Choosing a headstone can be a deeply personal decision, one that you most likely weren’t preparing to have to make. But when the time comes to decide on a headstone, knowing where to start may help make it a little easier. While style, size, finish and design are all very important, the best place to start when choosing a headstone is with choosing the material. There are a variety of both manmade and natural materials to choose from. To help make your decision a little easier, here are a few of the most common headstone materials and the differences between them.
Granite
Because we specialize in granite headstones in Walterboro, SC, you may think that we are a little partial to granite. Well, we are, but for good reasons. Granite is one of the most durable and beautiful natural stones on the planet. Its timeless look, unique texture and colors and superior durability all make it an ideal material for headstones. Not only can granite be easily customizable to best suit the style and look you want, but granite will also last much longer than most other materials.
Sandstone
Versatility is one of the greatest benefits of opting to use sandstone for a headstone. Sandstone can be easily cut and customized to fit your design vision. The color of sandstone ranges from sandy to gray, and headstones made of this material often look soft and elegant. The downside to sandstone is that is porous by nature. Once moisture penetrates the stone, it can lose its look very quickly.
Iron
Like granite, iron is also a durable material that can be used to create attractive headstones—although “headstone” may not be the best description. Ironwork headstones are often intricate and beautiful, but they typically look more like a grave marker than an actual headstone. While iron headstones will often be left standing for many generations, they can very quickly rust, which may not be appealing to some people.
Marble
Marble, like sandstone, is a softer material and is perfect for carving intricate and beautiful designs. Plus, there is a luxurious look to marble that many people find appealing. Marble also comes in many different colors to best fit your personal style. The only downside to marble is that it’s not very durable. Rainwater alone can very quickly wear down the surface of the headstone, making any inscription harder to read.
Bronze
Perhaps the greatest benefit of opting for a bronze headstone is its cost. Compared to the other materials mentioned here, bronze is often the least expensive. In addition, because bronze is a metal alloy, it is easily customizable. When opting to use bronze, you have a wide variety of design options to choose from. Finally, bronze is also very easy to maintain.
At Steedley Monument Works, we want you to choose the headstone material that best suits your style and needs. But if you are looking for granite headstones in Walterboro, SC, be sure to contact us and see what we can do for you.