Key Takeaways
- Durability vs. Portability – Concrete excels in strength but lacks mobility; recycled rubber offers a balance of durability and portability.
- Sustainability matters in recycled tire rubber sign bases made from recycled materials – they contribute to eco-friendly infrastructure solutions.
- Application-driven choices help match the sign base material to specific needs, whether for permanent signage or portable parking signs.
When identifying reliable parking lot signage that minimizes congestion and collision risk in public and commercial parking lots, it’s important to find options for signage that offer safety, durability, and functionality. From parking lots to public spaces, visitors want to be provided with clear direction that eliminates guesswork and helps them safely and efficiently navigate parking facilities.
As a business owner, property manager, or public safety officer, you want to choose base materials that reliably guide drivers through your parking facilities with signage that indicates entrances and exits, designated accessible parking areas, drop-off points, curbside pick-up locations, etc. Traditional concrete sign bases have been used for many years but present challenges for traffic management.
Today, there is a growing demand for a more portable and sustainable sign base that provides excellent direction but is also more adaptable for the changes that come with managing parking lot traffic, e.g., high traffic volume during holidays and occasional outdoor events. Sign bases made from recycled materials, like recycled tire rubber, allow your business to meet essential safety requirements while also achieving broader environmental objectives.
Concrete Sign Bases
Ultra-heavy concrete sign bases can be used for high-traffic areas like parking lots and offer a sturdy foundation for displaying crucial directions to vehicles and pedestrians in the parking area. When designing or constructing a parking lot, it’s essential to understand both the pros and cons of concrete sign bases, including:
Pros
- High durability and resistance to extreme weather conditions
- Best used when signs need to remain static
Cons
- Challenging to move or reposition (and could cause injury to employees trying to relocate).
- Can crack, spall, or degrade over time due to weather changes and winter salt.
- Less sustainable option when compared to 100% post-consumer recycled materials.
- Not ideal for portable parking signs.
Rubber Sign Bases
Today, rubber sign bases are a top choice for signage in parking lots, garages, school crosswalks, shopping centers, and more. Rubber sign bases can even be customized to match your brand’s look. In addition, they are made in the USA using 100% post-consumer recycled tire materials and meet or exceed LEED-certified building requirements.
Pros
- Portable sign bases are easy to install and move, making them ideal for flexible traffic management in parking lots, construction sites or school zones, and temporary event signage.
- They can be wheeled with a cart or flat (flat bases can be easily tipped and rolled).
- Highly weather-resistant and easy to maintain (they don’t crumble or break down like concrete and never need repainting).
- Able to withstand impact while minimizing vehicle damage in a collision due to superior impact absorption of the rubber material. Build customer loyalty using eco-friendly products and repurposed materials.
Cons
- Cost can vary – choose a leader in the industry offering superior products for the best price.
Portable Sign Post Base
Safety is crucial for your customers and visitors, so using versatile recycled sign holders and portable sign stands is a superior way to display important parking information. They are also ideal for temporary events and seasonal parking adjustments. In addition, your signs should be compliant, meeting the Federal Highway Administration’s MUTCD requirements.
Portable sign stands can be used for a variety of informational and directional signs, from traffic direction signs like Stop or Yield signs to parking management signs like reserved parking, handicap parking, or loading zone signs.
FAQs
- What are the main differences between concrete and rubber sign bases?
When designing a sign program for a parking lot, school, or temporary flexible space, such as a construction site or event venue, it’s essential to utilize the best product for the purpose. While concrete parking bases are durable, they are also cumbersome and difficult to move if flexibility is necessary.
Rubber sign bases offer durability and portability, making them a more versatile choice that is safer for employees to move or relocate when needed. Rubber bases also come with a full range of signage choices and are an eco-friendly alternative since they are manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled materials.
- Which material is better for temporary signage?
Recycled rubber makes an excellent choice for portable parking signs. It is highly durable, easy to install, and can be moved, e.g., snow removal, storage or maintenance, or temporary events. Rubber portable parking signs can use wheeled carts or flat, where you tip and roll to a new location.
- Can rubber sign bases withstand extreme weather?
Yes, rubber parking sign bases are perfect for locations that experience extreme weather events. Their low center of gravity allows them to resist wind, rain, and snowstorms. Rubber sign bases are extremely durable and won’t crack, crumble, spall, chip, or rust. They also come in various colors that don’t fade and never need to be repainted.
- How do rubber sign bases support sustainability?
Rubber parking sign bases are made from 100% post-consumer recycled tire materials, which reduce landfill waste and support green initiatives. Eighty to 85% of consumers are interested in making purchase decisions with companies that express sustainability as a core value, and that number is even higher for millennials and Gen Z.
A Final Word
Understanding your portable parking sign application needs and aligning material choices is vital to take advantage of the best solutions. RubberForm’s leadership in parking lot management products offers rubber sign bases that are durable, reliable, and made from 100% post-consumer rubber. Our portable sign bases work in conjunction with our full array of recycled aluminum reflective directional signs.
Contact RubberForm to learn more about our high-quality portable sign stands, rubber sign bases, portable parking signs, and other parking lot safety and control options.
