So I know this post has been done a thousand times on a thousand different peoples sites. Heck ive even seen pictures on pinterest, and while i didnt think to search etsy im sure theyre on there too. But heres the low down, i gave this project a try after seeing those pictures mainly because I don’t have any numbers on the front of my house to let 911 know where I live in an emergency but also my sad front porch needs a major facelift on a budget.
So here is the completed project and as always holding nothing back. This took me a little under 4 hours to complete. Because i had to scrap the initial build and deal with my screaming baby setting the dogs off. So if you preplan and don’t have a newborn to scream bloody murder for all to hear this should take you maybe 1-2 hours. This project was super easy overall, being near the baby was a must so I made a make shift work bench using my patio chairs and a paint bucket to hold the planter up while I screwed and nailed it together. Keeping it classy!!
First things first grab some wood. Luckily I had just removed some cypress shelving in my barn to replace some studs…so i grabbed the wooden shelves. When I go to put the shelving back up ill kick myself for using the wood for this project but oh well such is life. One shelf was 11.5″ and the other was 7.5″ both pieces were 7/8″ thick. Then i scrounged up some screws, stain, 16gauge nails, numbers, and spray paint. Tools i used were a speed square, measuring tape, level, circular saw, orbital sander, 120 grit sand paper, 3/32 drill bit, 1″ speed bore, nail gun, air compressor, and my trusty pencil.
First step draw a line down the center of the board. Next measure the width of the address numbers you are using, and draw a line on either side of your center line so you can center the numbers. I measured this way so i could center the numbers draw the drill holes. It was the fastest way to get close to perfect for my anal retentiveness and lack of time. Next measure the distance you want your numbers to be apart vertically. 1″ spacing looked best for my 4″ address numbers. Mark the mounting holes for your numbers and drill pilot holes before sanding. My screws needed a 3/32″ pilot hole drilled, this isn’t necessary but i didn’t want to risk the wood splitting.
After measuring and marking up the 7.5″ board i realized that it wasn’t going to be big enough to hold a potted plant. So I redid the markings on the 11.5″ board and measured with a potted plan to make sure the size would be adequate. For my porch a board length of 37.5″ was perfect. My remaining piece of 11.5″ board broke as it hit the ground while cutting so after going to the drawing board i decided to use a piece of the 7.5″ board and just attach it on the front instead of under the board as i had planned. After adapting and overcoming I used the remaining 7.5″ board spans cutting 2 – 8″H x 6″W for the sides and 1- 8″H x 9 7/8″W for the front.
After cutting the boards to length i sanded them down past the stains and layers of dust using an orbital sander and 120 grit paper. The lightest stain i had was Red Mahogany so thats what i used and applied with a rag.
I added the numbers next.
After staining i scrounged up 2-1.25″ deck screws and after drilling a pilot hole and a counter sink hole, attached the bottom board to the address board. Then i fired up the ol air compressor and used a 16ga nail gun to attach the sides and front piece. Thinking i should add wood glue was a useless idea since i was in a rush and didn’t use my bench not all the boards were perfectly straight and the wood glue accented that fact. So instead I just shot in a few extra nails for good measure. Maybe if you’re not in a rush and have all the necessary tools and supplies you wont have warped boards and only a hand saw.
After admiring my handiwork from afar it seemed too hard to read the dark numbers against the dark stain. So i grabbed my trusty spray paint and turned them gold. It added a nice pop of color and more importantly they can be seen from the road.
So if youre looking to add some curb appeal in a few hours this project is the job for you!! Lesson learned here is to prep before starting the project.
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