At Marsden Bros we regularly field enquiries about a cheaper alternative to Dibond and Dibond Digital. Yes, we can get a cheaper alternative but almost always there is a better alternative.
In order to manufacture a cheaper aluminium composite certain compromises have to be made. These compromises affect the ability of the sheet to look good for even a short period of time. By far the biggest cost reduction is to use a thinner aluminium skin. This causes a host of problems:
1. easily dented during fabrication, installation and service
2. sheet is likely to distort from excessive thermal expansion and contraction cycles, and lack of structural strength
3. skins are likely to delaminate from core due to thermal expansion and contraction cycles (and low-cost bonding processes)
4. panel will take on an "oil-can" appearance, much like a thin steel panel (i.e Signwhite)
Lower cost core materials will cause the following problems:
1. break down or delamination due to poor UV stabilisation
2. delamination due to inconsistent bonding process (giant toasted sandwich maker instead of Dibond continuous process)
3. must be edge-sealed
Then of course, lower cost coating technology means reduced life-span of the painted finish. That nice mill-finish side won't look so nice when it's yellowed and chalky after a couple of years in the sun!
There are many even lower-cost products that will do a better job. If you don't mind a dented, oil-canned sign then Signwhite is about as low-cost as you can get, readily available in almost any size, and easily guillotined or even tin-snipped to fabricate.
In many cases a Foamed PVC (sometimes known by trade names such as Palight, Foamalux, Forex, Trovicell or Celtec) will give a far superior sign in every aspect at about half the price! Foamed PVC is easier to fabricate (a knife will cut it), many times tougher, will last longer out in the sun, and will never-ever "oil-can" or delaminate.
In some cases Marsden Bubble Board will do the trick. It is very low cost, strong in every direction, won't delaminate, lasts about as long as cheap Aluminium Composite outdoors, and has a nice, smooth face.
It's worth thinking about -
As always, "horses for courses" is the best policy. That is where our technical knowledge can save you thousands of dollars in lost business and unhappy customers. We are more than happy to talk about your job and suggest or specify suitable, appropriate products for the job at hand. Naturally, we will tend towards our own products but if we genuinely think that there is a better product out there we will suggest the better product (for e.g, we don't sell Signwhite but it is often the best product for the job). Chances are you already have a very good idea of what to use on a job, but two heads are better than one and if you don't mind our input we're happy to collaborate. Call us today!