Storefront Signs vs Building Signs: What’s the Difference?

What Are Storefront Signs?

Storefront signs are signs placed directly on or near the front of a business location. They are commonly used by retail stores, restaurants, cafes, salons, medical offices, and local service businesses.

These signs are designed to attract attention from pedestrians, drivers, and nearby customers while clearly identifying your business.

What Are Building Signs?

Building signs are exterior signs installed on a commercial building, office property, shopping center, or multi-tenant location. They are often larger and more focused on long-distance visibility.

Building signs help identify the property, tenant, or brand from the street, parking lot, or surrounding area.

Key Differences Between Storefront Signs and Building Signs

• Placement: Storefront signs are usually closer to the entrance; building signs are mounted on the building exterior.
• Purpose: Storefront signs attract walk-in customers; building signs improve property and brand visibility.
• Scale: Building signs are often larger and more visible from farther away.
• Use Case: Storefront signs work well for retail and restaurants; building signs work well for offices, commercial buildings, and multi-tenant properties.

Cost Factors

Pricing depends on several factors, including:

• Sign size
• Materials
• Illumination or LED lighting
• Mounting location
• Design complexity
• Installation requirements

Storefront signs may be more affordable for smaller businesses, while building signs can cost more due to size, height, lighting, and installation complexity.

Which Sign Type Is Best for Your Business?

Choose storefront signs if:

• You operate a retail store, restaurant, cafe, salon, or service location.
• You want to attract walk-in customers.
• Your business entrance needs stronger visibility.

Choose building signs if:

• You operate from a commercial building or office property.
• You need visibility from a parking lot or main road.
• You want a more permanent exterior branding solution.

FAQ

Are storefront signs and building signs the same?

Not exactly. Storefront signs usually focus on the front entrance of a business, while building signs are mounted on the exterior of a building for broader visibility.

Which sign is better for retail businesses?

Storefront signs are usually best for retail businesses because they help attract walk-in traffic and identify the business entrance.

Which sign is better for office buildings?

Building signs are usually better for office buildings because they provide exterior visibility and help identify the property or tenant.

Can building signs be illuminated?

Yes. Building signs can include LED lighting, channel letters, backlighting, or illuminated cabinets depending on the design and property requirements.