Blade Signs & Double-Sided Projecting Signage
Abu Dhabi manufacturer of custom double-sided blade signs built for maximum pedestrian visibility. We fabricate illuminated, architectural-grade signs and manage DMT and TAMM permit compliance across the full delivery process.
What Blade Signs Cover
A blade sign is a fabricated sign structure mounted perpendicular to a building elevation, presenting branded faces in both directions simultaneously. Unlike a flat wall fascia visible only to pedestrians approaching head-on, a blade sign captures foot traffic from both directions along the walkway—making it the correct sign type for street-facing commercial fronts and retail corridors across Abu Dhabi.
Blade signs are fabricated with high-grade aluminium frames anodized or powder-coated in custom RAL colours, and UV-stable cast acrylic face panels selected to the illumination specification of each build. Cantilever bracket systems use 316 stainless steel fixings, engineered per installation. Illuminated variants pair GOQ CIRA LED modules with Mean Well HLG Series IP67 constant-voltage drivers, load-matched to Abu Dhabi ambient conditions.
Key Specification Facts
- Double-faced sign structure: branded graphics on both faces, visible simultaneously from both directions along the walkway.
- Cabinet frames fabricated from high-grade aluminium, anodized or powder-coated in custom RAL colours for outdoor durability.
- Acrylic face: PLEXIGLAS GS WH02 for standard illuminated builds; ASTARIGLAS DN for dark daytime, back-lit night appearance.
- LED illumination: GOQ CIRA modules depth-selected per build, paired with Mean Well HLG Series IP67 constant-voltage drivers.
Pricing, Delivery Timeline and Warranty Coverage
Projects vary by specification, material finish, and site access conditions. The figures below are for budgeting guidance only. Final pricing, lead time, and warranty are confirmed after locking project scope, technical review, and TAMM permit sequencing.
Quoting & Price Ranges
- Sign dimensions, projection depth, and number of signs required
- Material and face finish: aluminium RAL specification and acrylic grade selection
- Illumination configuration: LED-illuminated or non-illuminated build
- Bracket engineering: cantilever design, substrate anchoring, and structural load requirements
- Graphic film specification: translucent face film for illuminated variants
- Site logistics: building access, clearance requirements, and installation scheduling
Indicative Price Range in AED
850
-
5850
Per Sign
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Project Lead Time
Blade sign lead times are driven by sign dimensions, bracket fabrication complexity, TAMM permit sequencing, and site access conditions.
For Abu Dhabi exterior signs, TAMM permit confirmation must be in place before production is committed—this governs the overall project timeline, not just the installation phase.
As a general guide, straightforward blade sign projects complete within 5 to 10 working days from production start; larger or more complex installations require 14 to 21 days, depending on scope, approvals, and site conditions.
- Permit submission via TAMM is required before production commitment on public-facing exterior signs in Abu Dhabi.
- Fabrication timelines extend with sign size, bracket complexity, and custom RAL finishing requirements.
- Installation is scheduled to building access windows, safety controls, and any required inspections.
Warranty and Aftercare
12 Months from Handover
Warranty Coverage Includes
- Structural integrity of the sign assembly: frame, fixings, brackets, and mounting performance as installed.
- Workmanship and fabrication quality: alignment, finishing, and assembly.
- LED modules and Mean Well HLG Series drivers, applicable to illuminated blade sign variants only.
Exclusions
Damage after handover, vandalism, impact, extreme weather beyond design assumptions, power fluctuations (for illuminated signs), water ingress from building/substrate issues, and unauthorized modifications or relocation by others.
Technical Specifications — Blade Signs in Abu Dhabi
- Bracket and Structural Load Engineering: Blade signs project under wind and vibration loading. Cantilever brackets with gusset reinforcement and 316 stainless steel fixings anchor the sign to the façade. Bracket size and anchor specification are set per installation based on sign dimensions and substrate.
- Cabinet Frame Construction: Frames are fabricated from high-grade aluminium, anodized or powder-coated in custom RAL colours. Aluminium maintains structural stability under Abu Dhabi thermal cycling. Powder-coat and anodize finishes sustain colour under UV exposure and salt-influenced coastal air.
- Acrylic Face Material Selection: Two acrylic face grades are used. PLEXIGLAS GS WH02—5 mm opal white cast acrylic—is the standard illuminated sign face. ASTARIGLAS DN suits dark daytime appearance with back-lit nighttime illumination. These are distinct grades with distinct applications and are not interchangeable.
- LED Illumination System: GOQ CIRA modules are selected by depth. 3WS108 (10,000K, 1.08W, IP68, Samsung chip) for depths as low as 3 inches; 3WC072 (10,000K, 0.72W, IP68, Samsung chip) for 5 to 10 inch builds. Both carry a 5-year warranty. Modules pair with Mean Well HLG Series IP67 drivers per load and voltage.
