Transforming your home’s exterior can significantly enhance its curb appeal and reflect a more contemporary style. Over the past few weeks, we’ve embarked on a journey to modernize our home’s facade, starting with the installation of a stylish wood slat wall and the addition of a striking modern planter featuring a beautiful rusted patina. These initial projects laid the groundwork for a cohesive, modern aesthetic that truly elevates the property’s character.
Today, we’re excited to share the latest and final exterior update for the season: installing new, modern house address numbers. With winter approaching and temperatures dropping, outdoor projects are winding down. This particular detail, while seemingly small, plays a crucial role in tying together the entire modern exterior design, offering both functionality and sophisticated style.
Elevating Curb Appeal with Modern Floating House Numbers
The quest for the perfect house address numbers began several months ago. It wasn’t as straightforward as one might think; the market offers a vast array of styles, materials, and sizes, making the selection process an exercise in thoughtful consideration. I ordered various options, but many proved either too diminutive to be easily visible or didn’t quite capture the desired aesthetic. After a process of trial and error, evaluating different designs against our specific needs, we finally found the ideal match: a sleek aluminum style from the renowned Design Within Reach.
Our criteria for selecting the perfect modern house numbers were clear and focused on achieving a distinct visual impact while ensuring practicality. We meticulously sought numbers that:
- Exuded a Modern Aesthetic: The numbers needed to seamlessly integrate with the contemporary design elements we had already introduced to the home’s exterior, avoiding any visual clashes.
- Offered Optimal Visibility: For practical reasons and safety, it was essential that the address numbers be easily readable from a distance. We aimed for a height between 8 and 10 inches to ensure they stood out effectively.
- Featured a Floating Mount Design: The desire for a modern, architectural look led us to prioritize numbers that could be float-mounted using spacers. This technique creates a subtle shadow effect, adding depth and a sophisticated, three-dimensional quality to the numbers, making them appear to ‘float’ off the surface.
During our search, we explored several brands. Hillman offered a range of very nice floating metal numbers at an attractive price point. However, despite their quality and affordability, they ultimately proved too small for our vision. When it comes to displaying your house address, visibility is paramount. The numbers needed to be prominent enough to be easily spotted by visitors, delivery services, and emergency personnel, reinforcing the importance of size in our selection process.
This seemingly minor detail—the address numbers—serves as yet another carefully chosen element that contributes significantly to the modern exterior aesthetic we’re cultivating. It’s a testament to how even the smallest additions can make a profound statement, bringing coherence and contemporary elegance to the overall design of our home.
DIY Guide: How to Attach Floating Modern House Numbers to a Brick Exterior
Installing floating house address numbers, particularly on a challenging surface like brick, requires patience and the right tools. The most demanding aspect of this project was undoubtedly drilling precision holes into our brick facade. This step alone required no less than four masonry drill bits, highlighting the toughness of the material. However, once the anchor points for mounting the address plate were successfully created, the subsequent steps of hanging and leveling the numbers proved to be much more manageable and rewarding. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring a secure and visually appealing installation.
Supplies and Tools Needed for Your Modern House Number Installation:
- Modern Floating House Address Numbers: Choose a style that complements your home’s aesthetic, ensuring they come with their specific mounting hardware and aligning templates.
- Pencil: For marking precise drill locations and outlines.
- Painter’s Tape: Useful for securing templates and preventing slippage during marking.
- Wood Board (Cedar or Pressure-Treated): Select a durable wood for your address plate, ideally cedar for its natural resistance to weather or pressure-treated for longevity.
- Wood Stain or Paint: To finish your wood plate in a color that matches or contrasts beautifully with your home.
- Masonry Screws: Specifically designed for secure fastening into brick or concrete.
- Masonry Drill Bits: Multiple sizes may be needed, matching the diameter of your screws. Expect to use several, as brick can be very hard on bits.
- Flush Mount Hangers (Interlocking Picture Hangers): These specialized hangers allow the address plate to sit flush against the wall without visible screws, maintaining a clean, modern look.
