York Stone
for house signs

Is York Stone the best stone for house signs?

Over the years I have been engraving house signs I must have been asked a thousand times “which is the best type of stone?” On many of these occasions I would have quite sincerely replied “York Stone”. However if I am honest my reply would have been framed by the latest piece of work I had done that I was most proud of. On a different day I might just as sincerely said “Sandstone” or “Welsh slate”

So here is the truth…. a well chosen York Stone is a truly wonderful stone for house signs and indeed almost any other use. Tough and weather resistant, and quarried in natural colours that range from pale gold to dark buff to blue! The stone can vary in the coarseness of the grain and care must be taken to choose the best type if you are wanting fine detail on your engraving.
The best house sign makers will have a lot of experience in choosing the right stone, have a chat with him or her and ask their advice about the stone they use. 

Styles of stone engraving.

Classic style natural, (unpainted).

  • Winsome moor house sign. Square shape lay-out over three lines. "Times Roman Bold" font. Lettering deep engraved and left unpainted.
    Square shape house sign
  • Classic York stone house sign. House name "Moor Ponds" in Times Roman bold font. fixed on hidden pins.
    York stone house sign
  • House name in ALLCAPS
  • Large 60 x 30 cm classic York stone house sign. House name and street name in Times Roman bold title-case font. fixed on hidden pins.
    Street name included
  • York stone house sign. House name, "Gamekeepers Cottage" in Times Roman bold uppercase font. fixed on hidden pins.
    House sign fixed with four drill holes
  • York stone house sign. House name and street name in Times Roman bold uppercase font. fixed on hidden pins.
    House name and street included

The above are all in the classic style, deep engraved for a very long life and high visibility.

Classic style painted.

  • 41 Swanland Hill. Lettering engraved and black painted. The font is "Arial standard".
    House name and number sign
  • Willow Tree House. York stone classic style house sign. Font "Times Roman Bold". Black painted lettering.
    Large stone house sign
  • Balgowan York stone house sign. The font is "Times Roman Bold" the lettering highlighted with gold paint.
    Gold painted York stone

York stone house signs can be painted to highlight the lettering, this is often referred to as “Filled or colour filled”. I have often been asked if paint filled signs are more visible, I have to admit that they are, but the advantage is only marginal and I really love the simple look of the deep engraved unpainted type.

Classic house signs with a carved motif.

  • Street Farm. York stone house sign with Barley motif. The font is "Dolphin".
    Classic house sign with Barley motif
  • Kisdon House York stone sign
    Pheasant motif house sign
  • The Shires Barn. York stone house sign with Ploughman and horse motif. The font is "Times Roman Bold".
    Horse and plough house sign

Carved in-relief.

  • Custom designed, York stone carved in-relief. Treetops in Bernhard font. Oak trees and oak leaf border.
    Carved in-relief oak tree house sign
  • Carved in-relief house sign. York stone with scallop panel. "Millhayes" in Baskerfield" Font. fixed on hidden pins.
    House name in scallop border.

These house name signs are carved in-relief. This style of engraving will remain legible for a hundred years or more! There is however a practical limit as to how small we can engrave in-relief. You may have to opt for s larger size of stone or less lettering. Your stone engraver can guide you on this.

Border styles.

  • Redwood Park, Yorkstone with chamfered edge
    Redwood Park, Yorkstone with chamfered edge

Consider adding a border for more effect, a simple engraved line border may add a touch of understated class to your stone house sign. You can see here a chamfered edge, a Rock border and a line border. Ask your stone engraver if he can offer these or other border designs.

Adding artwork.

Add a carved image to make your house sign really personal, the type of images you will be offered will depend on the engravers catalogue and the space available on your stone.

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