House numbers are a must. They help people and emergency services quickly find your home. That being said, normal or run-of-the-mill house numbers may not fit the aesthetic of your home. Custom house numbers are a fantastic option to achieve not only the functional purpose of house numbers, but also look stunning while doing so.
Size of Your Custom House Numbers
The first thing to do when looking for a custom house number is to think about the size of the number. How far from the road are the numbers going to be mounted, is there anything in the way that might inhibit visibility, and so on. These are all going to help you determine what size house custom house number or custom house letters should be.
If you are very far from the road, and your custom house numbers and custom house letters are going to be very far from the road as well, larger numbers in this situation are a must. The larger the numbers the more visible they are going to be from the road to passing motorist and to anyone that is looking for your home. If you have a home that is closer to the road, smaller numbers may suffice.
With the size of the custom house letter or number, you also have to consider the space that you have to actually mount the numbers. You may need a very large number or letter due to the distance from the road, however if you do not have an appropriate space to mount it, you may have to heed those limitations and choose the largest number you can mount in that space. Alternatively, you could construct a post, or find another suitable surface for mounting your number.
Font of Your Custom House Letter or Numbers
The next factor to keep in mind when selecting your house numbers and letters is to think about what font you want for your custom pieces. Do you like an ornate font, one that is bold and easy to read, one that mimics handwriting? If so, your main issue may be one of readability.
With fonts that might be harder to read, the larger the number or letter, the easier it is to read. With most house numbers, it is best to opt for fonts that are simple, that have mostly straight lines, and even those that might be bolded or thicker so that they are easier to see from a distance, and easier to see if you are moving or in non-ideal weather situations.
In determining a suitable font, you can always print out an example font in the size you are considering and hang it to see how easy it is to see from the road. This can help you get an idea of readability and how easy it is going to be for anyone coming to your home or looking for your home to read the font and actually be able to find the property.
Choice of font is a super important factor that can completely change the way that your numbers are read. If you have a font that is difficult, it may not matter where they are mounted or how large they are. Font should be one of the biggest factors when it comes to choosing your custom numbers and letters.
Color, Material and Finish
The last thing you want to keep in mind is the color, material and finish of your letters. A great example would be if you have a personal preference for white letters. This option can work well providing your intended mounting space is dark to deliver the right contrast. If the mounting surface and the house numbers are a similar color, the letters are going to disappear into the background. This can make the numbers and be incredibly difficult to see. You want a number color that is going to be different enough from the place it is being hung that it is going to be easy to see what number or letter is which.
The next thing to remember is that material also makes a difference. Are the numbers going to be somewhere where they are sheltered from things like ice and rain? If so, a sturdy plastic could be an option. If they are going to be exposed to more extreme elements, you may want something that is a bit sturdier like aluminium. Over time, an aluminium constructed house numbers will generally stand up to the elements better than plastic, and with proper maintenance will keep their appearance.
You also want to keep the finish of the letters or numbers in mind. While a brushed aluminium finish can be an appealing effect, it is not suitable in coastal environments. Although the aluminium will not rust, the surface can corrode over time. A powder coated finish in either matt black or matt white is a great option for not only the appearance, but also the durability that powder coating plus chromate conversion coating offers.
Taking the time to think about all these factors can make a big difference in the functionality and visibility of your house numbers. Custom numbers and letters can be a great way to achieve the look and feel you want to achieve an appearance you're happy with for years to come.
