
Home address numbers and letters are crucial for identification and navigation. They should be clearly visible from the street.
The best practice is to install house numbers on a wall or post near the front entrance, ideally between 3 and 6 feet off the ground. This ensures they are easily readable from the street.
In addition to numbers, address letters can also be used to provide additional information, such as a unit number or a suite number. This is especially helpful in multi-unit buildings or apartments.
It's essential to keep your house numbers and letters clean and well-maintained to ensure they remain visible and readable.
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Addressing Basics
Address numbers on buildings should be visible and legible from the street, road, fire lane, or other right-of-way or easement fronting the structure.
For new construction projects, street names and temporary address numbers must be posted at the street(s) or road(s) fronting the entrance to the site, and must be at least 12 inches in height, legible, and weather resistant.
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The Regional Building Department is responsible for making official address assignments, and you can contact them at 719-327-2960.
The City's Code Services section will enforce address number placement on existing buildings, but only after receiving a complaint.
Temporary address numbers on construction sites should be maintained until replaced with permanent address numbers.
Number Design and Display
Address numbers and letters should be placed on the side of the building facing the addressed street. This ensures they're easily visible from the street and for a distance of at least 100 feet from the structure.
In the UK, house owners have the discretion to decide whether to install numbering plates, and the type of material used can vary greatly, from acrylic to stone.
The address numbers must be at least five inches in height and have a stroke of no less than one-half inch to be legible. This is a standard requirement to ensure visibility.
In the UK, house numbers can be engraved on fanlights in front doors, which is a traditional practice dating back to the 1720s.
Mounting and Placement
Mounting house address numbers can be done with optional stud mounting, which provides an unblemished number and includes a template for simple installation and alignment. This type of mounting is ideal for those who want a clean look.
Thin house numbers can also be mounted with outdoor mounting tape. It's worth noting that heavy duty adhesive is an alternative option.
For those who prefer a more traditional look, solid cedar numbers are available. They can be mounted with a template to ensure proper alignment.
If you're looking for a more permanent solution, consider using MDO plywood with a smooth face. It's a great option for large address numbers.
Mounting hardware can add to the overall cost of your house numbers. Here's a breakdown of the additional costs:
Mounting House Numbers
Mounting house numbers can be a bit tricky, but with the right information, you'll be able to get it done in no time. Optional stud mounting provides an unblemished number and includes a template for simple installation and alignment. This is a great option if you want to avoid any damage to your wall.
You can also use thin house numbers that can be mounted with outdoor mounting tape. This is a good choice if you're not comfortable with drilling into your wall. Mounting studs are threaded aluminum prongs that stick out of the back of the number, making it easy to install.
Cedar or MDO are popular materials for house numbers, with cedar being suitable for regular address numbers and MDO for larger ones. Solid Cedar numbers are also an option, and MDO plywood with a smooth face can provide a clean look. Temporary outdoor signage can also be used, especially if you're just setting up a construction site.
Here are some additional options to consider:
- Cedar or MDO: $0 (default option)
- Cedar for regular address numbers: $0 (default option)
- MDO for large address numbers: $0 (default option)
- Solid Cedar numbers: $0 (default option)
- MDO plywood with smooth face: $0 (default option)
- Temporary outdoor signage: $0 (default option)
- Custom Color: $20.00 more
- Flush Mounting Hardware: $3.00 more per letter
- Projected Spacer Mounting Hardware: $3.00 more per letter
- Projected Jam Nut Mounting Hardware: $3.00 more per letter
- Paper Template: $1.00 more per letter
Boost Home Curb Appeal
Elegant address signs can greatly enhance your home's curb appeal. Choose from modern, rustic, or minimalist styles to match your home's exterior.
Durable, custom-made plaques are a great option for houses, mailboxes, or gated entries. They're perfect for adding a touch of personality to your home's exterior.
Solar-powered house numbers are fantastic, charging during the day and lighting up at night. They're a great choice for illuminating your address.
Custom 3D metal letter signage stands out brilliantly, offering depth and character to any business front. It's a great way to add some visual interest to your home's exterior.
In the UK, numbering plates are at the discretion of house owners, giving you a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing your address sign.
Number Marking and History
The history of address numbering in the US is a fascinating story. Many cities and civic groups have worked to improve their street name and numbering schemes over the years.
Boston was one of the first cities to make changes, doing so in 1879. Chicago followed suit in 1895, and Nashville made improvements in 1940.
The street grid system of New York City, with its numbered streets and avenues, dates back to the Commissioners' Plan of 1811.
Marking of Numbers

Address numbers can be engraved on fanlights in front doors, a practice that dates back to the 1720s in the UK.
In the UK, house owners have the discretion to choose the type of numbering plate or sign that suits their property, with options including acrylic, aluminium, or glass, ceramic, brass, slate, or stone.
The height of address numbers can vary, but in some places, they must be a minimum of 12 inches in height for construction projects, and at least 5 inches high for permanent address numbers.
The placement of address numbers is crucial, as they should be plainly visible and legible from the street, road, fire lane, or other right-of-way or easement fronting the structure.
In some communities, the starting point for the numbering system is defined by a municipal or county boundary, a physical barrier, or a defined intersection near the center of the municipality.
Temporary address numbers for construction projects must be weather resistant and maintained until replaced with permanent address numbers, which should be a minimum of 5 inches high and no less than a 1/2 inch stroke.
History of US Address Numbering

The history of US address numbering is a fascinating story that spans centuries. Boston implemented a new street name and numbering scheme in 1879, followed by Chicago in 1895 and Nashville in 1940.
One of the most iconic address systems in the US is the grid system of New York City, which was attributed to the Commissioners' Plan of 1811. This system has been in place for over two centuries.
Edward P. Brennan in Chicago worked tirelessly for 8 years to create a proposal to improve the street name and addressing system, which was largely approved in 1909. His efforts paid off, increasing the efficiency of the system.
In Hollywood, Florida, Benjamin Israel spent two and a half years to change three street names in the historic black district of Liberia, replacing names of Confederate soldiers with more uplifting names like Liberty Street and Freedom Street. The cost of the change was $20,000, supplied by a local business owner.
There are places in West Virginia that didn't have named streets or addresses until at least 2013, when Verizon agreed to supply $15 million to create 450,000 new street addresses. This effort was a response to Verizon's price inflation scandal in 2002.
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