House Number Sign

Directions

Step 1: Make the Cuts

• Cut the 3/4" plywood to the size you need depending on the number of digits in your house number. I have four digits so I used 8” x 24”
  • You could also use 1/2" plywood for this but I wanted the trim to be flush with my sign, so the numbers stood out.
• Set your Miter saw at 45 degrees and cut pieces of the 1 x 3 boards into planks. Make sure to dry-fit to make sure they are slightly larger than needed.
• Cut 1 x 2 boards to the size needed to trim out the 3/4" plywood.

Step 2: Mark Location of Planks

• Dry fit the mitered planks and mark location of each plank and what shade you want it to be. I decided on dark, medium and light.

Step 3: Torch the Wood

• Lay the wood pieces on a concrete surface outdoors in the order you want them darkened.
• Using the Bernzomatic BZ4500HS Heat Shrink Torch and the propane fuel cylinder, patina each piece of wood.
  Tip - Keep the Torch moving slowly across the surface for a uniform look.
• The number of passes will determine how dark the wood gets.
  • I found that I needed at least 5 passes to get the darkest tone I wanted.
  • The medium tone wood got 3 passes
  • The light tone wood got 2 passes
  Tip - Be sure to sand between each pass to make sure the surface is as smooth as you can get.

Step 4: Assemble Sign

• Attach the wood burned pieces to the plywood using wood glue and finish nails. Be sure to keep 2 sides completely aligned.
• Cut off extra parts of the planks using a miter saw, table saw or circular saw.
  • I used a miter saw for the short side and a table saw for the long side.

Step 5: Attach Trim

• Patina the trim 1x2 pieces to the desired tone. I went for the darkest color and gave it 6 passes. Remember to sand between passes!
• Attach the trim all around using wood glue and finish nails.

Step 6: Seal the Sign

• Spray a few coats of clear coat sealer on the sign to protect the charred wood.
  • I used an outdoor matte clear coat.

Step 7: Attach Numbers

• Using the template and instructions that came with the house numbers, attach them to the sign.
  • I felt like the silver didn't stand out against the background, so I spray painted them white.

Step 8: Hang it Up

• Add two keyhole hangers to back in a straight line.
• Hang the sign up on the wall using appropriate screws and anchors for the wall.