This Custom Wood Sign Will Have You Wanting to Climb Every Mountain

When it comes to sandblasted cedar signs we have created a many custom wood signs with a variety of images. There have been beach scenes, cottage and lake views, wild birds, family pets and farms just to name a few, but this request for mountains was truly special. We were contacted through our facebook page about creating a mountain and water scene with an address number and a family name. In addition, the mountains were to be snow capped as that is how the back drop of their vacation home looks in spring. We wanted to climb every mountain to make this happen.

Our expert sign designers created a sign design to match the required expectations and our sign-makers went to work on crafting the western red cedar sign for them.

Sandblasted Western Red Cedar Signs

For those not familiar with western red cedar, it is also known as thuja plicata, a rot-resistant wood. This makes it the best choice for our custom wood signs.

All of our cedar signs are created to handle all kinds of weather. Knowing it would be going to an area that has snow covered mountains had everyone here thrilled to know that one of our signs would be going to such a different climate. The process began with a cedar blank that was cnc router cut to the requested shape. Then it a sandblast stencil overlay was applied prior to sandblasting. After the sign was prepped it was ready for the sandblasting. The process of sandblasting wood involves sandblast grit carving the wood through the use of a pressure hose. After the sign is carved to the preferred depth, the sign was sanded to create a smooth surface for finishing. The exterior grade paint finish was then applied to sign to complete the project.

Rocky Mountain High

After the sign was shipped, the customer installed it at their vacation property and sent us this image.

You can see the snow covered mountain range in the background which are highlighted on the sign. We were over the moon, or should we say mountain, when we received this picture. You might say we were on a Rocky Mountain High!

If you need a custom wood sign made, please visit our CONTACT US page.

Creative Custom Wood Cottage Signs

“How much does a custom cottage sign cost”? That is a question we regularly get asked.  As you can see by all the factors below that price has a lot to do with your taste and style.

Ordering A Cottage Sign

Are you wondering how to order a custom wood cottage sign? We often receive inquiries about how to go about ordering a sign for a cottage.

We always say start with the size, text, colours, graphics and whether your cottage sign will be single or double sided. You will also need to know if your custom sign requires any hanging brackets or posts and if it requires onsite installation or just shipping. This gives the estimator a good idea of the work that would be involved in creating your wood sign.

Do you want to know the cost of a cottage sign? The price varies on the items listed above.  It is a good idea to know your budget for the cottage sign.  Start with base price listed below and figure out how many custom options you will want included on your sign.

 

Cottage Sign Examples

Below are just a few examples of cottage signs made by The Sign Depot.

Customization options are virtually endless when it comes to cottage signs., and as you can see creative custom wood cottage signs are our speciality! For more examples of the custom sign work created here at The Sign Depot be sure to visit our portfolio.  After you find something that suits your cottage and its surroundings, head to the CONTACT US page and request your free quote.  Make sure to include the details from the items listed above and we will have one of our sign designers contact you with the approximate cost of the sign.  After approval you are on your way to receiving a creative custom designed wood cottage sign.

Custom Cottage Signs And Address Markers

Cottage Signs That Stand Out From The Rest

Big or small, custom crafted cottage signs can prove to be great address markers.  When your guests are looking to find your cottage or cabin, there are some important details to think about to ensure your sign is getting the job done. When the expert signmakers here at The Sign Depot created The SCHWANS sign in the image above, the following three items were considered.

Font Size

A large font is always a good choice.  If the font is too small it will be difficult to read from a distance.  When it comes to address markers for your cottage/cabin it is better to be seen and not passed by.

Colour Choice

When finishing a cottage sign, choosing colours that create contrast assist with increasing visibility.  In this case, the bright letters stand out much better against the dark background.  This is also important for wayfinding purposes.

Creating Dimesion

This wood sign was sandblasted. This means the wood was carved into to create the background leaving the letters raised and creating dimension in the sign, once again increasing visibility of your sign.

If the above three items are considered when designing a cottage sign and/or address marker, you are certain to find the results you are looking for. Plus you can rest easy knowing that your visitors will be able to find you.

There are lots of other ways to customize a cottage sign to your personal taste.  When you choose to have a custom sign shop create your cottage sign possiblities are endless.  Read more about it on our post about the Advantages Of Working With A Custom Sign Shop.

Heading to a cottage or cabin in the near future? Be sure to check out our list of the Best Campfire Recipes To Try Out At Your Cottage Or Cabin.

How To Spring Clean Your Exterior Custom Signs

Curb Appeal

If you had a custom sign made, you want it to always look its best.  Spring is a good time to walk across the street from your sign and see if it adds to the curb appeal.  If there are some tweaks to be made be sure to give us a call.

What To Check When Evaluating Your Custom Sign

1. Damage – Whether it be ice damage, wind damage, sun damage (fading) or vandalism, if your sign has been damaged in any way it is best to get it fixed before further damage occurs.
2. Repair – If your lit sign has burnt out bulbs or malfunctioning LEDs then it is not serving it purpose to its full capacity. If you wood sign is showing checks (splits in the wood) then it requires immediate repair.
3. Surroundings – Has the area where your sign has been place changed at all, example new buildings added or a new landscaping design.  This could hinder your sign’s ability to stand out from its surroundings.  This may be a good time to think about rebranding if you decide a new sign is in order.

How To Keep Your Custom Sign In Great Condition

By following these simple steps you can extend the life of your sign.

If you have a plastic/acrylic blade sign

Give it a once over with some window cleaner or mild soap and water to remove any debris.  If it is lit have an electrician remove the sign from its casing first.

If you have a dimensional HDU foam sign

A light blasting from an air hose should blow off any dust buildup.

