Your house address numerals help first responders find you quickly, guide guests using GPS, and shape the first impression buyers have of your property.
In New England, where winding roads, snowbanks, and tall trees are common, visible numbers are essential.
This guide walks you through how to choose the right style, size, and location for house address numerals so your home stands out for all the right reasons.
What Counts as Visible?
Local regulations vary, but most safety codes require numbers to be at least 3 to 6 inches tall, clearly visible from the street, and in a color that contrasts with the background. Emergency crews often recommend reflective or backlit options for nighttime visibility.
If your home sits more than 50 feet from the road, you should also place a second set of numbers on a post or mailbox near the curb for added visibility.
Choosing Numerals
Material
- Metal (aluminum, brass, stainless) offers long-lasting durability and resists rust.
- Acrylic or PVC is budget-friendly and comes in a variety of colors.
- Wood has a warm, classic look but needs sealing to hold up outdoors.
Finish
Choose a matte or brushed finish to reduce glare from headlights and sunlight. High-shine chrome may look sharp up close but often becomes unreadable from the street.
Font and Style
Stick with bold, simple fonts for easy reading. Avoid cursive or decorative fonts that can be hard to decipher from a distance.
Color Contrast
High contrast makes all the difference. Use dark numbers on light-colored homes or siding, and light numbers on darker backgrounds.
For brick houses, black or white numerals usually provide the best visibility.
Sizing Rules for Keeping Compliant
| Distance from Curb | Minimum Height | Best Practice |
| Under 25 ft | 4 in | Use 5 in if trees or porch railings block the view |
| 25–50 ft | 6 in | Consider 8 in to improve visibility during winter |
| 50 ft + | 8 in | Add a second set of numbers at the road or driveway entrance |
Quick test: Stand in the middle of the street. If you have to squint to read your house numbers, they need to be bigger or better placed.
Where to Place House Address Numerals
- Front of the house near the door is usually best. Install numbers at eye level so they’re easy to see from the road.
- Above the garage can work well if the driveway faces the street and there’s enough light.
- Mailbox post is a smart option, especially if the house sits back from the road. Be sure to add numbers on both sides so they’re visible in both directions.
- Driveway marker is ideal for homes tucked behind trees or hills. A sturdy post with large, reflective numbers ensures you’re not overlooked.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Hiding numbers behind bushes, shutters, or hanging plants
- Mounting them on a gate that stays open and hides the view
- Placing them too high where shadows fall across them
Installation Tips
Tools you’ll need: cordless drill, level, painter’s tape, outdoor-rated screws, and possibly a masonry bit for brick or stone surfaces.
- Measure and mark your placement using painter’s tape to ensure a straight line.
- Pre-drill holes to avoid cracking the material.
- Use spacers or standoffs (often included in the kit) to raise the numbers off the wall slightly. This reduces shadowing and improves readability.
- Add a small amount of silicone sealant to the holes to prevent moisture from getting behind the numbers.
- Install lighting above or below the numbers. Solar or dusk-to-dawn LED lights make your numbers readable at night with little maintenance.
Other Recommended Maintenance
- Trim back any landscaping that could cover your numbers throughout the year.
- Clean siding and numerals with mild soap at least once a year to keep contrast strong.
- Check porch and exterior lighting in the fall to prepare for shorter days.
- Re-seal wood numerals every couple of years to prevent fading and rot.
When to Call a Professional
What looks like a simple job can turn tricky fast if you run into masonry, electrical wiring, or height issues. Call a pro if:
- Your siding is brick, stone, or stucco and you don’t have the right tools
- You want to add wired lighting but aren’t familiar with electrical safety
- Your current address numbers are installed in a hard-to-reach place
- You’re preparing to list your home and want to meet all inspection standards
At Alpha Building Inspections, we help homeowners catch the small exterior details that often get overlooked. During a pre-listing or routine inspection, we’ll let you know if your address numerals meet visibility standards or if a quick fix could improve safety and curb appeal.
Conclusion
House address numerals are easy to overlook, but they make a big difference in emergencies and first impressions.
Choose clean, high-contrast numbers, place them where people can actually see them, and keep them maintained throughout the seasons.
Not sure if your setup checks all the boxes? Schedule with Alpha Building Inspections today. We’ll help you see your home the way buyers, appraisers, and first responders do: clearly and safely.
