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Need advice: choosing matching address plaques for all homes in HOA

9 days ago
last modified: 9 days ago

Our townhouse community’s HOA is replacing our address plaques, and I’ve been tasked with identifying options. Problem: they all have to match, and the houses are varied colors. What is the safest route?

The HOA president showed a couple of examples that were white with black border and numbers. I haven’t asked yet if that is required or if he just assumed it is the most neutral. If there is an alternative that might look better for everyone, I’d like to present it.

Please share ideas for color, material and style…some info for context.

The houses:

  • Townhouses built in mid-1980s, somewhat traditional style but exteriors all completely redone and some of the more dated elements were removed (e.g. pseudo colonial deco above front doors)
  • Houses with Hardie plank siding alternate with brick, all have shutters
  • Most with siding are shades of Hardie gray (mid to very light) + one each olive green, tan-beige, pale goldenrod-stucco
  • Trim: White or off-white (Hardie ‘Cobblestone’)

Material: The ones the HOA prez had for consideration were printed on glittery reflective material like street signs, which the homeowners present didn’t favor for our small residential community. It looked more like public wayfinding signage than residential home exterior. (I had resale value in the back of my head, and a realtor acquaintance who said details matter.)


I’ve been looking at aluminum, but saw some synthetic material that was carved and seemed to simulate wood, or at least had texture.


Constraints:

  • Not wood
  • No drilling—Signs will be mounted with adhesive, so preference for no holes
  • Most units will have horizontal, but Strong preference for a style with vertical option (or easily compatible—2 houses have different orientation towards street)
  • Each address number includes a letter, e.g., 712 D
  • 6” max height
  • Budget ($50 max)

What to do? The board is antsy to see alternatives…

Comments (32)

  • PRO
    9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    Use black roman numerals on a white background.






    (I do not like HOAs)

  • 9 days ago

    If you mean individual numbers, it occurred to me that numbers vs plaques would be more forgiving. (?) I doubt that they would go for it because it would mean a lot of measuring, and big margin for error.

  • 9 days ago

    Love that! Ha!

  • PRO
    9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    just do the numerals like these. simple. plaques can be either direction, on whatever color background accents the house color. wood is also an option











    scrap pieces of wood, stained and sealed. simple numbers screwed on. you can hang these or screw them into the home. many options.


  • 9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    Offer multiple options and allow each home owner to choose the option they prefer. If they don't care you get to choose.

  • PRO
    9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    lol. I can see the young delivery drivers having to google what these letters stand for. they don't teach roman numerals anymore. Everyone's package gonna get thrown on the driveways of whichever unit is closest.

  • 9 days ago

    They all have to be the same and the budget is $50? They will all look cheap.

  • 9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    yes, they all have to be the same. @Beth H: Thats why the request for advice on color.


    Max $50 each, not total. :)

  • 9 days ago

    I would use letters and number such as these: 5" black, aluminum; $6 each. Black should provide adequate contrast against the various wall colors. I would screw them to the plank or brick wall, though you could also attach them to a board and attach the board to the wall. I would place them in the same location on each house so that visitors don't have to search all over the front of the houses to find the numbers.

  • PRO
    8 days ago

    How I hate HOAs .

  • 8 days ago

    Talk about living in Stepford Wives World. I'd tell the HOA to.....oh.....you know......

  • PRO
    8 days ago

    The reflective simple option presented by the HOA president is 100% the best choice. They have to be easily readable to any delivery drivers, not just aesthetically pleasing to the occupants. That's the primary purpose of numbers after all. You want the fire truck to show up to the right unit when someone has a grease fire.

  • 8 days ago

    I'd engage an Etsy seller for something "custom" but affordable.


    Like this seller perhaps:


    https://www.etsy.com/shop/CurbImpressions?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1673664233&from_page=listing&page=3#items



    This could meet the requirement for no drilling, consistency and also something a little "different" than looking like a street sign stuck to your house. (although with some of the limitations - they are not going to be super high end...)


    Or - someone that can 3D print a black / metallic looking sign.


    I think you want a plaque vs individual numbers - the numbers really need drilling and standoffs and templates. That does not sound like it's in the scope of the project.


  • 8 days ago
    last modified: 8 days ago

    If you want something that can be seen at night, you could consider something like these solar house numbers. I've never used them so can't vouch for the longevity or quality. However I had backlit numbers at my old house that I loved because everyone could find my house at night. (The kind I had wouldn't fit your qualifications for no drill / budget.)

    Link


    That's obviously horizontal and requires some sunlight. There are vertical options on stakes like this one, but you risk becoming the least popular person in the HOA.

    This is a tough one, because I doubt there's one solution that will make everyone happy. Is putting something on a mailbox possible? Are the mailboxes at the street or by the front doors? People might be less salty about the aesthetics of something on their mailbox than their home.

  • 8 days ago
    last modified: 8 days ago

    I think it will be difficult to find something that is adequately visible to visitors — and more importantly, as Rainbow Colors has pointed out — emergency services, and also attractive and easy to read at a distance and at speed, and also complying with all the other restrictions you've been given, and within the maximum price you've been given.

