House Number Signs Made From Real Stone

Understanding Address Stones and Stone Address Signs

What is an address stone?
An address stone is a permanent ground level marker made from real natural stone that displays your home’s street number. Unlike temporary address signs for houses that fade and need replacement every few years, or vinyl numbers that peel away after a season or two, an address stone becomes part of your property’s identity, a lasting marker that grounds your home in place.

These are not decorative accessories. They are functional monuments designed to mark your home for decades, through every season, every storm, every chapter of your family’s story. When you pull into your driveway twenty years from now, that same stone will still be there, weathered naturally but still clearly marking the place you call home.

Address stones are sometimes called stone house number signs, stone address markers, address marker stones, or personalized garden stones for house numbers, depending on regional preferences and how people search. They all refer to the same essential thing, a permanent stone marker displaying your street number, designed to outlast temporary alternatives and become part of your home’s lasting identity rather than something that needs replacing every few years.

Why are address stones replacing traditional house numbers and other address signs for houses?
Traditional house numbers and standard address signs for houses are temporary solutions to a permanent need. Paint fades under UV exposure. Vinyl peels away after temperature cycling. Metal corrodes and rusts, especially in coastal areas with salt air or northern climates where road salt accelerates deterioration. Wood rots from moisture. Mounted signs fall off during storms or loosen over time as fasteners work free.

You replace them. You repaint them. You reattach them. It is an endless cycle of maintenance for something that should simply work without thought or attention.

An address stone ends that cycle entirely. It is carved from real natural stone that has been forming for millions of years through geological processes and will outlast your home’s siding, your roof, your driveway, maybe even the house itself. The stone does not care about UV radiation. It does not absorb moisture that expands when frozen. It does not corrode in salt air or fade in desert sun. It simply exists, marking your address permanently.

But here is what most people miss when they think about address stones. This is not just about curb appeal or avoiding maintenance. It is about safety. For emergency responders racing to find your home in the dark during a medical crisis, fire, or security incident, that clear, visible stone marker near your driveway could make a critical difference. Seconds matter. Clear addressing matters. A ground level stone marker positioned where approaching vehicles can see it from both directions, that is not decoration. That is a safety upgrade.

This is how you should think about an address stone. It is a safety upgrade that happens to look good, a lifetime solution that eliminates an ongoing maintenance task, and a curb appeal investment that pays returns every single day for as long as you own your home.

What is the difference between an address stone and other types of address signs for houses?
Address stones sit at ground level near your driveway or walkway, becoming integrated into your landscape rather than attached to your home’s exterior. Traditional address signs for houses are usually mounted directly on your home’s exterior wall, attached to your mailbox, or installed on a post or stake.

This difference in placement fundamentally changes their visibility and function. Address stones are positioned where approaching traffic can see them from both directions before vehicles reach your property, crucial for emergency vehicles trying to locate your home quickly, delivery drivers navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods, and first time visitors who need to identify your house from the street while moving.

They are visible before someone reaches your house. They provide wayfinding information during approach, not just confirmation once someone is already at your door.

Mounted house numbers on your home’s exterior are only clearly visible once someone is already standing at your entrance or has pulled into your driveway. They serve a different purpose. They confirm the correct location for someone who has already found your property.

Many homeowners use both approaches because they are complementary, not competing. House numbers mounted near your front door serve people at your entrance. An address stone near your driveway serves people trying to find your entrance from the street. Together they provide complete visibility from every approach angle and distance.

Are address stones better than metal signs, plaques, and other alternatives?
Better depends on what you are optimizing for. If you want the lowest possible initial cost and do not care about replacement cycles, cheap alternatives might seem appealing. But if you want permanence, zero maintenance, and something that actually lasts, address stones outperform every alternative.

Let’s compare honestly.