- Bubble Level: Absolutely essential for ensuring your address plate is perfectly straight.
- Screwdriver: Manual or electric, for attaching hangers and numbers.
- Power Drill: A robust drill with a hammer drill function is highly recommended for masonry.
- Safety Glasses: Always wear eye protection when drilling or cutting.
- Measuring Tape: For accurate placement and sizing.
Estimated Time for Project: Approximately 2 hours
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating and Mounting a Modern House Address Plate
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Step 1: Determine Address Plate Size and Stain the Wood
Once you have your chosen house numbers in hand, the first critical step is to determine the appropriate dimensions for your wooden address plate. Most floating house numbers come with convenient templates that simplify the process of aligning and evenly spacing each number. Begin by arranging these templates on a scrap piece of wood or paper, experimenting with different layouts until you achieve your desired spacing and overall aesthetic. Remember to leave adequate space on both ends of the numbers for a balanced look. Once satisfied with the arrangement, measure the length and width needed for your address plate. With your dimensions confirmed, carefully cut your cedar or pressure-treated wood to size. The final touch for this step is to apply your chosen paint or stain, ensuring complete coverage and allowing ample time for it to dry according to the product instructions. This preparation is vital for both the appearance and longevity of your address plate.
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Step 2: Mount the Numbers to the Wood Plate According to Manufacturer Directions
Every set of house numbers comes with specific mounting instructions from the manufacturer. It is crucial to follow these directions precisely, as they detail the correct hardware and method for secure attachment. For our chosen numbers, we utilized the spacer option, which is key to achieving that desirable “floating” effect. This technique raises the numbers slightly from the surface of the wooden plate, creating a subtle shadow line that adds depth and a modern, three-dimensional appeal. Carefully align each number using the provided templates, mark your drill points, and then securely fasten them to the prepared wood plate. Double-check that all numbers are straight and evenly spaced before tightening them fully.
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Step 3: Prepare the Mounting Surface and Attach Wood Blocks (If Necessary)
Our installation plan called for centering the address plate precisely between the existing brick facade and the newly installed slat wall. Given that the slat wall protrudes further than the brick, a differential in depth existed. To achieve a perfectly even and flush presentation of the address plate across both surfaces, we needed to create a uniform mounting plane. We accomplished this by cutting two custom wood blocks and securely attaching them to the brick wall. These blocks effectively extended the brick surface to match the depth of the slat wall, ensuring that when the address plate was eventually mounted, it would be raised consistently and appear seamlessly integrated with both architectural elements. Use appropriate masonry screws and drill bits for this step, ensuring a robust attachment of the blocks to the brick.
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Step 4: Strategically Attach Flush Mount Hangers
Now, focus on the back of your newly prepared wooden address plate. Carefully determine the optimal placement for your flush mount slide-in hangers. These ingenious hangers consist of two interlocking parts. We used two pairs for added stability, positioning one pair on each side of the plate. It’s crucial to understand that while the two parts of each hanger appear identical, one part is mounted “right-side up” on the wall, and its counterpart is mounted “upside down” on the back of the plate, allowing them to slide together and interlock.
Using these hangers offers a significant aesthetic advantage: they eliminate the need for visible screws on the front surface of your address plate, preserving its clean and modern look. While this method can be slightly trickier to perfectly level compared to simply drilling screws directly through the front (which would leave unsightly screw heads, or require counter-sinking, puttying, sanding, and staining), the superior finish is well worth the extra effort. Remember, two parts go on the back of the plate, and two identical parts go on the wall (or the wood blocks you just installed), ensuring they align perfectly for a secure slide-in fit.
