Extruded vs. increment panel signs - which do you prefer?

[Pink Jazz]

I wonder, which sign fabrication method do you prefer - extruded panel or increment panel?

I personally prefer extruded.  To me, extruded panel signs appear to be sturdier than their increment panel counterparts.

Also, as a side question: it seems that the use of increment panel signs is heavily concentrated on the East Coast.  Is there any particular reason why?

[Zeffy]

Can we get some examples here for the people like me who are clueless to some things (like engineering terms)?

[hbelkins]

Can we get some examples here for the people like me who are clueless to some things (like engineering terms)?

Pennsylvania uses extruded panels. New York uses increment panels.

[jakeroot]

Whichever one allows for rounded corners (so increment, I suppose).

[Pink Jazz]

Extruded panel signs are typically assembled using multiple horizontal extruded segments, have a corrugated appearance on the rear, and usually have square corners.

Increment panel signs use flat sheets that get "stitched" together with bolts or rivets, and usually have rounded corners.

[cl94]

Can we get a list of which states/toll agencies/cities (if applicable) use each?

Extruded:
Connecticut
Indiana
Illinois
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Hampshire
New Jersey (NJDOT, Port Authority)
Ohio (ODOT, OTC)
Pennsylvania (PennDOT, PTC)
Rhode Island
Vermont

Increment:
New Jersey (NJTA)
New York (NYSDOT, NYSTA, TBTA)

[hbelkins]

Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee use extruded.

North Carolina uses increment. Virginia used to exclusively use increment but they're starting to use some increment.

[Pink Jazz]

Arizona uses extruded, and I think New Mexico does as well.

Florida uses increment except for logo signs which use extruded. I presume the reason for using extruded panels for logo signs is due to them being more easily expanded to add additional rows when an existing sign needs more logos added.

[thenetwork]

It's easier to tell the age of an extruded panel sign as the corrugated backs tend to show dirt and grime much quicker.  This especially holds true in states like Ohio, which use the extruded signs.

That said, I like the Increment Panels because overall they look cleaner -- front AND back, and they have a smoother-looking finish on the front of the signs.

Plus the corrugation reminds me of those roll-up industrial doors (like the ones you often see at self storage facilities).

[cjk374]

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4173.msg91552#msg91552

[riiga]

Extruded which is also what Sweden uses.

[Mergingtraffic]

This is extruded:


This is not:

[jakeroot]

Can we get a list of which states/toll agencies/cities (if applicable) use each?
...
Increment:
New Jersey (NJTA)
New York (NYSDOT, NYSTA, TBTA)

Go ahead and add Washington State (WSDOT) to your list of increment users. A bit surprised to notice this on the way home from work today. I don't believe either Oregon or California use increment.

Now, if we could go ahead and round off our corners, because apparently that's the "increment" thing to do, that'd be great.

[roadman]

Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee use extruded.

North Carolina uses increment. Virginia used to exclusively use increment but they're starting to use some increment extruded.

FIFY

[myosh_tino]

I don't believe either Oregon or California use increment.

I believe you are correct.  California uses laminated panels or formed panels.

[KEK Inc.]

Oregon uses extruded.

[SignGeek101]

I'm assuming due to Jake's examples, extruded signs are the ones with the horizontal lines on them, right 

Someone can can correct me if I'm wrong, but according to this, BC uses extruded.

Example: https://goo.gl/maps/1sI1M

Manitoba uses the same as BC.

[Mergingtraffic]

I'm assuming due to Jake's examples, extruded signs are the ones with the horizontal lines on them, right 

Someone can can correct me if I'm wrong, but according to this, BC uses extruded.

Example: https://goo.gl/maps/1sI1M

Manitoba uses the same as BC.

ooooooor you can look at my examples above

[thenetwork]

I'm assuming due to Jake's examples, extruded signs are the ones with the horizontal lines on them, right 

Someone can can correct me if I'm wrong, but according to this, BC uses extruded.

Example: https://goo.gl/maps/1sI1M

Manitoba uses the same as BC.

Depending on how or when they are sheeted, extruded signs don't necessarily have the "lines" showing on the front of the sign -- it could look completely smooth when newly installed.  Conversely, a state or local DOT could use incremental metal panels to install as a new front over an old extruded signface.  Ohio used to do this a lot in the button-copy days and there are a still a few examples around Columbus.

[machias]

I'm assuming due to Jake's examples, extruded signs are the ones with the horizontal lines on them, right 

Someone can can correct me if I'm wrong, but according to this, BC uses extruded.

Example: https://goo.gl/maps/1sI1M

Manitoba uses the same as BC.

Depending on how or when they are sheeted, extruded signs don't necessarily have the "lines" showing on the front of the sign -- it could look completely smooth when newly installed.  Conversely, a state or local DOT could use incremental metal panels to install as a new front over an old extruded signface.  Ohio used to do this a lot in the button-copy days and there are a still a few examples around Columbus.

I seem to remember quite a few signs in Virginia along I-81 that have square corners but are really just panels bolted over an existing incremental paneled sign with rounded corners.  Seems like a reasonable way for the DOT to save money.

[Rothman]

From what I saw driving around Salt Lake earlier this week, Utah = increment.

[DaBigE]

Wisconsin = extruded

[JoePCool14]

Based on my recent road trip to the east coast, I like the way North Carolina does their increment, but Virginia not so much. NC's signs were cleanly made, didn't use Clearview, and were well-maintained. Illinois uses extruded and I like that as well. I think they are both pretty good as long as the sign designs are fine.

[route17fan]

I have always preferred increment panel - as my home state of Ohio, at one time ca. 1970s, used both. I just like the look of the rounded corners (and button copy to boot)