Will brass halo letters tarnish?

Bare solid brass darkens and spots outdoors over time. A clear lacquer slows this, and coated brass-effect finishes on a steel base are more stable still. Some owners like the aged patina; others want the polished look kept, so decide before ordering.

Can halo letters go on dark brick?

They can, but the halo will be faint because dark surfaces absorb light. The usual answer is a pale backing panel behind the letters, giving the glow a clean surface. Face-and-halo letters are another option, where the lit face does most of the work.

Is there a typical lead time for halo-lit letters in Belfast?

Yes, though it varies with the job. The lead time typically runs from the day you approve the proof, not from the first enquiry, and is typically a few weeks. Survey visits, artwork changes and any consent application sit before that point, so getting photos, sizes and logo files to us early typically shortens the overall timescale.

Can I get a fixed price for halo-lit letters in Belfast before committing?

Yes. We start from the guide range, £160 to £420 per letter excluding VAT, then measure up or look at your photos and artwork. That gives a fixed written price reflecting the real size, materials, access and any design or consent work. You only commit once you accept that price and approve the proof.

Can you handle halo-lit letters for a business in Belfast?

Yes. Smart Signs covers Belfast and the rest of County Antrim as part of a UK-wide service. You send photos and rough sizes, we arrange a survey if the job needs one, then you receive a proof to scale and a fixed written price. Nothing is made or fitted until you have approved both.

How far off the wall do halo letters sit?

Usually 25–50 mm. Closer gives a tight, bright outline; further gives a softer, wider glow and makes the letters seem to float. Larger letters generally sit further out. The distance is set on the drawings and fine-tuned on the locators during fitting.

Halo-lit letters in County Antrim

Halo-lit letters are solid-faced fabricated letters with LEDs inside that shine backwards onto the wall, so each letter stands in silhouette against a soft outline of light.

Why choose halo-lit letters in County Antrim?

At a Belfast hotel entrance, brushed steel or brass halo letters read as part of the building's architecture.
Next to bright lightboxes on a Belfast parade, a soft halo stands apart by being gentler rather than brighter.
Where a Belfast building has pale stone or smooth render, halo lighting shows off the wall rather than hiding it.

Guide prices in County Antrim

We publish guide prices so you can plan before you get in touch. For halo-lit letters the range is £160–£420 per letter, not including VAT, and the final price is confirmed after we survey the site or check the artwork.

Halo-lit letters in County Antrim: guide prices, supplied and fitted
Item	Guide, ex VAT	Inc. VAT (20%)
Halo-lit letter, 300–600 mm	£160 – £420	£192 – £504
Typical business name (10–14 letters)	£2,800 – £9,800	£3,360 – £11,760
Final electrical connection by an electrician	£150 – £350	£180 – £420

Guide price: £160–£420 + VAT per halo-lit letter 300–600 mm tall, or £2,800–£9,800 + VAT for a typical 10–14 letter name, plus a guide £150–£350 + VAT for the electrician's final connection. Prices exclude VAT and are confirmed after survey and artwork check.

Consent for illuminated signs in County Antrim

Under the Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, an illuminated fascia or projecting sign usually needs express consent from the council. Applications go in online via the NI Planning Portal, and the council will tell you its timescale and may set conditions on hours or light levels. PLG05 from the Institution of Lighting Professionals is the usual brightness benchmark, and flashing is generally out. Listed premises usually need listed building consent alongside. Once installed, the sign is connected to the mains by an electrician to BS 7671, with a certificate for you. We can prepare the drawings or submit the application.

Options worth considering

Painted or powder-coated

Any RAL colour; matt black gives the boldest silhouette.

Brushed stainless

Grade 304, or 316 near the coast; cool and hard-wearing.

Brass or bronze

Warm faces for hospitality, lacquered to slow tarnishing.

Towns in County Antrim

Find your town in the list to open its page for halo-lit letters. If it is not listed, ask anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, not limited to these places in County Antrim.

Anywhere in County Antrim, the first step is the same: send photos and rough sizes for a free quote on halo-lit letters. You approve a proof to scale before anything is made.