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Choosing monuments for a loved one’s memorial is always a difficult task, and winter weather can make it even more complicated. Not only can cold affect the installation of headstones for graves, but it can also impact the durability of monuments if they will be subjected to freezing conditions every year. Below are the factors you should consider when choosing a headstone during cold weather. 

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Headstone in Cold Weather

1. Installation Conditions

Monuments can usually be placed even in the coldest conditions, but planning is required to ensure that they are installed for maximum durability. The most important part of winter installation is getting the base or foundation of the memorial installed before any hard frosts. Most monument companies can arrange installation in advance to avoid the complications of freezing weather. 

Monuments2. Materials

Different monument materials have different levels of durability. The most popular choices for memorials are granite, marble, and bronze. Bronze is often used for flat grave markers, and offers very high cold weather durability. Not every family prefers a flat grave marker, however, and for traditional headstones, the choice is typically between marble and granite. For cold resistance and general durability, granite is the better choice. Marble breaks down far more quickly than granite, and it’s more likely to crack and erode, which is exacerbated by continual cold weather. 

3. Engraving

The durability and visibility of a headstone’s engraving are very important to most families. While a bronze plaques’ lettering is durable, it is easily covered by snow and ice.  For traditional headstones, granite’s engravings will be less subject to corrosion. Granite also keeps its color much better than marble, which can become discolored by mildew and moss fairly easily. 

 

McGee Monument Co Inc provides custom headstones and memorials to Conway, Russellville, Clinton, Atkins, Dardanelle, Danville, and Morrilton, AR. They have over one hundred years of experience creating beautiful headstones and are committed to handcrafting high-quality memorials. Visit their website to view all of their locations and call (800) 750-0177 for more information about their services.

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