If you have a wood sign

• Twice a year wash and wax your sign. Use a mild dish soap and soft brissle brush (paint brush) to gently loosen surface dirt – follow with a though rinse with clean water. A light coat and buff with typical spray on car wax will help repell water and keep your sign looking good.
• Remove any weeds or vines that are crawling up your cedar sign posts.  They may look interesting, but they can do quiet a bit of damage to the finish
• After about 7 years (depending on sun exposure) bring it into The Sign Depot workshop for refurbishing. It will leave looking brand new.

We also suggest refraining from using a power washer to clean any of your custom signs.  The pressure could end up removing any paint or vinyl that is applied the to sign and could damage the sign material.

Signs That Cottage Season Is Over For Another Year

Signing Off On Cottage Season

Being a company that makes custom cottage signs, we thought this news may come easier from us. We wanted to let you know that cottage season is once again coming to close.  While you may not want to believe it, we have proof.

 Signs That Cottage Season Is Over For Another Year

Normally the signs that cottage season is ending and fall is beginning include leaves turning red

and geese flying south for the winter.

This is not the case this year. In case you missed it, The Weather Network posted this image on their facebook page yesterday (Sept 10 2014) of the conditions happening in Calgary.

We think this is one of the biggest warning signs we have that it is time to prepare the cottage for the winter. Last year we provided you 5 Websites To Help You Close Your Cottage For The Winter and with the unpredictable weather we thought it would be best to give you some more places to look for information on winterizing your cottage.

More Websites To Help You Close Your Cottage For The Winter

1. Cottage Closing Electrical Safety Tips
2. Cottage Closing Checklist From Hydro One
3. Seasons from The Practical Cottager
4. Winterizing Your Cottage from Trusted Pros
5. Winterizing Your Summer Cabin Or Vacation Home

The tips above are give you a good idea about the workload ahead of you when prep your family cottage for the winter season. Our tip is to protect your exterior custom cottage sign from winter damage by following these steps

• Wash it with soap and water.  A mild liquid dish detergent will do the trick
• Let it dry
• Give it a polish with a spray car wax (ie Turtle Wax)

This will add luster to the wood sign and serve as a protectant against the winter elements.

So while we have you thinking of winter, we just want to remind you that Personalized Cottage Signs make great Christmas Gifts and it’s never too early to CONTACT US and get your order in!

Cheers To A Custom Wood Projecting Sign

Innocente Brewing Company Makes Their Mark

Now that Innocente Brewing Company has announced their location opening in Waterloo Ontario they decided to mark their territory.  They chose to brand their building with a custom wood projecting sign.  The idea behind a projecting sign/projection sign is that the double sided sign stands off the building to where it is affixed.  The reason is to catch the attention of passers-by. This type of eye-catching sign is often used in the beer and liquor industry, so it was a good fit for a new brewery.

Creating The Custom Wood Sign

The Innocente Brewing Company sign was crafted from western red cedar.  Known for it’s rot-resistant properties, cedar is the best choice for outdoor wood signs. The first step was to sandblast the company name and logo into the wood to give it dimension.

After the sandblasting step had carved the image and text into the custom sign, it was treated with an outdoor grade cetol finish to enhance the wood grain of the sign. Next it was primed to ready for the gold leaf and paint finish.

23K Gold Leaf was applied to give the sign luster and shine.  The gold leaf finish is suitable for interior signs as well, but it really stands out when it glistens in the sun.

 A custom paint finish complete with premium vinyl graphics were applied to the cedar sign to complete the sign making process.

Look what @TheSignDepot dropped off earlier today…what great work! Thanks Peter! pic.twitter.com/Xy5wJBClge

— Steve Innocente (@Innocente_Brew) February 14, 2014

 

Landing On The Mark

 

Once the weather co-operated our install crew headed to Innocente Brewing Company to attach the projecting sign to their establishment. We think it serves as a great landmark for this new brewing business

 

Look what the fine folks @TheSignDepot installed today…looks da schnizzle! pic.twitter.com/yYDaQ8f1nW

— Steve Innocente (@Innocente_Brew) March 28, 2014

Top Ten Things To Pack For The Long Weekend Road Trip

Bring on the Summer

With the warm weather days upon us, long weekends are full of fireworks, fishing, and fun which usually means road trips.  The best way to ensure a fun and relaxing time is by being prepared for the excursion.  Most travelers already carry a vehicle emergency kit with First Aid items, booster cables, a can of quick tire inflater etc.  To ensure that road trip is enjoyable for everyone,  here is a list of some items to be sure to pack for that long weekend road trip!

Ready for the Road

1. Bottles of water
2. Granola bars or something that can tide you over until your next stop
3. Baby wipes – great for those in car spills
4. Change of clothing – see above
5. Extra batteries or car chargers for music players/cell phones/laptops etc
6. Travel pillows & blankets (the comfy kind, not those crinkly emergency blankets)
7. Portable entertainment IE DVDs, deck of cards, magnetic travel games, hand held video games
8. Sunscreen (daytime travel)
9. Booklight (nightime travel)
10. Large Ziploc bags – great for garbage

In addition it is also a good idea to have a bit of cash (in case your next stop doesn’t take credit or debit), also make sure to bring a map in case your GPS signal is lost.  You want to make sure to find that “hideaway” without having to worry about where it is hiding!  If you’re are inviting guests to your cottage, make sure they can identify your getaway from the everyday by adding a custom sandblasted cedar cottage sign to identify your neck of the woods.

Enjoy the Long Weekend and remember to kick back and relax once the travelling part is done.   It won’t be long before you are on the road again, so be sure to stream our ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST Have any road trip tips you want to pass along? Make sure to add them to the comments, send us tweet or find us on facebook.