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Step 5: Simplify Alignment and Leveling with a Clever Paint Trick
Achieving perfect alignment and levelness when using flush mount slide-in hangers can be the most challenging part of the installation. However, a simple yet highly effective trick can make this process significantly easier. Begin by attaching the “wall-side” components of your flush mount hangers securely to the wood blocks (or directly to the wall if no blocks are used). Ensure they are firmly screwed into place. Next, take the corresponding “plate-side” hanger components and slide them onto the wall-mounted pieces. With the hangers temporarily interlocked on the wall, dab a small amount of paint (a color that will contrast with the back of your address plate, so it’s easily visible) onto the exposed surfaces of the plate-side hangers, as illustrated in the accompanying image. This paint will serve as your precise marking guide in the next step.
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Step 6: Mark and Attach Remaining Hangers to the Address Plate
This step is best performed with two people for optimal accuracy and ease. Carefully lift your address plate and hold it up to the painted hangers that are now temporarily mounted on your wall. Use a bubble level to ensure the address plate is perfectly horizontal and aligned exactly where you want it to be. Once the desired alignment and level are achieved, gently but firmly press the address plate against the painted hangers. The paint you dabbed in the previous step will now leave precise stamp marks on the back of your address plate. These marks indicate the exact locations where you need to attach the remaining “plate-side” hanger components.
Remove the address plate from the wall. You will now see clear paint circles or marks on its back, indicating where your screws should go. Align the remaining flush mount hangers with these marks and securely screw them onto the back of the address plate. This ingenious method eliminates guesswork and ensures a perfect, level fit when you finally mount the plate. The accompanying photo vividly demonstrates these paint marks, guiding you to precisely attach the hangers for a flawless installation.
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Step 7: Final Mounting – Attach the Address Plate to the Wall
With all hanger components securely attached – two on the wall (or wood blocks) and two on the back of your address plate – the final step is simple and satisfying. Carefully align the hangers on the back of the address plate with the corresponding flush-mounted brackets already affixed to the wall. Gently slide the address plate downwards until the interlocking hangers click into place, creating a secure and seamless connection. Take a step back and admire your beautifully installed, perfectly level, modern house address plate! The side view in the photo below clearly illustrates how the address plate sits flush and elegantly integrated with the exterior brick wall, completing the contemporary look.
And just like that, another significant exterior update is complete! The addition of these modern floating house numbers not only provides clear identification for our home but also meticulously aligns with the contemporary aesthetic we’ve been building. Every detail, from the choice of aluminum to the floating mount, contributes to a cohesive and sophisticated curb appeal.
With this project wrapped up, our exterior updates for the colder months are officially on hold. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring, when we can resume our larger vision for the front of the house. Our goal is to bring our home closer to the stunning, refreshed look envisioned in our initial design mock-ups.
It’s always exciting to see how close reality gets to the Photoshopped dream! Stay tuned for more transformations next spring as we continue to craft the perfect modern exterior for our home.
Where to Find Your Own Modern Floating House Address Numbers: Top Resources
Finding the perfect set of modern house numbers is key to achieving that ideal contemporary look. To help you on your search, here are some excellent resources offering a variety of styles, sizes, and finishes that align with modern design principles. Remember to consider factors like visibility, material durability, and mounting style when making your selection. Each of these retailers provides high-quality options that can significantly elevate your home’s curb appeal.
Here are some of our top recommendations for sourcing stylish and durable modern house numbers:
- a. Rejuvenation: Known for their high-quality home goods, Rejuvenation offers elegant options like their 6″ Rock Creek Modern House Numbers, perfect for a subtle yet distinct statement.
- b. Aurele Numbers: Explore unique and often custom designs from Aurele Numbers, providing a personalized touch to your home’s exterior.
- c. Montague Metal Products: For versatility and color options, check out the Montague 8″ Metal Numbers, available in a wide array of finishes to match any exterior palette.
- d. Design Within Reach: The source of our chosen numbers, their Neutra Modern House Numbers embody timeless contemporary design.
- e. & f. Hillman: A more accessible option, Hillman Floating Metal House Numbers provide a good balance of style and affordability, especially for those on a budget, though they tend to be in smaller sizes.
Each of these options brings its own unique character and quality, helping you finalize your home’s modern exterior transformation.