Non-Illuminated Monument Signs Built to Last

• Estate and complex entrances. See residential complex entrance signs.
• Schools, colleges and churches.
• Office parks and corporate campuses with landscaped entrances.
• Medical and professional practices that want a calm, established look.
• Hotels, lodges and guest houses.
• Government and municipal sites.

If you need height to be seen from a distance, see non-illuminated pylon signs.

• Metal-faced monuments: a fabricated metal box or panel with cut letters.
• Masonry base with metal lettering: brick, stone cladding or plastered base with fixed metal letters.
• Composite or concrete forms: clean architectural shapes.
• Wall-integrated signs: a sign built into a boundary wall.
• Plaque-style signs: engraved or etched panels set into a base. See engraved metal plaques.
• Double-sided signs: readable from both directions.

• Stainless steel, aluminium, brass and copper letters.
• Corten steel for estates and landscapes. See Corten steel signs.
• Face brick, plaster, stone cladding or concrete for the base.
• Powder-coated steel or aluminium for panels.
• Engraved or etched panels for formal text.

Because monument signs sit at eye level, material quality and edge detail show up close.

Non-illuminated monument signs are an honest choice for sites that do not need night-time display, or where ground lighting already exists. Shadow, depth and contrast give the sign presence in daylight.

• External spotlights or ground lighting can be added to wash the sign.
• Reflective or high-contrast finishes help in headlights.
• Provision for future lighting: conduits can be left in the base if you may light the sign later.

For an integrated lit version, see illuminated monument signs.

Choose a non-illuminated monument sign for a permanent, low-maintenance entrance feature with no running costs. Choose an illuminated monument when night display matters. Choose a pylon or totem when height or a slim footprint is the priority. Choose a freestanding business sign for a lighter board-on-posts option.

• Foundation and base: monument bases are heavy and need solid footings. We coordinate with builders where required.
• Letter size: as a rough guide, many designers allow around 25 mm of letter height per 10 m of viewing distance. Monument signs are often read at close range or low speed, which we consider on site.
• Contrast: metal on masonry or composite needs a finish combination that reads in different light.
• Position: the sign must not block sightlines at the entrance.
• Drainage and splash: low signs get splashed from sprinklers and road spray.
• Underground services: checked before digging.
• Approvals: body corporate, landlord and municipal rules are checked during survey and design.

• Size and the volume of the base.
• Facing materials such as brick, stone or concrete.
• Letter material and finish.
• Plaque or engraved panels.
• Single or double-sided.
• Foundation and ground conditions.
• Provision for later lighting.
• Coordination with builders.

Monument signs are among the lowest-maintenance signs. Wash metal and masonry periodically, keep sprinklers pointed away from the sign and trim plants. Natural-finish metals such as brass, copper and Corten change over time. See signage cleaning and maintenance.

Surveys and installations are arranged by appointment across Gauteng, including estates and campuses.

Areas we regularly plan surveys and installations in include: Sandton, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Midrand, Centurion, Fourways. See the full list on the areas page.