A new powder-coating technique offers an extremely convincing wood alternative, ideal for woodland wayfinding, forest trail markers or earthy urban store signage.
Wood is a fabulous, renewable material that is hugely versatile and visually impressive. However, our wet British weather means that exterior wooden signage often has to be replaced due to rot and loses its natural glow after a few years. Timber costs can also be quite high due to market instability and since they are a natural resource they can suffer from knots or warp.
Whilst metal has a far greater shelf life and can be easily recycled, it doesn’t have the environmentally friendly visual appeal that shouts ‘natural and crafted’. Until recently, a new powder-coating technique delivered an extremely convincing alternative to wood, ideal for woodland wayfinding, forest trail markers or earthy urban store signage. This effect is available in over 60 natural wood colours to suit your requirements. The lead time is slightly longer than regular powder coating due to the seven-part process that is necessary to achieve the natural grain appearance. As with real wood there is no repeat of the pattern and no two pieces will ever be the same.
This natural looking alternative to wood has many advantages. The graphic size is no longer limited by the size of the tree, so a seamless woodgrain finish can span the full size of the metal sheet. The metal can be shaped to look like a solid wooden block or post, but the weight will be significantly less, making transportation and installation easier and cheaper. Powder coated metal can be easily cleaned to look fresh and new and will often last much longer than wood in outdoor environments. Metal can also be easily recycled which makes you wonder if wood-effect metal is perhaps more environmentally friendly than wood itself…
