Wooden House Signs

Wooden house signs are often used as door name plates with great effect to lend a relaxed, natural feel to a home or property. Good wooden house signs can be constructed of practically any wood, displaying any combination of street numbers, property names, owner's names, or personalized designs and carvings.

Which Wood?

Being made from such a versatile and varied material, wooden house signs can be any shape, size or color. Region-specific timbers add a touch of local flavor, while high-end imported timbers can add the interest and flare of the exotic. Also owing to the abundance of quality timber, wooden house signs are an affordable option for personalizing a home. The final say in choosing the timber for your own sign is personal taste, especially considering the environment that it will occupy and the background it will be mounted against.

Custom Wooden Sign Finishing & Treatment

Even more varied than the range of timbers available for wooden house signs is the range of potential finishes. Everything from light, dark or colored stains; a staggering array of paints, covering a huge range of textures and shades; a variety of colored or clean polishes for glossy or matte effects; and treatments suitable for leaving the wood with a natural finish. Be well aware that some finishes one some wooden house signs are not suited to outdoor use that includes exposure to direct sunlight or regular rain, so be sure that your manufacturer is aware of your requirements. Wood that is not appropriately treated can also warp from changes in temperature and humidity, especially thinner cuts.

Crafting Methods

High quality wooden house signs are traditionally hand carved, which is incredibly flexible and allows for an incredible level of detail and complexity in designs. However hand carved engraved wooden signs come at a premium compared to partially or fully machine-carved wooden house signs.

Competing Products

Instead of wood, some people door metal for stainless steel house numbers or brass name plates. The choice is dictated by the exterior style of the house. Sometimes wood is substituted with slate or stone which confers a similar, warm, natural feel.

DIY

The enthusiastic amateur craftsman can build his or her own wooden house signs with a minimum of trouble for a low price and a great sense of character. Most local hardware stores provide woodworking tools; a range of timbers, paints and finishes; and are often staffed by handymen with woodworking or carpentry experience. Don't hesitate to ask.

Local Or Online – Where To Begin

Choosing whether to shop for wooden house signs locally or online is another matter of personal choice. Community-minded individuals may choose to support local signage companies or buy from local timbers, but those searching for a particular look or feel may be better searching the large range of online options available in both custom and template work.