Coroplast vs aluminum signs: which one should you order?
Both are rigid, both go outdoors, and they look similar in a photo. Here is how to pick between fluted coroplast and ACM aluminum for your next sign.
Naqsh Signs teamPublished 2 min read
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The question we hear most often at the quote stage is simple: coroplast or aluminum? Both are rigid, both print in full colour, and both live outdoors. The difference is how long the sign has to last and how it will be mounted.
Coroplast: light, cheap, made for the short run
Coroplast is fluted polypropylene, the same corrugated plastic you see on lawn signs everywhere in the GTA. It is waterproof, very light and inexpensive, which makes it the default for anything temporary.
- 4mm is the classic lawn sign and takes wire H-stakes. See 4mm coroplast yard signs.
- 6mm is sturdier and still works with H-stakes when the flutes run vertically.
- 10mm stays flat on big site boards, but the flutes are too wide for H-stakes, so it mounts to posts or screws.
Aluminum (ACM): the sign you only buy once
ACM, often called Dibond or alupanel, is two thin aluminum skins bonded to a solid core. It will not warp, bow or rust through a Toronto summer or winter, and it takes a clean edge for a premium look. It is the right choice for storefronts, parking and wayfinding signs, and anything screwed to a wall for years.
What is inside each one, and how it goes up
- Flutes. Coroplast is corrugated plastic, light and waterproof.
- H-stake. Its wire legs slide up into the flutes: 4mm, or 6mm with the flutes running vertically.
- Two aluminum skins on a solid core. That is why ACM will not warp or bow.
- Screws or standoffs. ACM is fixed to a wall, post or frame for years.
Side by side
| Coroplast | Aluminum (ACM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Campaigns, events, lawn and jobsite signs | Permanent exterior and storefront signs |
| Lifespan | A season or a campaign | Years |
| Mounting | H-stakes, zip ties, tape | Screws, standoffs, posts, frames |
| Weight | Very light | Light, but rigid and solid |
| Cost | Lowest | Higher, but you buy it once |
Still not sure? Send us the size, where it is going and how long it needs to last, and we will recommend the material in your quote. You can also compare every option in rigid & temporary signs.
- #coroplast
- #aluminum
- #outdoor signs
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