• Metal address signs for houses can corrode and rust over time, especially in coastal environments and northern climates where road salt accelerates deterioration. Posts or stakes can loosen, break, or fail. Many need replacement within 5 to 10 years due to rust damage, post failure, or deterioration. Painted or coated finishes also break down under UV exposure and contrast diminishes.
• Address plaques are surface mounted and vulnerable to fading, corrosion, and detachment as hardware loosens or fails. They can leave holes or damage behind when they fail.
• Wood address signs can rot, require repainting, and suffer insect damage and splitting from temperature cycling. They can look great when new, but they demand ongoing attention.
• Vinyl numbers can peel within 2 to 3 years as adhesive fails from UV exposure and temperature cycling.
• Stone address markers are permanent. Zero maintenance. No repainting, no fasteners to tighten, no posts to replace. Install once and it marks your address for as long as you own the property.

The real question is whether you value permanence and zero maintenance enough to pay once instead of paying repeatedly for temporary solutions.

What makes address stones meaningful as personalized garden stones and gifts?
Address stones function as personalized garden stones with permanent purpose. Unlike purely decorative garden stones that serve aesthetic roles, address stones serve daily practical function while carrying deep symbolic meaning. They mark the threshold of home, the specific place where your family’s story unfolds.

As housewarming gifts, wedding gifts, or realtor closing gifts, they mark milestones with appropriate permanence. They are not consumable items. They are permanent markers of meaningful moments and become woven into the fabric of daily life and long term memory.

Materials, Authenticity, and Stone Engraving Quality

What are address stones and personalized garden stones made from?
Address stones and custom garden stones can be made from various materials, but quality and longevity vary dramatically depending on what is underneath the surface.

Options include natural stone, cement or concrete (often marketed as stone like), resin composites, or cultured stone blends. Material choice determines performance, appearance, and lifespan.

Natural stone’s durability is inherent to the material. Cement based products can crack in freeze and thaw cycles because cement is porous and absorbs water. Resin composites can fade under UV exposure and become brittle over time.

What type of stone does Crafted Stones use for address stones?
We use exclusively real natural Arizona flagstone for all our address stones and personalized garden stones. We do not offer granite, cement based products, resin, or imitation stone materials.

What is Arizona flagstone and why does it matter for stone engraving?
Arizona flagstone is sedimentary stone formed over millions of years through natural layering and compression of mineral sediments. It displays warm earth tones ranging from sandstone buffs to rich Sedona reds. Natural variations in mineral patterns and color are part of authentic stone.

For engraving, flagstone is dense enough to hold detail and maintain crisp edges, yet carves cleanly. The natural texture supports strong paint adhesion and the low porosity limits moisture absorption.

Why are the edges irregular instead of perfectly straight?
Irregular edges are the signature of authentic hand cut natural stone. Flagstone naturally cleaves along its layers, creating organic edge profiles. These edges confirm authenticity, integrate naturally into landscaping, and make each stone genuinely unique.

Will the natural variations in my address stone look like defects?
Natural variations in thickness, edge shape, surface texture, mineral patterns, and color tone are expected characteristics of real stone. If you prefer perfectly uniform products, manufactured alternatives can provide that, but they sacrifice durability and authentic character. The trade is uniformity now versus permanence for years.

What is the difference between natural stone and cement based address signs for houses?
Natural stone is quarried from the earth and its performance is inherent. Cement based products are porous and absorb water, which can expand when frozen and cause cracking and spalling over repeated cycles. Natural stone does not rely on surface coatings to survive outdoors.

How does stone engraving create permanent house numbers?
Professional engraving uses CNC engraving or sandblasting to create deep recesses directly into the stone. After engraving, recessed numbers are filled with monument grade paint formulated for outdoor stone applications. Even if paint ever wears after many years, the engraved numbers remain legible because they are carved features.

Are address stones weatherproof for all climates?
Yes. Natural stone is suited for permanent outdoor placement in any climate. It holds up to sun, rain, snow, freeze and thaw cycles, humidity, coastal salt air, and temperature swings without needing protective treatments.

