your sign keeps doing its job.
Ready to Stand Out on the Sidewalk?
Piros Signs designs, fabricates, and installs custom blade signs for businesses across the St. Louis area. Contact us to talk through your storefront and get a quote.