12.06.22
 

What things should be considered when choosing address numbers for your home?

Gone are the days when nearly everyone had the exact same style and color of address numbers on their home. Now, there are an abundance of options to choose from. Before you make your decision, read more about the things you need to consider. 

 Jen Stark
Jen Stark

Jen Stark is the founder of Happy DIY Home.

Visibility, Style, and Adherence to Regulations

There are a few things you should take into consideration when choosing address numbers for your home.

The first is to make sure the numbers are visible from the street. This will ensure that emergency responders can find your home quickly and easily. You also want to make sure the numbers are large enough to be seen from a distance.

Another thing to consider is whether you want your address numbers to match the style of your home.

Choose numbers that complement the overall look of your property.

Finally, check with your local city or county ordinances to see if there are any regulations regarding address numbers.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your home is properly identified and easy to find.

 

Melanie Munson

Melanie Musson

Melanie Musson is a home renovation expert with Clearsurance.com.

The Look

Before you buy numbers, cut a few numbers out of paper so you can see how different sizes look from the street. If your house number isn’t visible, there’s not much point in installing them. Their size affects their appearance.

When choosing house numbers, the most important thing is how they look. 

Once you settle on an appropriate size, cut out different paper colors to get an idea of which colors look best. While it’s nearly impossible to find an exact match between paper numbers and real house numbers, you can at least narrow down color families and cool versus warm shades.

After you know what size numbers you need and what color you desire, you can start looking for the style you want. Your house numbers should complement your home, so you think about how boxy, ornate, or simple numbers would fit your architecture.

Max Shak
Max Shak

Max Shak, Founder of Nerdigital.

Consider These Factors

Having your house numbers clearly visible is always a good idea, whether it's for the postman or for guests who are coming over.

Home numbers are one of the most popular and convenient methods of identifying homes and property.

As well as being functional, house numbers add a decorative touch to your exterior. To help you pick the perfect house numbers for your home, I've put together a guide that includes some things to consider:

Design and Type of House/Apartment
House numbers can be chosen to match the aesthetics of your home (for example, rustic timber house signs might not be appropriate for a modern townhouse in Las Vegas). Choose a house number style that matches the style of your property.

Visibility and Readability
House signs should be easy to read - this is their most important purpose.  The installation of house numbers in well-lit areas will make them more visible at night. [However,] house numbers shouldn't be installed too close to the light, as the glare could make them harder to see.

It is important to pick a house number that is visible during the day and at night.

Size
A house number's size depends on the distance between the street and the place where it will be positioned. Most houses should have at least four-inch tall numbers, but if your driveway is long, you may want to consider bigger numbers.

Color
The color you choose should stand out from the background. Dark house numbers, for instance, may blend in with the darkness of your home's exterior, making them unreadable. Therefore, if you have a dark-colored home, use light-colored numbers, and vice versa.

Material
An important factor to consider is the material's durability and ability to withstand weather conditions. It is important to invest in good quality house numbers so that they will last a long time.

Some materials, however, require more maintenance than others, even though they are durable. Stainless steel house signs, for example, are durable and usually require no maintenance. Polished brass signs may need regular polishing to maintain their original polish.

Placement
Visibility and readability are closely linked to placement. You should place your house numbers on the front of your house in a highly visible location. Depending on the design of your home, the highly visible area could be near the front door, above eye level, or at the beginning of the driveway.

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors' statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.

Picture of the Author

rick mclain, author

Rick is a licensed architect at Repp McLain Design & Construction. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arizona and an MS from the Department of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). When he’s not designing and fabricating he enjoys spending time with Brandy, Jack, Avery & Taylor and restoring his grandfather’s Ford pickup truck. Learn more about Rick on LinkedIn.

You can learn more about Rick on the Repp McLain Website, on LinkedIn, at the AIA Website, or on Facebook.

You may also be interested in:
How to Effectively Use Signage in Multi-Unit Properties
09.05.24

How to Effectively Use Signage in Multi-Unit Properties

At Modern House Numbers, we frequently get questions about the best way to use signs in multi-unit properties. While signage might seem like a minor detail, it’s actually a crucial part of your property. To create effective signage, it's important to think about design, placement, and functionality. Well-designed signs not only guide residents and visitors but also enhance visibility and...


READ MORE
MidMod Midwest Podcast Featuring Brany McLain
08.27.24

MidMod Midwest Podcast Featuring Brany McLain

Brandy McLain, the visionary behind Modern House Numbers, returns to the MidMod Midwest Podcast, hosted by Della Hansmann, to delve into the world of house numbers and curb appeal. In this episode, Brandy discusses exterior lighting and creative ways to display your address numbers. If you’re looking to boost your home’s curb appeal, you’ll want to keep reading. The Importance...


READ MORE