Will address stones crack in freezing temperatures or freeze and thaw cycles?
Natural stone properly selected and installed will not crack during freeze and thaw cycles. Arizona flagstone’s low porosity and density limit meaningful water absorption that causes freeze and thaw damage in porous materials.

Are address stones damaged by UV exposure and intense sun?
Natural stone is UV stable and will not fade or become brittle from sun exposure. Monument grade paint is formulated for long term outdoor UV resistance on stone.

Design, Customization, and Personalization

What can I customize on my address stone or personalized garden stone?
You can personalize your house number, font style selected for legibility, layout orientation, and optionally add a family name or subtle decorative elements that do not compromise visibility.

Will I see what my custom address sign looks like before it is made?
Yes. Our live product customizer shows a visual representation as you make changes in real time.

Will someone review my design before production begins?
Yes. If something looks unclear or might reduce street visibility, we will reach out before production begins.

What colors are available for Arizona flagstone?
Arizona flagstone shows natural earth tones, primarily sandstone buff and Sedona red. Natural variation is expected and you cannot select a specific tone.

What color paint is used for the engraved numbers?
We use black monument grade paint for maximum contrast and readability across natural stone tones.

Can I add custom text beyond just house numbers?
Yes. Many customers add a family name or other text, but we recommend keeping the house number dominant for maximum visibility.

Size, Visibility, and Placement Strategy

What size address stone do I need for my house?
We offer two standard sizes:

• Small approximately 16 inches by 16 inches, plus or minus 1 inch
• Large approximately 21 inches by 21 inches, plus or minus 1 inch

Both average about 1 inch thick with natural variation of plus or minus 1/4 inch.

How big should my house numbers be for visibility from the street?
Bigger numbers help, but contrast and engraving depth often matter more. With strong contrast and deep engraving, typical guidelines are:

• 3 to 4 inch tall numbers readable from about 50 feet in daylight
• 5 to 6 inch numbers visible from 100 feet or more
• 7 inch or larger numbers can be visible from 150 feet or more

Where should I place my address stone for maximum visibility?
Place it where approaching traffic can see it from both directions with enough time to read and react. Common best locations include:

• Near your driveway entrance at the street edge
• Beside a visible walkway
• At the property line near the curb for long driveways
• In a landscaped area with clear sight lines from both directions

Can emergency vehicles see address stones?
Yes, when properly sized, placed, and designed. Ground level markers near driveway entrances are where responders look first, especially at night and in bad weather.

Solar Lighting Solution

Do you offer lighted address signs for houses?
Yes. We offer a solar spotlight designed to illuminate address stones at night without wiring or electricity costs.

What is a solar address sign for house numbers?
A solar address sign combines a permanent marker with solar powered illumination for night visibility. The light charges during the day and turns on automatically at dusk.

How does a lighted address sign installation work with solar power?
The solar light stakes into the ground separately, typically 2 to 4 feet away. You aim the light head at the stone and angle the panel for sun exposure.

Can I add lighting to my address stone later, or do I need to order it together?
You can add it at any time. The light installs independently from the stone.

Do I need a light for my address stone?
Not required, but it improves visibility in low light areas, long driveways, rural settings, and streets with limited lighting.

What makes your solar address sign better than light up address signs with built in lights?
Our modular approach separates the permanent stone from the replaceable light. If the light fails years later, you replace the light, not the stone.

How do solar address signs compare to wired lighted address signs?
Solar needs no electrician, no trenching, no ongoing electricity cost, and it keeps working during power outages.

Installation Methods and Surfaces

How are address stones installed?
Each stone includes a mounting plate and hardware. Two threaded metal inserts are epoxied into the bottom of the stone. Place the plate, set the stone, then drive two screws into the inserts. The only tool needed is a screwdriver.

Can I install an address stone myself or do I need to hire someone?
You can install it yourself if you can lift about 40 pounds and use a screwdriver.

Can I install an address stone on grass?
Yes. The plate sits on top of grass without digging. The stone settles naturally as the grass compresses.