- Graphic Film and Perimeter Sealing: Translucent graphics on illuminated faces use 3M Envision Series 3730 film, LED-optimized for internally illuminated sign applications. Perimeter sealing uses DOWSIL 791—medium-modulus, neutral chemistry, ±50% joint movement—for Abu Dhabi thermal cycling at the sign-to-wall junction.
Where Blade Signs Work Best
- High-Street Retail and Boutiques: Retail operators where foot traffic moves parallel to the building line. The blade sign captures approaching customers from both directions before they reach the storefront. Effective where adjacent structures or canopies reduce the visibility of the main wall fascia sign.
- Cafés and Restaurants: Cafés and restaurants in pedestrian zones where trade continues into the evening. An illuminated blade sign identifies the entrance after dark and functions as an entrance marker for customers approaching from a direction where the main fascia sign is not visible.
- Mall Corridors and Retail Galleries: Tenants in mall galleries where customers move along the corridor rather than scanning storefronts. A blade sign identifies the store from both directions. In uniform-height gallery environments, the projecting element adds visible depth that flat fascia signs cannot achieve.
- Clinics and Multi-Tenant Plazas: Clinics and professional practices where multiple operators share the same building line. A blade sign identifies a specific entrance without additional façade allocation, helping patients find the correct door. Applicable to mezzanine tenants where standard fascia positions are constrained.
- Grade A Office Tenants and Corporate Occupiers: Corporate occupiers requiring lobby-adjacent identification in Abu Dhabi commercial buildings. A blade sign presents corporate identity from both approach directions in a structurally defined format, where the entrance face alone provides insufficient visibility from the building approach path.
The Commercial Case for Projecting Blade Signs in Abu Dhabi
- Two-Directional Sightline Capture: Foot traffic moves parallel to storefronts on Abu Dhabi high streets and mall corridors. A flat fascia sign reaches only customers already in front of the store. A blade sign is visible from both directions—the core commercial argument for projecting signage.
- Nighttime Visibility: Abu Dhabi's nighttime retail and hospitality economy is commercially significant. An illuminated blade sign using GOQ CIRA LED modules and Mean Well HLG Series IP67 drivers maintains brand visibility after dark without overheating, extending sightline presence beyond daytime trading hours.
- Permit-Ready Specification as Commercial Protection: Exterior signs in Abu Dhabi require TAMM portal submission under the DMT signage framework. Meeting DMT rules before production is committed avoids post-installation modification costs, protecting the project budget and timeline from compliance-driven rework.
- Structural Specification for Abu Dhabi Conditions: Cantilever brackets with 316 stainless steel fixings and aluminium frames in anodized or powder-coated RAL finishes resist sustained UV, thermal cycling, and coastal air—protecting the sign asset and avoiding early replacement from fixing or frame failure.
- Entrance Identification in Multi-Tenant Environments: In multi-tenant buildings, a blade sign identifies a specific entrance without additional façade allocation. For clinics and regulated operators, clear entrance identification has direct commercial consequences—clients who cannot find the correct door do not convert.
- Structural Identity for Grade A Premises: A projecting sign adds physical depth to the entry sequence that flat wall graphics cannot match. In Abu Dhabi's commercial market, this structural presence signals an established business to first-time visitors and supports corporate identity in a defined format.
Complete the Outdoor Signage Scope
Blade signs address one element of a commercial frontage. Pair them with a storefront signboard for front-on identification, a backlit lightbox for illuminated fascia branding, or a pylon sign for site-entry approach visibility. Ninety Nine Advertising fabricates and installs across all sign types within a single project scope.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common inquiries about our products covering pricing, warranty and installation in Abu Dhabi.
What is the minimum clearance height for a Projecting blade sign?
Clearance requirements vary by location and TAMM permit conditions. A common operational baseline is 2.5 to 3.0 metres from finished ground level to the bottom edge of the sign. The precise clearance is confirmed during the site survey and aligned with any landlord or authority conditions at the installation address. For mezzanine positions, height and projection are set to avoid conflict with other tenant signage and to meet building sign rules.
How are blade signs rated for wind loading in Abu Dhabi?
Blade signs project outward, placing cantilever loads on the mounting point under wind and vibration. Wind loading is calculated per installation based on sign dimensions, projection depth, and façade substrate—not applied as a fixed specification. Cantilever brackets with gusset reinforcement and 316 stainless steel fixings keep the assembly anchored and stable. The bracket and anchor specification is confirmed before fabrication commences.
Can each face carry a different graphic or message?
Each face of a blade sign is produced independently, so different graphics, messages, or language variants are achievable. Many operators run identical branding on both faces for consistency. Where different face content is specified—for example, English on one side and Arabic on the other—this is addressed at design review stage. Any content variation must be consistent with the TAMM permit drawings confirmed before production begins.
Can each face carry a different graphic or message?
A blade sign on a public-facing exterior elevation in Abu Dhabi is a fixed advertisement signboard requiring TAMM portal permit submission under the DMT signage framework. The permit governs sign dimensions, placement zone, content, and electrical specification for illuminated variants. Production is not committed before permit confirmation—a non-compliant sign may require modification or removal at the applicant's cost.