    My advice: Do some research, show them what matching their criteria will really cost including shipping and installation labor. Conclusion: The choice is the "glittery" one the HOA president showed, or the maximum price must be at least doubled. Once you've done your research, you'll be able to give them a realistic budget.

    https://www.mailboxworks.com/type/address-plaques-and-house-numbers/house-numbers-letters/?srsltid=AfmBOopIid8L7qX1ucKnipJApGF89c94CY_vWd-Pm1P6PYBTXCR1xL31

    https://www.modernhousenumbers.com

    https://dropcapstudio.com

    https://www.rockymountainhardware.com/product-category/products/home-accessories/numbers-and-letters/

    https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/shop-by-type/vintage-home-accessories/porch-accessories-entry-hardware/house-address-numbers-letters?srsltid=AfmBOoox8-Fs8YbUX8b72-JoNABiwpFNvx7GG69i_Zdg9CqVgGlb4Qu8

    https://www.impactsigns.com/sign-letters/house-address-numbers/?srsltid=AfmBOornvWj8xClGGxKvVskEg5R7BxCT8r2_PBmNA9YdJzHXN6mViYhe

    FWIW, the cheapest items I've found are here (and IMO they look cheap, too): https://www.factorydirecthardware.com/house-numbers/better-home-products-651bk-4-die-cast-number-1.html

  • 8 days ago

    I just knew this post would trigger the HOA haters. 😂 So predictable

  • 8 days ago

    Yep because some of these HOA rules are so ridiculous that they take away any pleasure you might have in your home Go laugh elsewhere K.

  • 8 days ago
    last modified: 8 days ago

    @Kate Cowers ….. Thank you. As I’ve said, sometimes I wish people could drink their own words, then maybe they’d realize how bitter they sound …..

    Btw, no one forces anyone to buy into an HOA community…. My home isn’t, but some people like them, it it’s an individual’s choice.

  • 8 days ago

    Make sure the font chosen is simple and the numbers are reflective so they are visible at night.

    You should post a few pictures as the style of the homes may dictate some good options.

  • PRO
    8 days ago

    What's the style of the homes? Everything that has been posted looks very spare and modern. I personally think black and gold look great, and you can get them in both traditional and modern styles:




    You can probably get them at a discount since you're buying in bulk.


  • 7 days ago

    Not bitter,. K. Just stating factors well known in general. Have never lived in an HOA community and never will. You're right.....total choice.

  • PRO
    7 days ago

    First a house number needs to be readable from the street and 6" high does not sound good to me. Backlit would be awesome but readability is a must Maybe post a pic of the street with some homes to give us some context. HOA or not we need context. I hate when I go looking for an address and the numbers are so small you need to walk up to houses to read them Style can be anything but as in many things function first.

  • 7 days ago

    @Patricia Colwell Consulting wrote: "I hate when I go looking for an address and the numbers are so small you need to walk up to houses to read them."


    Walking up to houses to read the numbers is unfortunately a very risky thing to do in the US today. You can get yourself killed that way. Make the numbers big enough to read from the street.

  • 7 days ago

    amystoller: "Walking up to houses to read the numbers is unfortunately a very risky thing to do in the US today. You can get yourself killed that way."

    Too much time on social media.

  • 7 days ago

    @wdccruise, I'm not on social media, and you have no basis for your condescension. You don't have to like the situation; I don't like it myself. That doesn't mean my concerns aren't justified.

  • 7 days ago

    amystoller: "That doesn't mean my concerns aren't justified."

    I saw that your recommended someone shop at Pottery Barn and West Elm. It doesn't appear that you're living in Port-au-Prince, maybe just Paranoia-au-Prince.

  • 7 days ago

    Most residents may not shoot those who may appear to be trespassers, but some have dangerous animals. Plus, the Amazon drivers might go ballistic and start shooting up the place if they can’t read the house numbers from the street. These Amazon people are under a lot of pressure.


  • 7 days ago

    Or- at the very least, people may not get their Amazon deliveries, etc., if delivery people can’t read the numbers.


    I get a lot of deliveries from Amazon. Sometimes, I get a text in advance letting me know the driver is on their way, etc. And it’s a standard text that requests that customer ”turn on lights, secure animals”. Some people may secure their animals and some may not- even when asked to do so. And these drivers are going into a potential situation whenever they have to walk up to random houses to read the house numbers.


  • 6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    Mapping software will drive my Tesla with fsd right into the driveway without looking at a house number I think Amazon would be able to do even better. My full support goes to the protection of rights and individual freedoms by passing legislation requiring the same 2/3rds super majority to continue an HOA in a yearly vote by all the current owners.

    As a constitutional amendment.

  • 6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    It is a best case scenario when delivery people can see house/building numbers from the street...


    I live in a townhouse in NYC. There are times when the Amazon driver making a delivery to me is on foot- because they had to park down the street and or he has a lot of deliveries on the block, etc.


    They have to get out of the car.


  • 6 days ago

    You may find you are constrained in your choices when letters are involved. We found this to be true when we shopped for my daughter’s Victorian house numbers. She has an apartment over the garage. My husband made the wooden plaques in his workshop, and then attached the numbers and letter that we ordered through the cabinet hardware store.
    We live in a marine climate, so had to make sure the hardware was aluminum, to slow the deterioration.