How to choose the right house sign!

How to Choose the Right Slate House Sign (FAQ + Buying Guide)

Your house sign is often the first thing visitors and delivery drivers notice — it sets the tone for your home’s personality. Whether you prefer something timeless, modern, or rustic, choosing the right slate house sign involves a few key decisions: size, shape, colour, and placement.

Below, we’ll walk you through how to pick the perfect one for your home — plus answer the most common questions we get at Keener Gifts.

 

1. Where Should I Put My House Sign?

Before choosing a size or shape, it helps to decide where your sign will go. The best placement depends on your home’s layout and how visible you want the sign to be.

Common placement ideas:

• Beside your front door – ideal for small or medium slate signs. Great if your home is close to the road or walkway. Ideally under a light for night viewing.
• On a gate or fence – perfect for cottages, country homes, or properties with long driveways.
• On a pillar or stone post – adds a high-end, elegant touch to driveways and garden entrances.
  Holes can be drilled for hanging signs. Double-sided signs is an option too.
• On the house exterior (siding, brick, or stone) – ie. Over the garage. creates a clean, polished look.

Tip: Step back to the edge of your property or road. Can you clearly read the house number or name from there? If not, you may need a larger size or bolder text.

2. How to Choose the Right Size

The right size depends on how much text you want and how far your home is from the street.
Measure the space you want to install your sign, to ensure it will fit. Consider how your size choice, with design options, will impact the visibility at distance.

Distance from the road	Recommended size	Example use
Up to 10 metres (33 ft)	Small (e.g. 20x10 cm / 8x4")	Front door or gate
10–25 metres (33–82 ft)	Medium (e.g. 30x15 cm / 12x6")	On the house front
25+ metres (82+ ft)	Large (e.g. 40x20 cm / 16x8" or more)**	Driveway post or fence

Quick rule of thumb:
For every 10 feet of viewing distance, use about 1 inch of letter height for clear readability.

If your sign will include filgris design,  a street name or surname and a number, size up — it helps prevent the layout from feeling cramped and makes the text more legible.
See the example below for how design options may impact the size of the house numbers.

3. What Shape Should I Choose?

Slate signs come in several shapes, and the choice usually comes down to personal taste and where the sign will go.

Popular shapes:

• Rectangle: Classic and versatile — fits most homes and layouts.
• Oval: Softer, elegant shape; works beautifully for names or cottages. Versatile, with many design options. Horizontal or vertical.
• Breadloaf: Is a unique shape for a welcoming look. Ideal for filgris on top, and street name on bottom.
• Square/Circle: Modern, balanced style; perfect for just house numbers. Great for fitting “certain spots.”

Pro tip: Match the shape to the style of your home. A modern house often suits clean rectangular lines, while a traditional or rustic home looks great with an breadloaf or oval.

4. What Colour Paint Should I choose?

All of our natural, Canadian Slate, house signs have unique tones and textures, but you can choose between:

• White Paint – bold contrast with on the black slate; modern and easy to read.
• Silver Paint – softer, more organic look; pairs nicely with natural or wood exteriors. Can take the edge off the White Paint option. Great for other slate plaques: https://keenergifts.com/collections/slate-memorials/Plaques+Memorials+Awards
• Dark Gold – Is great for trying to make the slate sign with with the colours of your house. Less contrast, which might reduce visibility at distance.

5. What Font and Layout Should I Use?

Your text should be clear and readable from a distance.
At Keener Gifts, we offer multiple font styles — from elegant scripts to bold serif options.

Tips:

• Use a BOLD font for house numbers for better legibility. Thin letters may look nice up close, but may be hard to read at distance.
• For names, capitalize the first letter for a natural look.
• Keep spacing generous — it’s easier to read and looks more balanced.
• IF the size of the actual numbers is a concern, than consider having a minimalist design. Everything extra you add, over and above the numbers, takes away physical space from the number size.
  See example below.

6. How Are Slate Signs Installed?

Most of our slate signs come with pre-drilled holes and stainless steel fixings for easy mounting.
Every sign comes with: two stainless-steel screws, two Screw Washers, and two screw caps.
You can install them on:

• Siding - most common
• Brick (with anchors, not provided)
• Wooden posts or fences
• Gate pillars or stone walls
• Hanging sign posts – Request holes to be drilled at the top of the sign when ordering. If you know the exact distance of the hanging mounts, please provide that information. A proof can be made to show where the holes would go. Double-sided signs is an option, at an extra charge.

We recommend positioning your sign about eye level (around 5 ft / 1.5 m high) for best visibility.

7. How Do I Care for a Slate House Sign?

Slate is naturally weather-resistant, but a little care keeps it looking its best:

• Wipe with a damp cloth occasionally to remove dirt or moss.
• Avoid harsh chemicals; warm soapy water works fine.
• Your sign comes with stone sealer applied, to help deepen the color of the stone. Overtime, your sign may look a little more dull, as the stone sealer wears off. You can use stone sealer from your local hardware store, and apply it with a cloth to bring back the original depth of color.

Your slate sign can last a lifetime, even in harsh Canadian weather.

8. Still Not Sure What to Choose?

If you’re still unsure about size, shape, or placement, just send us a quick message!
We’re happy to help you find the perfect match based on your home photos or measurements.
We can send a proof for you to approve, to ensure you know what your sign will look like.

👉 Email us at info@keenergifts.com — or start browsing our Slate House Signs Collection for inspiration.

 

✅ Quick Recap: Choosing the Perfect Slate Sign

1. Pick your location (door, wall, fence, or post)
2. Measure your space and consider distance from the road
3. Choose your shape and colour to match your home
4. Select a font that’s readable and suits your style
5. Enjoy your personalized slate sign for years to come!

 

 

SIZING EXAMPLE:
The following example is using a 14”W x 10”H Oval.
Please consider the size of the numbers in this example:

1.)    A sign with no other design options has the space to allow for 5” High numbers.

2.)    A sign with a border as the only added design feature, has the space to allow for 4.2” High numbers.

3.)    A sign with a border, and both upper and lower sections being used, restricts the amount of space for the numbers, and in this example, the numbers are 3” High.

 

PLEASE NOTE: If you are considering a 10” x 6” slate sign…with full design options, the numbers would only be 2” High. 10x6 signs are great if you don’t have a lot of space, but please consider minimal design options to increase the number size.