Can I install an address stone in gravel?
Yes. The plate can sit on gravel and the stone weight compresses it into a stable base.

Can I install an address stone in a mulch bed?
Yes. The plate sits in mulch. You can remove and reinstall easily when refreshing mulch.

Can I install an address stone on asphalt?
Yes. The weight holds it in place. Optional adhesive can be used for extra permanence in certain situations.

Can I install an address stone on pavers, brick, or concrete?
Yes. The plate sits flat. Optional anchors can be used in high traffic areas.

Do I need to dig or level the ground before installing?
No digging required. Choose a relatively level spot. Shims can be used for fine leveling if needed.

What if my ground is rocky, extremely hard, or difficult to work with?
The plate sits on top of the ground, so rocky or hard soil is not a problem.

Can I install an address stone on a slope or hill?
Yes. Use shims under the downhill edge to level the stone face for best readability.

How much does an address stone weigh?
About 35 to 45 pounds depending on the piece.

Pricing, Value, and Investment

How much does an address stone cost?
Custom address stones range from $195 to $295 plus applicable sales tax, depending on size and customization. Shipping in the United States is included.

Why do address stones cost more than signs on Amazon or at Home Depot?
Lower cost options use materials that degrade and require replacement. Real natural stone with deep engraving and monument grade paint is designed to last for years with minimal upkeep.

Do you offer discounts for ordering multiple stones?
Contact us for multi stone orders such as corner lots, multiple properties, or developments.

What is your return policy for custom address signs?
Custom made stones cannot be returned for preference changes. We replace stones for production errors or shipping damage.

What if you make a mistake engraving my stone?
If we make an error versus your approved design, we remake it at no cost to you.

What if I made a mistake entering my address or personalization?
Contact us immediately. If production has not started we may be able to help, but once engraving begins changes are not possible.

Maintenance and Long Term Care

Do address stones require maintenance?
Essentially no routine maintenance. There is no sealing schedule and no repainting cycle like wood or metal signs.

How do I clean my address stone?
Rinse with water or wipe with a damp cloth. Use a soft brush for stubborn dirt. Avoid harsh chemicals and high pressure washing.

Do address stones need to be sealed or treated?
No. Sealing is unnecessary and can create maintenance requirements rather than removing them.

Will moss or algae grow on address stones?
In shaded and moist areas, it can grow on the surface. Brush away with water and a soft brush. Sun exposure reduces growth.

What if the paint in the engraved numbers eventually wears?
Deep engraving remains legible even without paint. If needed years later, paint can be refreshed with monument grade paint.

Yes. You can customize your house number, font style, layout orientation, and optionally add your family name or subtle decorative elements using our live customizer.

An address stone is a permanent ground level marker made from real natural stone that displays your home’s street number. Unlike temporary signs that fade and need replacement, it becomes part of your property’s identity for years.

Address stones outlast metal signs and plaques. Metal can corrode, plaques can detach and fade, while stone is permanent and requires minimal upkeep over time.

Yes. Every address stone is custom engraved with your house number, your font choice, and optional name or text.

Yes. The same engraving and natural materials can be customized as memorial stones, garden markers, or decorative personalized stones with names, dates, or quotes. Contact us to discuss custom applications.

Engraved stone creates carved features that last. Printed signs rely on surface inks that can fade from sun exposure and require replacement sooner.

Our address stones are made from real natural Arizona flagstone. We do not use cement, resin, or imitation materials.

We use CNC engraving and sandblasting to create deep recessed engraving, then apply monument grade paint for high contrast visibility.

Yes. Natural stone is suited for permanent outdoor placement and holds up to sun, rain, snow, freeze and thaw cycles, and temperature extremes.

No. Arizona flagstone’s low porosity limits water absorption that causes freeze and thaw damage in porous materials.

No. Natural stone is UV stable and does not fade from sun exposure. Monument grade paint is engineered for long term outdoor UV resistance.

When made from real natural stone with proper engraving, address stones can last for years, often outlasting the homes they mark.

