BLACK SLATE FOR HOUSE SIGNS
True blck slate is very rare, most so-caled black slates are in fact dark grey. The colour however can be enhanced by the use of sealers.
The quality of various types of black slate can vary enormously from country to country and from quarry to quarry. Italian and Portuguese black slate is a superb material for many interior uses but they are completely unsuitable for exterior use as they bleach white in the sun.
Brazilian and Chinese black slate is often very black or very dark grey in colour and is more resistant to fading however the colour and viening of the slate can vary from batch to batch. One problem is that most types of slate are exported through agents, it can be difficult to pinpoint the source quarry or region. This means you have to rely on the experiance of the signmaker when choosing a black slate house sign. I have found some black slates from both China and Brazil to be excellent house sign materials.
House signs are essentially decorative items, yet they are subjected to rigors of weather and pollution and it's not surprising that some types of natural stone struggle a bit! Although colour fade and bleaching can present a potential problem, this risk can be eliminated by use of the correct sealers. Your signmaker should be able to advse you if this is necessary with the black slate he or she supplies for house signs.
BLACK SLATE HOUSE SIGNS, ENGRAVED "in relief".
This black slate house name sign is engraved "in relief" with a raised border and the background cut back deeply
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BLACK SLATE HOUSE SIGNS, ENGRAVED "inscised".
These house signs are engraved using the "inscised" or "cut and painted" type of lettering. This method usually requires painting the letters for ......
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BLACK SLATE HOUSE SIGNS, WITH BORDER DESIGNS.
Black slate is usually such a consistant material it is possible to engrave almost any type of design into your house sign, here are some examples of celtic and leaf borders and fonts.......
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BLACK SLATE HOUSE SIGNS, ENGRAVED WITH IMAGES
Slate is an excellent medium for engraving, a motif image or engraved design will enhance any house signs, think about.......
Images and design for slate house signs »
All Natural black slates have subtle variations in shade that no artificial material can match, natural slates will age and weather gracefully in a way that no artificial alternative will do. If you are in the process of trying to choose between a natural slate or an artificial alternative please read some of the articles on this website I hope they will persuade you of the virtues of buying the natural material.