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Headstone Material in Virginia: Settle for the best that can last for years
Are you checking out the best monument for a deceased loved one? Do you already started the process and finalized the design and the materials to be used? Do you know which is the best headstone material that can last for decades? Well, if you don’t know where to start, let this article guide you in your headstone journey.
What are Headstones?
Are you familiar with a graveyard? If yes, did you notice those beautiful stones placed on every gravesite where you can find the name of the person who lies on it? Well, those stone works are called headstones or gravestones. To successfully understand the nature of gravestones, you need first to settle the right headstone material in Virginia for your future gravestone.
Headstones are also forms of art primarily made from durable stone. For how many years, installing headstones became a culture around the world as it represents the person who died. There are various ways in memorializing a loved one, it depends on the country or religion. Aside from important details, headstones have various inscriptions, religious texts, and symbols as well.
What are the factors in conceptualizing a headstone?
In planning a headstone, you need to consider various factors such as;
The Quality
As for your house and land, a headstone is also considered an investment and it should be the best. You have to settle for an effective plan when it comes to its materials and craftsmanship. In addition to the headstone material, you also need to check also the quality of the materials and the design to be encrypted. To check the best quality headstones, you can start by checking samples, portfolios, and reliable recommendations on where to find the best headstones in your state.
The Design
Like other typical headstones, it bears the basic information of the deceased person such as name, birthday, and the day when he or she died. Also, there are some memorials that have different photos, quotes, bible verses, emblems, and some significant symbols.
Before proceeding with the design, it is best to check first with the cemetery the general specifications and types possible for your gravesite. Once you know the right specifications, you can proceed with the design which includes the color of the text, the color of the headstone, the text, symbols, photos, or whatever the surviving family wishes to include. You can ask for assistance with what headstone material in Virginia suits your perspective.
The Budget
It is an important factor that you need to settle first. In choosing a headstone, you have to set your budget to short down the choices and focus on your allocation. With this matter, it is best to have an appointment with a monument maker and let them present the best headstone material in Virginia according to your budget.
The Materials to be Used
Next to the budget, the materials to be used for your loved one’s headstone are significantly important. As you can notice, most headstones are made up of fieldstone, marble, and the famous granite. There are some monument makers that utilize materials such as sandstone, bronze, wood, and other similar things. As you continue reading this article you will find out which headstone material in Virginia is the best for your gravestone.
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What is the finest headstone material in Virginia?
According to the best monument makers, here are the best materials to be used for headstones;
Granite
Since 1860, this standard stone has been widely used by most monument makers. It is a headstone material known for its durability and beauty as a natural stone. As a famous yet durable stone, granite comes in different colors. With this material, the maker can exceptionally carve any detailed designs perfectly to your loved one’s headstone.
Over the years, granite became one of the best choices as it can highly resist acid rain, heat, and low temperatures. However, the downside of this material is that it is not easy to clean due to its white film.
Slate
This headstone material is popular for its smooth yet appealing texture. It has become one of the most popular options in recent years due to its simplicity of carving and the common use of gilding or white paint. The drawback of this material is that it is brittle and can crumble over time.
Zinc
Like other materials, zinc is also a good choice of material when it comes to durability and the panels are easy to replace as well. If you are fond of panel designs, you can choose this material. The downside of this material is that it is very susceptible to the fallen tree limbs and their brittleness.
Iron
If you are looking for a durable headstone material, you can also count on iron. The usage of iron starts last 1830, and the disadvantage of using iron is it is easy to decay and rust which in the future can affect the inscriptions of your headstone.
Sandstone
It is a headstone material famous for being flexible when it comes to cutting and carving. The downside of this material is that it is less durable. It is also hard to polish and most of the time the bedding planes are breaking.
Like granite, it also comes in different colors. Moisture is the greatest drawback as it can lessen the beauty of your headstone.
Bronze
It is a material that is known to be a copper alloy mostly utilized for tools and weapons. It can effectively execute that can give more design to the headstone. Like granite, it is also known for being durable in various harsh weather conditions. To keep the resistance of this material requires certain grease elbow and chemical treatments.
Like granite, this headstone material is commonly used by monument makers over the decades. The advantage of bronze is that it doesn’t require essential maintenance compared to other classifications. It can be also used for various designs and inscriptions. If you are on a budget, this material is suitable for you.
Marble
This form of material is often used in more complex designs. It can be used to create more intricate and detailed designs. It was first used in the 1850s and continued until the 1920s. It’s also known for its low cost and easy polishing capabilities.
However, after it has been subjected to acid rain for a number of years, the inscriptions will begin to fade and become unreadable. The features of the headstone are most likely to erode due to moisture. Overall, this stone is unable to remain for an extended period of time.
Fieldstones
It is an old material used during the early eras. During the old times, makers utilize a metal awl in decorating headstones. Usually, headstones made from fieldstones show details such as the name of the deceased person, age, and any significant symbol.
Wood
This material is significantly used by many monument makers during the Georgian and Victorian eras. Most artists at that time prefer having wood as they can easily carve difficult designs. When more durable materials came, and were famous for their natural decomposition, this material loosened up its glory as it couldn’t survive for at least 50 years.
Concrete
It is a material mainly composed of sand, granite, gravel, limestone, and various materials. In addition to headstones, it is also made for buildings. If you are on a budget, you can depend on this material.
When choosing a material, you need also to consider the finish and if it is acceptable to your cemetery or gravesite.
The polished headstones have a reflective surface due to their smooth, glossy, and polished appearance. Since many churchyards do not need reflective surfaces, this finish will not be used when a churchyard is used for burial. The finish also necessitates further upkeep to keep the shine.
The inscription region of the headstone is partially polished, while the rest of the headstone is blasted, rubbed, or given a different finish. It is emphasized by the inscriptions.
What headstone material in Virginia should I choose?
You must know which material to use when planning the headstone. It is most likely to choose a material that will last for at least five years, but it can last for several generations. If you’re looking for a long-lasting material, marble or granite might be the best choice.
Depending on your budget, you can choose between these two materials. Marble tends to be more costly than granite.
In addition to the headstone material, you also need to think about the designs and curves you wish to see on your loved one’s headstone. Before anything else, it will be efficient to consult first with your cemetery rules and regulations to come with a more accurate headstone.
As for the material and other concerns with your headstone needs, let our team know your preferences and we are here to help you choose the right headstone material for your loved one.
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