No. Numbers are carved into the stone as permanent recessed features. Even if paint ever weathers years later, the engraving remains legible.

Natural stone is quarried and inherently durable. Cement absorbs water and can crack over repeated freeze and thaw cycles. Stone lasts far longer without the same failure mode.

It is possible, but it requires sourcing stone, engraving equipment, and durable paint systems. Our stones install quickly with only a screwdriver and remove the learning curve.

Very simple. If you can lift about 40 pounds and use a screwdriver, you can install it in minutes.

Yes. Installation requires only a screwdriver and the ability to lift the stone. No professional installation is required.

Only a screwdriver. Each stone includes a mounting plate and screws, with threaded inserts already set into the stone.

Yes. The mounting plate sits on grass with no digging. The stone’s weight helps it settle naturally.

Yes. The mounting plate works on gravel or mulch. The stone’s weight compresses the base material for stability.

Yes. The plate sits flat on concrete, pavers, or brick. Optional anchors can be used in high traffic areas.

No digging required. Choose a relatively level spot. Minor irregularities can be shimmed if needed.

Typically a couple of minutes once you have chosen the location. Place the plate, set the stone, drive two screws.

Yes. We offer a solar spotlight that illuminates the stone at night without wiring or electricity costs.

A solar address sign combines a permanent marker with solar powered lighting for night visibility. It charges during the day and turns on automatically at dusk.

Yes. The solar spotlight installs independently and can be added at any time.

Not required, but it can significantly improve visibility in low light areas, long driveways, rural properties, or streets without lighting.

The light includes the fixture, solar panel, ground stake, rechargeable battery, and mounting hardware.

Solar requires no wiring, no electrician, no trenching, and no ongoing electricity costs. It also keeps working during power outages.

Small works well for shorter addresses and homes closer to the street. Large improves visibility for longer addresses or homes set back farther from the road.

Typical visibility guidance with strong contrast and deep engraving:

• 3 to 4 inch numbers readable from about 50 feet
• 5 to 6 inch numbers visible from 100 feet or more
• 7 inch or larger numbers visible from about 150 feet or more

Contrary note: size helps, but contrast and engraving depth often matter more than people expect.

Consider address length, distance from the street, placement sight lines, and contrast. Larger stones allow larger numbers for long set backs or longer addresses.

Yes. A well placed ground level stone near the driveway is in the sight line of approaching responders and can be easier to spot than numbers on a facade.

Near the driveway entrance at the street edge is ideal for most properties. It improves visibility for deliveries, guests, and emergency response.

Yes. The live product customizer shows a preview as you personalize it. If anything needs clarification for readability, we will reach out.

Arizona flagstone shows natural earth tones including sandstone buff and Sedona red. Natural variation is expected and specific tones cannot be selected.

Black monument grade paint for maximum contrast and readability.

Yes. Keep the house number dominant for emergency visibility. Additional text reduces character size.

They combine daily usefulness with permanence, marking the milestone of a new home with something that lasts for years.

Yes. You can ship directly to the recipient’s address.

Yes. They are practical, permanent, and reinforce the feeling of “you are home.”

Yes. They work well for commercial properties that need clear, professional address identification.

Orders typically ship within 3 to 4 business days. Each stone is custom engraved, so there is a short production window before shipping. Tracking is included.

Yes. We ship to all 50 states, Canada, and internationally. Contact us before ordering for international details and timelines.

Please double check everything before ordering. If you notice an issue right after purchase, contact us immediately. If production has not started we may be able to help, but once engraving begins changes are not possible.

Yes, contact us for multi stone orders such as corner lots, multiple properties, or developments.

Shipments include tracking and insurance. Contact us with photos and we will replace it. Shipping damage is our responsibility.

Contact us immediately. We can often help if production has not started, but changes are not possible once engraving begins.

Custom stones produced correctly cannot be returned for preference changes. We accept returns or offer replacements for production errors or shipping damage.