Entrance signs- ideas, please

The signs announcing the name of our neighborhood need to be replaced. I have gotten an estimate for the "sand blasted" signs that are made of a foam base, but look like wood. But a nearby association had a beautiful one made and vandals smashed it with a bat and the foam caved in. They run about $100 per foot.

The signs we have now are about 3' high by 6' wide, but IMO, they should be a little smaller- we are just a community of 100 townhomes and the signs are in the islands of our two entrances.

What are some options that you all have tried or seen? Would like to keep costs to about $600 per sign, vandalism-resistant and not a lot of frou frou- just the name of our association and "deed-restricted community".

What material did you use for the signs themselves?

Thanks, Brian. Steel? Hmmm... I was wondering if we couldn't just fill in the wood rot and use that clear stuff that they use on bar tables, etc. to coat it. I will check out all of your suggestions.

I've never been involved in this end of an HOA. I guess local is the way to go- just check the phone book and ask for the location of some signs that they have already done?

KarenS11: I would suggest you take a drive through your local area to check out Administrative Offices, School Buildings, Municipal Offices, to learn what type of signs they are using. They could probably steer you to the manufacturer and give an idea of the cost. As you find some you like, take photos to present to the rest of the Sign Committee.

As an FYI, I, personally, see no need to include "deed-restricted community" on your Community sign. The Community Name is all that is necessary on a small-sized sign; otherwise, you would be paying for many additional wording/letters which don't provide any needed information.