Hardware Tip
Address Signs
A clear and easy-to-read address sign is important for safety and for helping guests find your home. If your numbers are faded, missing, or hard to see from the street, this is a simple weekend project. First, choose numbers that are big enough and contrast with your house color. A dark number on a light wall, or a light number on a dark wall, works best. Before you drill any holes, lay the numbers out on the ground to check the spacing. Use a level to make sure they will be straight when you put them up. This planning step prevents crooked numbers and extra holes in your siding.
When you are ready to install, hold each number in place and lightly mark the screw holes with a pencil. If you are attaching them to brick or stone, you may need special drill bits and anchors. For wood or vinyl siding, standard screws will often work. Make sure the screws are tight, but do not overtighten them or you might crack plastic numbers. Finally, step back to the street at night to see if a visitor or emergency vehicle could spot your address. Adding a small solar-powered light nearby can make your numbers visible twenty-four hours a day, which is a great safety upgrade.
