Metal Address Sign Installation Guide
Installation guide · Metal address signs
Hang it like a pro in about 20 minutes
Your sign is laser cut from 18-gauge steel and powder coated for the outdoors. The mounting holes are pre-cut and sized for your sign. Pick the screws for your wall, add spacers for that floating look, and you're done.
1. Find your size
12" signs
#6 screws
4 mm holes · ½" spacers
14" & 18" signs
#8 screws
5 mm holes · ½" spacers
24", 30" & 36" signs
#10 screws
6 mm holes · ¾"–1" spacers
12" and 14" signs hang well on their two main holes. From 18" up, use every mounting hole on your sign.
2. Float it with spacers
Why we love spacers
- The sign floats off the wall and casts a crisp shadow, so it looks custom-built.
- Rain drains behind it, so no water sits against the steel.
- Uneven brick or stone? Spacers let the sign sit straight anyway.
Use round aluminum, stainless or black nylon spacers (unthreaded) with a hole that fits your screw. Use ½" spacers for 12"–18" signs and ¾"–1" spacers for 24" and up.
3. Choose the right hardware
Pan or truss head ✓
Head covers the hole
Washer head ✓
Extra grip, great outdoors
Flat / countersunk ✗
Pulls through the hole
Nylon washer ✓
Protects the finish
Plastic anchor
Brick, stucco, drywall
Concrete screw
e.g. 3/16" Tapcon, large signs on masonry
Outdoors, choose stainless steel or exterior-coated screws (316 stainless near the coast) so rust never streaks your sign.
4. Screws for your wall, with or without spacers
| Your surface | Fixing | Screw length: no spacer | With ½" spacers | With 1" spacers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood: siding, trim, fence, post | Exterior wood screws, small pilot hole | 1¼" | 1¾" | 2¼" |
| Vinyl or aluminum siding | Screw through into sheathing or a stud; leave each screw 1/32" loose so siding can move | 1½"–2" | 2"–2½" | 2½"–3" |
| Brick (drill the mortar joint) | Plastic anchor + screw, or 3/16" concrete screw on 24"+ | 1¼" | 1¾" | 2¼" |
| Stone, concrete, block | Plastic anchor + screw, or 3/16" concrete screw | 1¼" | 1¾" | 2¼" |
| Stucco | Masonry bit, anchor or concrete screw; seal the hole with silicone. Foam stucco (EIFS) needs EIFS anchors. | 1½" | 2" | 2½" |
| Metal post or metal siding | Stainless self-drilling sheet-metal screws, or bolts with lock nuts | ¾" | 1¼" | 1¾" |
| Iron or chain-link fence, railing | Stainless bolts with large washers, or UV-rated cable ties. No drilling needed. | Bolt length = fence bar + spacer + ½" | ||
| Indoors: drywall, plaster | Screw into a stud, or drywall anchors | 1¼" | 1¾" | 2¼" |
Screw diameter: #6 for 12", #8 for 14"–18", #10 for 24" and up.
5. Install in 7 steps
1
Pick the spot. Easy to read from the street. Check for wiring, pipes and gas lines behind the wall.
2
Tape & level. Hold it up with painter's tape, check it from the street, then level it.
3
Mark. Pencil a mark through each mounting hole you'll use (see step 1).
4
Drill. Pilot holes for wood and metal; anchor holes for masonry and drywall (hammer drill for masonry).
5
Anchors. Tap them in flush if your wall needs them.
6
Fix it. Screw → washer → sign → spacer → wall. Start every screw loosely, level again, then snug. Don't overtighten.
7
Admire it. Give it a gentle push to check it's solid, then step back to the street.
Good to know
- 12"–18" is a one-person job. 24" is easier with a helper. 30"–36": two people and a stable ladder; fix the lowest holes first, then the rest while your helper holds the sign flat.
- On siding, large signs sit best on a mounting block. On fences, screw into posts or rails, not thin boards.
- Pick the right wall: Black, Copper and Red pop on light walls; White and Silver on dark walls, brick and stone.
- Check your local rules: many towns ask for house numbers at least 4" tall that are easy to read from the street. For 4" numbers, choose 24" or larger (30" for 4-digit numbers on some designs).
- HOA or town approval: some HOAs and towns limit house sign size (a few cap it at 1–2 sq ft) or ask to see the design first. Send them your preview from the product page before you order.
- Care: once a year, check the screws are snug and wipe with mild soapy water. No abrasive cleaners or pressure washers.
Not sure what to buy?
Send us a photo of your wall and we'll tell you exactly which screws, anchors and spacers to get.