LIMESTONE FOR HOUSE SIGNS
Limestone is a sedimentary stone, layed down as sea bed silt millions of years ago. The calcite from the fossil shells and bodies of creatures that lived in the silt has leached into the surrounding silt. Time and geological pressure has combined to create limestone. Limestone house signs are not common. English limestones are made by specialists working in Portland stone or Purbeck. One of the characteristics of limestone is the fossilised shell inherent in the stone. This can be a problem for the house sign maker. He must educate and inform his potential clients. It is important that the customer understands the nature of the material before ordering.
There are however alternatives to English limestone, Many imported limestones are relatively free from visible fossils and make excellent house signs. Limestones sold for house signs are generally very light in colour, almost white. This and the porous nature of the stone can make these house signs prone to staining. This is however not a serious problem. I would advise sealing imported limestone house signs to prevent staining and to stave off the long term effects of water erosion.
You may be considering ordering a limestone house sign because you live in a limestone region, or perhaps to to match existing stonework, or simply because you love the light creamy colour. Maybe even, you appreciate the fossil nature of the stone.
Limestones can be fine or coarse grained, the fine grained varieties will engrave well. Limestone is a superb stone for engraving and most types make excellent and beautiful house signs and plaques.
12x6 inch HOUSE SIGNS IN LIMESTONE.
This Indian Limestone 12x6 inch house sign is engraved deeply. The letters show up well in spite of not being painted. This house sign has a no border or motif and looks very clean and functional.
It is the simplicity of the design that makes this such an attractive house sign, the character of the natural stone gives it's quality. To see a larger image of this house sign please click here:
Larger Image
14x10 inch HOUSE SIGNS IN LIMESTONE.
Similar to above this house sign features a house name on two lines.
To see a larger image of this house sign please click here:
Larger Image
14x10 inch HOUSE SIGNS IN LIMESTONE.
This limestone house sign features a scroll motif and has the engraving painted black.
To see a larger image of this house sign please click here:
Larger Image
Natural limestone has subtle variations in color and shade that no artificial material can match, natural stones age and weather gracefully in a way that no reconstituted alternative can do. If you are in the process of trying to choose between a natural stone or a cheaper alternative for your house sign, please read some of the articles on this website I hope they will persuade you of the virtues of buying the natural material.
LEAF BORDER HOUSE SIGNS IN LIMESTONE.
This limestone house sign features a leaf border design and has been left natural, not painted.
To see a larger image of this house sign please click here:
Larger Image