When to Use Projecting Signs in Care Homes
Projecting signs mount perpendicular to the wall, making them visible from both directions along a corridor. Discover when and where they deliver the greatest wayfinding benefit in dementia care settings.
Projecting signs -- sometimes called blade signs or flag signs -- mount perpendicular to the wall so that text and imagery face along the corridor rather than toward the viewer standing directly in front. That means the sign is visible from along the corridor, before the reader has reached the door it belongs to.
Why Projecting Signs Matter in Dementia Care#
A standard door sign is only legible when you are standing close to the door and facing it. In a long corridor, a resident may pass the correct room without ever noticing the sign. Projecting signs solve this by presenting information along the line of travel, catching attention from 10 metres or more away. A projecting sign is the only format that does this, because a flat door sign presents its face to the wall the reader is walking along rather than to the reader.
Situations where projecting signs outperform standard door signs:
- Long corridors where doors are not visible until you are directly alongside them
- T-junctions where residents need to decide which direction to turn
- Recessed doorways that hide standard flat signs from corridor view
- Busy corridors where multiple doors compete for attention
- Areas where lighting creates glare on flat-mounted signs
- Buildings with identical-looking doors on both sides of a hallway
Mounting Position and Height#
DSDC best-practice guidance recommends mounting projecting signs at a centre height of approximately 1.4 to 1.5 metres -- roughly eye level for most seated wheelchair users and still comfortable for ambulant residents. The sign should protrude far enough from the wall to be seen clearly, typically 100-150mm, while remaining flush against the wall bracket to avoid a snag hazard. Our projecting signs are manufactured from 5mm solid white acrylic with textured 3D print, providing tactile as well as visual information.
Pro Tip
Install projecting signs on the lock side of the door (the side with the handle) so that the sign and the door handle are on the same side when viewed from the corridor. This reinforces the association between the sign and the room entrance.
The sign this guide is about
Oak projecting sign — Toilet
Fixed at right angles to the wall, so it can be read from along the corridor as well as from in front of it.
228 x 228 mmToilet door sign: listed 1A, DSDC directory (2018)Made to order by Wayfinders
Already know what each sign should say? Send us the list on the order form.
Corridor Configurations That Benefit Most#
Not every doorway needs a projecting sign. Focus on locations where a flat door sign would be missed: end-of-corridor toilets, rooms at T-junctions, and communal spaces such as dining rooms or lounges that residents need to find from a distance. For bedrooms, a combination of a personalised door sign and a projecting room-number sign can provide both identity and navigation cues.
Combining projecting and door signs at key locations is a common approach in dementia-friendly care environments. The projecting sign draws attention from afar; the door sign confirms the room identity at close range.
Recommended Products
Our projecting signs are printed on 5mm solid white acrylic with textured 3D imagery and optional Braille and tactile elements. Available in a range of high-contrast colour schemes to suit any corridor decor.
Projecting signs are a low-cost, high-impact intervention that can be installed in minutes with standard fixings. They are also the cheapest way to make a junction legible without redecorating it.
Signs for what this guide covers
Projecting signs
Signs that stand out from the wall, so a toilet or lounge door can be read from along the corridor rather than only face on.
See the projecting signsFree, before you order
Related Articles
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.
ReadHow to Sign Corridors & Hallways
A guide to corridor and hallway signage: where directional signs go, what they say, and how to keep a route readable along its whole length.
ReadThe Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Sign Type
Door signs, projecting signs, door decals, directional signs, and personalised signs each serve a distinct purpose. This comprehensive guide explains all five types, provides a decision matrix, and helps you plan a complete signage strategy for your care home.
Read