WOOD - This has been the traditional material used for early signs. However,unless the wood is chosen carefully its long term “life” can be limited.Even when painted, or varnished, the sign tends to weather badly and regular maintenance is essential.

Examples of wooden village signs are Malling, Coggeshall and Hollingbourne.

FIBREGLASS - This material has been used as a substitute for wood and can give a relatively maintenance-free product. It can also be used in sheet form,to provide a picture effect, but in this case a suitable frame in wood or metal needs to be incorporated to achieve rigidity. Requires a specialist manufacturer.

Examples of fibreglass are West Malling and Stockbury

FORGED STEEL - Usually used to provide a silhouette effect.Finished sign can be plain black or painted. The use of gold leaf can give a dramatic effect and will be hard wearing. Any paints used must be chosen carefully to provide good weathering properties. Has the advantage that it can be made by local blacksmith providing the design is not too complicated.

Examples of forged steel are Harvel and Doddington.

Examples of painted steel are Meopham and Appledore.

Examples of panel steel are Eastchurch and Charing.

CAST ALUMINIUM - Usually used in conjunction with forged steel as a supporting frame.Can give a “picture effect” so that the design can be more inclusive than with simple forged steel sign. Has the advantage of being light in weight and, providing the finishing paints are chosen carefully, can give a long lasting sign requiring little maintenance.

Examples of cast aluminium are Lower Halstow, Leybourne and Tenterden

CAST METALS Cast-Iron and Bronze can be used to good effect for relatively small signs.More suitable for the production of several signs of the same design. Finished product can be very hard wearing and maintenance free providing any finishing paint is chosen carefully. Requires specialist manufacture.

Examples of cast metals are Downe and Chatham

CERAMIC - Can take the form of a single sheet or a composite of mosaic tiles in a wood or metal frame. Mosaics can look attractive and unusual but life of the finished sign will be dependent on the base material used, and adhesive used to fix tiles.

Examples include Eynsford and Otford

STONE - Stone can give a unique and unusual product and a specialist craftsman is necessary. Stone village signs are very vulnerable to vandalism and graffiti which can cause irreparable damage.

Examples are Detling and Sevenoaks Weald.