Wayfinding signs hold a special place when it comes to advertising. These signage solutions make navigation simpler and easier for people. These signs can be installed in both interior and exterior environments, uplifting the customers’ or visitors’ overall experience and reducing frustration.
Though both wayfinding signs have the same purpose, their application, design, materials and aesthetics are not the same. You need to consult with the best sign company in Mississauga to identify which types of wayfinding will go well with your branding. Learn more from our blog about the prime differences between indoor and outdoor wayfinding signs and which one is apt for your brand.
1. Environmental Considerations
Indoor
Mississauga’s harsh weather conditions don’t influence the visibility and functionality of indoor wayfinding signs. So, you can opt for lightweight materials like acrylic, PVC, or vinyl. When installed in corporate offices or shopping complexes, they make navigation simpler for officegoers and visitors.
Outdoor
The visibility of these signs is highly influenced by the city’s diverse weather conditions. These signs distinguishability is impacted by rain, heavy snow, and direct sunlight. By choosing durable materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, and high-pressure laminates, you can intact their visibility.
2. Design and Aesthetics
Indoor
Indoor signs in Mississauga focus on aesthetics and branding. Choose the designs and elements wisely so that they complement the overall aesthetics.
Outdoor
On the other hand, outdoor signs prioritize the functionality and visibility of your brand.
You need to make them large so that they are visible from afar. Use fonts and bold background colors to uplift readability in different lighting conditions. Some outdoor wayfinding signs come up with directional arrows and maps to offer clear instructions and guidance to customers.
3. Navigation and User Interaction
Indoor
Corporate offices are using touchscreen kiosks, AR apps, and Bluetooth icons to support visitors find their ultimate destinations. Some brands even include QR codes so that people can know more about their brands on mobile devices.
Outdoor
As outdoor signs are exposed continuously to various weather conditions of the city, it’s difficult to maintain digital technology for these signs. Outdoor signs mostly possess directional arrows, maps, and large-scale guideposts.
4. Placement and Installation
Indoor
You need to carefully install indoor wayfinding solutions at the main gate of your building, reception desks, lift areas, etc. so that people can’t ignore them. Ceiling-mounted signs, wall decals, and floor graphics are popular solutions that make navigation comfortable for visitors and employees in intricate spaces.
Outdoor
Thoughtful planning is required before placing outdoor signs. You need to maintain visibility in every aspect. You may install these signs at parking lots, intersections, public transit stops, etc., for the highest visibility.
5. Lighting and Visibility
Indoor
You are placing indoor signs in inside environments, so you don’t need external illumination. But if these signs are installed in low-lit areas like hotel corridors, parking areas, etc., you can use backlit or illuminated signs to improve visibility.
Outdoor
Additional lighting systems like LEDs, solar-powered illuminated lights or recycled lighting elements are required to enhance the visibility of outdoor signs. Proper lighting systems make these signs visible 24/7.
6. Compliance and Regulations
Indoor
All your indoor wayfinding signage solutions must follow the Disabilities Act (ADA) in Canada or other places. Under this act, you need to use braille signage, high-contrast text, and appropriate heights so that everyone, including disabled people, can visualize them.
Outdoor
The outdoor signage solutions must follow the local municipality’s regulations in terms of traffic and accessibility standards.
7. Cost and Maintenance
Indoor
You need to invest less effort to maintain indoor signs. These signs stay protected from harsh outside environmental conditions. But, if you prefer digital indoor signs, you need to replace and update the software and hardware systems for maximum performance.
Outdoor
The best exterior signs in Mississauga come with a higher cost due to the use of robust materials and weather-resistant coatings. You need to spend a lot on regular maintenance like cleaning, repainting, or replacement due to over-exposure or wear and tear.
Conclusion:
If you want to simplify the navigation and improve users’ experience, both indoor and outdoor wayfinding solutions are crucial for businesses. You need to evaluate certain parameters like business objectives, location, environmental factors, visibility, and maintenance considerations.
For top-grade quality wayfinding solutions, get in touch with Signs Depot, which offers bespoke indoor and outdoor signage options. Our professionals will suggest you choose the best materials for wayfinding solutions to maintain the appearance and functionality of signs in public spaces. Whether you need stylish and modish indoor signs for a corporate office or durable outdoor wayfinding for a large complex, we provide the best signs that meet your requirements.
