Choosing Between a Pylon vs. Monument Sign for Your Business

Choosing the right sign for your business can make a big difference when it comes to visibility, brand identity, and long-term financials. Pylon signs and monument signs are both popular types of freestanding signs that catch the eye of potential clients or customers. But while they’re similar in function, they’re very distinct in terms of structure, visibility, and compliance considerations.

As Austin’s premier sign company, our team at Highland Lakes Signs has expertise in both pylon and monument signs—and we’ve seen each successfully drive foot traffic that provides excellent ROI to businesses.

Today, we’re breaking down the differences between pylon signs vs. monument signs, including their distinct advantages and regulatory considerations. Let’s get started.

Pylon Sign vs. Monument Sign: What’s the Difference? 

The differences between pylon and monument signs are fairly easy to generalize, but there are exceptions to every rule. Pylon signs are typically tall, freestanding structures mounted on one or two large steel poles—often anywhere from 20–100 feet tall. 

Monument signs, on the other hand, have a lower profile of around 5–10 feet tall and often include aesthetic masonry materials, such as stone, brick, or stucco to match the architecture of surrounding buildings.

Some key similarities between pylon signs and monument signs include:

• Both are freestanding structures
• Both will frequently include a sign cabinet, and potentially a central supporting pole
• Both are typically large and grant a high degree of visibility for a business

Choosing the Right Sign for Your Business

The unique qualities of pylon and monument signs means that each will have their own ideal use cases. Here’s what to consider when choosing between these two sign types.

Local Building Regulations

In many cases, businesses won’t actually have much difficulty in choosing a pylon vs. monument sign. Some areas or jurisdictions simply won’t allow pylon signs, leaving monument signs as the only freestanding options.

Other municipal codes will heavily influence the design of your sign. For example, many Texas cities set height restrictions on pylon signs:

• Austin, TX: Height limit is 35 feet
• Round Rock, TX: Permits up to 50 feet
• San Marcos, TX: Allows pylon signs up to 120 feet tall

Luckily, our team at Highland Lakes Signs has a wealth of experience working within the constraints of municipal codes, zoning restrictions, and the rules put in place by organizations governing multi-tenant properties.

Visibility & Location

If both a pylon sign and a monument sign are potential options, one of the first things to consider is visibility and the location of your business.

Are you on a busy street, set back from the road, or located near a highway? A pylon sign will provide superior visibility to attract passing traffic.

Do you have direct road frontage in an area with slower-moving traffic or wide-open surroundings? A monument sign will likely be sufficient and cohere better with your surroundings.

We most often recommend pylon signs if your space allows for it, but some settings simply won’t benefit from the added visibility of a pylon sign.

Aesthetic & Brand Cohesion

If your brand relies heavily on an aesthetically pleasing storefront, this should also be taken into consideration. Monument signs featuring masonry or brickwork can seamlessly match your property’s design and give things a more upscale feel.

On the other hand, pylon signs simply outperform all other sign types when it comes to ensuring your business stands out from the crowd.

Budget

Of course, another major consideration is cost. Pylon signs typically cost more than a similarly sized monument sign. The pylon’s height is a significant factor. The reason for this is digging the foundation hole (the foundation must be as deep as one-third the height of the sign) and steel for the pole or poles supporting the sign.

Monument signs are typically less expensive, especially if they don’t include an illuminated cabinet or steel pole. While this can reduce the visibility, masonry-only structures using materials like limestone or brick can keep costs down while still offering a strong visual impact.

Highland Lakes Signs Can Help with Your Decision!

Both pylon and monument signs have their place in commercial signage, but the right choice depends on your property type, local ordinances, visibility needs, and budget.

At Highland Lakes Signs, we work closely with our clients to deliver custom signage solutions that align with their aesthetic needs, their budget, and of course any regulatory considerations. If you’re weighing a pylon sign vs. monument sign decision, our team is standing by to answer your questions and help you get started.

Ready to get started? Contact us today and let’s make your first impression!