There are so many things you can change to jazz up the front of your house, but your house number isn’t one of them…right? Wrong! While we’d advise keeping the actual number the same – so you continue to get mail – you can get as creative as you like with your house number sign.
WATCH: Adam makes a DIY house number planter
Anyone can plonk a number on their house, but with just a few hours of effort, you can make yours a real eye-catcher, combining the interesting foliage of succulents with the natural beauty of timber. We used an Australian timber called karri, which has a light swirling grain, but you can use any wide hardwood decking your can get your hands on.
Easy steps to make a house number planter
Gather your supplies
- 135 c 20mm x 3m karri decking
- House numbers
- Respect 35cm charcoal planter trough
- Array of succulents
You’ll also need
- Mitre saw
- Drill driver
- Countersinking drill bit
- Exterior PVA glue
- 30 and 50mm galvanised screws
- 2mm drill bit
- 50mm nails
- Hammer
- Nail punch
- Wood putty
- 50 x 50 x 40mm galvanised angle brackets (4)
- 18mm pan head screws
- Sander
- Decking stain in Natural
- Painting equipment
- Fixing to suit house wall
- Cacti and succulent potting mix
Components
Cleats
250 x 135 x 20mm (2)
Backing boards
635 x 135 x 20mm karri decking (2)
Sides
145 x 135 x 20mm (2)
Front
395 x 135 x 20mm (1)
Split batten
260 x 135 x 20mm (1)
Step 1
Cut components from karri decking with a mitre saw. Cut one end of the cleats on a 45 degree angle through the timber. Placed at the top, the angle on this piece will let the cleat shed water if it gets wet.
Step 2
Use a counter-sinking drill bit to drill screw holes through the cleats to attach them to the backing boards. Allow at least 3 holes per board on each cleat, staggering the screws.
Step 3
Spread exterior glue on cleats and sit on backing boards about 50mm from ends. Predrill through countersunk holes in cleats into backing boards, then screw together using 30mm screws.
Step 4
Spread glue on ends of sides and butt into front flush with the end. Predrill through front into sides using a 2mm drill bit. Nail through the pilot holes using 50mm nails.
Step 5
Use a nail punch to drive heads of nails just below surface of the timber.
Step 6
Fill nail holes using putty to match timber. As karri doesn’t have a ready match, jarrah and white were mixed here for colour. Fill nail holes and let dry.
Step 7
Attach angle brackets to inside of front. Make angles about 90mm from each end and 4mm from bottom edge. Predrill and screw using 18mm pan head screws. Also attach brackets to front of lower backing board where planter will sit.
Step 8
Hold front and side assembly against backing board and mark where sides will sit. Predrill holes through backing board, doing 3 holes per side. Spread glue on ends of sides and screw to backing board using 50mm screws.
Step 9
Use sander to sand whole planter and backing board smooth. Remove dust, then apply 2 coats of decking stain. Let dry and sand lightly after each coat.
Step 10
Predrill backing board and attach house number to board.
Step 11
Cut split batten board in half lengthways with saw on a 45 degree angle, cutting through the timber. Screw 1 half of split batten to unit with angled cut facing the board and at the bottom of the batten. Screw other half to house with fixings to suit the wall, with the angled cut facing the wall and at top of the batten. The height should suit batten on planter. Lift planter onto wall and slide down so battens interlock.
Step 12
Plant out trough with succulents using cacti and succulent potting mix. Sit trough on brackets in planter box.
For more amazing DIY projects, pick up a copy of the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine in selected newsagents and supermarkets or buy online today!
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