At Star Neon…
customers come to us looking for high-quality custom neon signs, and a question that often arises relates to the difference between glass neon lights and their LED counterparts. It’s one we regularly have to explain – something that prompted us to create this blog so that everyone can get the lowdown on how the two differ.
Whether you’re looking for neon light signs for your office or home, both glass and LED neon lights offer an impressive and striking look. That said, there are some fundamental differences that may influence your buying decision. Before any comparisons or recommendations are made, let’s take a closer look at each type of neon light in detail.
So, What Is a Neon Light?
Traditionally speaking, neon lights (which have been around since the early 20th century) are constructed from glass tubing, with shapes and words being expertly created by an expert tube bender over a fire. Once the desired shape is achieved, it goes through a high-voltage cleaning process before being filled with a range of noble (a.k.a inert) gases.
Despite being called neon signs, they often contain inert different gases – as the inclusion of each one will result in a different colour. For instance, neon will typically result in red light, whereas argon creates light blue colouring, with various inert gases used to create the desired hue. They include:
Whether you’re looking for neon light signs for your office or home, both glass and LED neon lights offer an impressive and striking look. That said, there are some fundamental differences that may influence your buying decision. Before any comparisons or recommendations are made, let’s take a closer look at each type of neon light in detail.
They include:
Helium
Nitrogen
Krypton
Oxygen
Xenon
Once filled, the glass tube is vacuum sealed and mounted on the desired surface, emitting 360-degree light in the intended tone. As each neon sign is typically manufactured from a single tube, it’s usually necessary to paint certain areas black in order to create separation between words & pictures.
So, What Is a Neon Light?
Once filled, the glass tube is vacuum sealed and mounted on the desired surface, emitting 360-degree light in the intended tone. As each neon sign is typically manufactured from a single tube, it’s usually necessary to paint certain areas black in order to create separation between words & pictures.
Longlasting
can last up to 15 years or more
Unmistakable aesthetic
there’s nothing quite as authentic
Warmer light
the light emitted is generally warmer vs LEDs
Warmer light
the light emitted is generally warmer vs LEDs
and the drawbacks…
Can be fragile
due to being made of glass
Can be expensive
compared to LEDs
Can be heavy
making signs difficult to move/transport
Can be noisy
with an audible hum usually heard
What About LED Neon Lights?
While LED lights themselves have been around since the early 1960s, LED neon lights and signs only became commercially popular in the last 15-20 years. Known currently as LED neon Flex technology, it’s an option that replicates what traditional neon lights provide but is achieved not with inert gas but with a strip that contains many small LED lights.
It’s well known that LEDs themselves only represent individual, small points of light, so how is the uniform glow that LED neon signs produce created? Well, the magic happens when these LED lights are encased in a coloured PVC or silicone layer that diffuses the light to mimic the softer light hues you’d get from a traditional neon tube.
Acrylic Backgrounds Only
As we mentioned earlier, the traditional glass neon lights UAE businesses & residents use can be installed on a variety of background materials or even directly onto a wall. However, that’s not the case with LEDs, as they can only ever be mounted on a coloured or transparent acrylic background. LED neon is limited, but only in this regard.
That said, they do offer an array of benefits
Typically less expensive
compared to traditional glass neon options
Much less visible wiring
in between letters and images
Brighter illumination
LEDs are usually brighter than standard glass neon
Silent running
no audible hum this time, folks!
Lightweight design
no glass means they’re much lighter & easy to move/transport
Less fragile
meaning much less likely to break when moved
Typically less expensive
compared to traditional glass neon options
Much less visible wiring
in between letters and images
As is the case with any type of product, there are some drawbacks
Shorter lifespan
lasts up to 2-3 years, depending on how often they are switched on
Less Authentic
for those wanting a traditional glass neon look (although they do still look very striking and impressive).
So, Which Is Best? LED Neon Signs or Glass Neon?
As we’ve seen, both glass and LED neon signs offer their own unique benefits. Let’s now bring both sets of pros and cons together to clearly highlight the most important takeaways
Pros of Glass Neon
Longlasting (Up to 15 Years)
Authentic aesthetic
Produces warmer light
Longlasting (Up to 15 Years)
Longlasting (Up to 15 Years)
Pros of LED Neon
Less expensive
Brighter Illumination
Silent Running
Lightweight design (Easy to transport)
No visible wiring
Pros of LED Neon
Less expensive
Brighter Illumination
Silent Running
Lightweight design (Easy to transport)
No visible wiring
Pros of Glass Neon
Longlasting (Up to 15 Years)
Authentic aesthetic
Produces warmer light
Longlasting (Up to 15 Years)
Longlasting (Up to 15 Years)
On the one hand, you have the traditional glass neon sign Dubai customers use to provide an authentic, warmly lit aesthetic, and that can represent the much more expensive option.
On the other, you have LED neon light signs that are super-economical in terms of energy use, inexpensive compared to glass, but offer only around 1/5th of the operational lifespan. So, which is best for your precise needs? The truth is, there is no right or wrong answer.
Factors such as the required look, budget and purpose will go a long way to determining the correct option. It could be that you’re looking for a striking piece of home wall art that requires the inimitable feel of traditional glass neon or that you want cost-effective, eye-catching neon signage for your business. The ideal solution for each may be different.
Meeting All of Your Neon Light Needs
At Star Neon, we offer the full range of custom neon signs for both indoor and outdoor settings, both for residential and commercial customers. We’re known as one of the most innovative signage manufacturers in the UAE, and our technicians have the talent and expertise required to make your vision a reality.
We hope that our blog has provided the clarity you needed with regard to the distinct differences between traditional glass, gas-filled neon lights and their LED counterparts. To find out more about this or what sets us apart from the competition, visit us today at www.starneonuae.com or to speak to us about your needs, call 50 316 2123.