ABOUT SLATE HOUSE SIGNS
What is Slate? Slate is a stone formed from the very fine sentiment of primordial swamps laid down over millions of years.
It is this history that defines the very nature of Slate. Fine layers of silt laid down over millions of years compress and harden and to form a stone that can be very hard and tough, resistant to water penetration and unusually for a stone, has a very high tensile strength.
The high tensile strength of slate is due to the layered or laminated nature of the stone, this can best be seen by the application of Slate as roofing tiles. Slates can be split very thin to form a strong light weight roofing covering that has been used for thousands of years and indeed is still widely used to day. Natural slates are generally tough hard wearing,and resistant to the effects of weathering.
These attributes make slate an ideal choice of natural material for use as house signs and house numbers. However care must be taken in the choice of slate as some slates may lose their colour in direct sunlight. Perhaps the two most reliable types of slate in the world in this regard are British slates - Wesh slate and Cumberland green slate.
The most common colors for Slate are black, gray and green. Welsh slates are considered to be among the finest quality slates available in the world. Available in tiles and cut to size slabs, welsh slate is highly suitable for both internal and external use. A wide variety of slates are now being imported from China, Brazil and other more exotic parts of the world. However one must take great care in ascertaining the suitability of the slate for the application to which it will be applied. Most types of slate are exellent for engraving and make fine house signs and plaques.
Welsh slates are among the the finest types of slate in the world and are ideal for engaving and make excellent and attractive house signs.......
About Welsh slate house signs »
Probably the best Green slate in the world is Cumberland green from England, but green slate from around the world can make excellent house signs and number plates.
About Green slate house signs »
Black slate from Brazil or China can be problematical for exterior use but if carefully chosen can make excellent and beautiful house signs.......
About Black slate house signs »
IMAGES AND DESIGN ON SLATE HOUSE SIGNS.
Slate is an excellent medium for engraving. Choosing a suitable motif image or engraved design will enhance any house signs.......
Images and design for slate house signs »
Natural slates have subtle variations in color and 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 slight or a cheaper alternative please read some of the articles on this website I hope they will persuade you of the virtues of buying the natural material.