Door Signs vs Projecting Signs: Which is Right?
Door signs and projecting signs serve different purposes in a care home wayfinding system. This guide compares the two, explains when each excels, and shows how combining them creates the most effective navigation environment.
Choosing between door signs and projecting signs is one of the most common decisions care home managers face when upgrading their wayfinding environment. The answer is rarely one or the other -- most DSDC-accredited facilities use both types strategically. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each will help you invest your signage budget where it delivers the greatest benefit for residents living with dementia.
Door Signs: Strengths and Limitations#
Door signs mount flat against the wall beside the door frame. They are the most common sign type in care homes and serve as the primary room identifier. A well-designed dementia-friendly door sign features high-contrast colours, a realistic pictogram, clear large text, and optionally Braille and tactile elements. DSDC 1A-accredited door signs use specific colour contrast ratios and image styles validated by research. Their limitation is visibility: they can only be read when you are standing close to the door and facing the wall.
Projecting Signs: Strengths and Limitations#
Projecting signs mount perpendicular to the wall, presenting information along the corridor. They are visible from much greater distances and from both approach directions. Their limitation is that they provide less detail -- typically a room name and pictogram rather than the full information set of a door sign. They also protrude from the wall, which requires careful mounting height to avoid obstruction.
Quick comparison of door signs vs projecting signs:
- Visibility range: Door signs 1-2 metres; Projecting signs 10+ metres
- Detail level: Door signs can include text, image, Braille, and tactile; Projecting signs typically show image and short text
- Mounting: Door signs sit flush; Projecting signs protrude 100-150mm
- Best for bedrooms: Door signs (personalised with resident name and photo)
- Best for corridors: Projecting signs (visible from distance along hallway)
- Cost: Door signs are generally less expensive per unit than projecting signs
The Combined Approach#
The most effective wayfinding systems use both sign types together. A projecting sign draws the resident's attention from a distance, guiding them toward the correct area. As they approach, the door sign confirms the room identity and provides additional information such as Braille. This layered approach is endorsed by the DSDC and is a hallmark of best-practice dementia-friendly environments.
Pro Tip
Prioritise projecting signs for communal rooms that residents need to find regularly: toilets, dining rooms, lounges, and activity rooms. Use door signs for every room, and add projecting signs at high-traffic decision points first, then expand as budget allows.
Budget constraint? Start with door signs on every room, then add projecting signs to the five most commonly needed destinations
main toilets, dining room, lounge, reception, and garden access. This covers the majority of wayfinding journeys.
Cost Considerations#
A typical 40-bed care home might need 50-70 door signs (bedrooms, bathrooms, communal rooms, staff areas) and 10-15 projecting signs at key decision points. Door signs represent the larger quantity but lower per-unit cost. Projecting signs are a smaller quantity at a slightly higher per-unit cost. The combined investment in both types is modest relative to the improvement in resident independence, reduced staff time spent redirecting lost residents, and better inspection outcomes.
Recommended Products
All our door signs and projecting signs are DSDC 1A accredited, manufactured from 5mm solid white acrylic with textured 3D print. Optional Braille and tactile elements are available across the full range. Order a free sample to compare the quality before committing.
Whether you choose door signs, projecting signs, or a combination of both, the key is consistency. Use the same colour scheme, imagery style, and mounting height throughout your facility to build a coherent visual language that residents can learn and rely on.
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