How Long Do the Different Grades of Reflective Sheet Last?

If you’ve ever driven down the interstate in the dead of night, then you know there usually isn’t much to see. Every once in a while, you might spot a pair of taillights in front of you or the headlights of a car zooming past. But otherwise, it’s just you, your sleeping passengers and the road signs you pass along the way. Without much distraction, you probably notice that they’re everywhere: road signs. And lately, they’re harder to miss.

Have you ever thought about the technology used to make road signs easy to see? The effectiveness of road signs has increased immensely over the years. A majority of road signage is equipped with reflective sheeting so that safety and directional signs on roadways nationwide can easily draw in the attention of drivers’. A lot of thought goes into road signs to make sure they are visible and readable by drivers. For example, manufacturers of reflective sheeting have improved design by engineering products that better reflect newer headlights in late-model vehicles.

There are 3 types of reflective sheeting commonly used on road signs in America, including: Engineer Grade, High-Intensity Prismatic (HIP) Grade and Diamond Grade. They differ in a number of ways, but most noticeably is the amount of time each grade lasts.

Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting

Engineer Grade sheeting is typically used for commercial and non-critical traffic signs, such as parking signs. The reflective sheeting lasts for approximately 5 to 7 years and is not as reflective as other types of sheeting. Visibility is from 400 to 600 feet.

Dornbos Sign & Safety, Inc. supplies Engineer Grade reflective sheeting in a number of colors and sizes, including:

• Red
• Blue
• Green
• Yellow
• Brown
• White
• 24” x 50 yards
• 30” x 50 yards
• 35” x 50 yards
• 48” x 50 yards

High Intensity Prismatic Reflective Sheeting

HIP reflective sheeting can last up to 12 years or longer. It is pricier than Engineer Grade sheeting, but it is highly reflective during the day and at night, and it competes with the many distractions that drivers face while traveling by car. Road signs with HIP reflective sheeting are visible from 800 to 1,200 feet away.

Dornbos Sign & Safety, Inc. sells High Intensity Prismatic reflective sheeting in a multitude of colors and sizes:

• Red
• Blue
• Green
• Black
• Brown
• Yellow
• Orange
• White
• 24” x 50 yards
• 30” x 50 yards
• 35” x 50 yards
• 48” x 50 yards

Diamond Grade Reflective Sheeting

Visible from 1,300 to 1,600 feet away, Diamond Grade is the most effective reflective sheeting available. Diamond Grade sheeting returns 60% of light sent its way, which is twice as much as HIP sheeting. This type of sheeting also lasts 12 years or longer.

Dornbos Sign & Safety, Inc. provides DG sheeting in a variety of colors and sizes, including:

• Red
• Blue
• Green
• Yellow
• Brown
• White
• 24” x 50 yards
• 30” x 50 yards
• 35” x 50 yards
• 48” x 50 yards

Check Out Dorbos Sign & Safety, Inc. Today!

By visiting our website, you can take a look at the many options of reflective sheeting that our store supplies. If you have questions, reach out to us by calling 800-922-4044 or fill out our online contactform.