I don't really know which category my question belongs to so I'm trying here. 
I want to write our house number on the facade using letters. At first, I started cutting out the letters from a thinner sheet metal, but it became so complicated to get it how I want it, so I thought it might be easier to make them in wood instead.
What type of wood should I use for this purpose? Can I use MDF, which I then paint and varnish with, for example, boat varnish?
There will be no roof over the text, so it will be exposed to both weather and wind.
Grateful for all the help I can get!
Best regards, Anna
I want to write our house number on the facade using letters. At first, I started cutting out the letters from a thinner sheet metal, but it became so complicated to get it how I want it, so I thought it might be easier to make them in wood instead.
What type of wood should I use for this purpose? Can I use MDF, which I then paint and varnish with, for example, boat varnish?
There will be no roof over the text, so it will be exposed to both weather and wind.
Grateful for all the help I can get!
Best regards, Anna
As a former sign maker, I recommend getting a so-called foamed PVC board. Available in different thicknesses 1,2,3,4,5 mm and the size of the board is a maximum of 1220x2440 mm. The board is standard in white but also available in other colors.
If you find a color that suits you, you can cut out the number directly with a knife without needing to paint it. You don't need to worry about moisture or wind, as long as you anchor it well.
Turn to a local sign maker or supplier and you'll likely be able to buy the board directly.
Good luck!
If you find a color that suits you, you can cut out the number directly with a knife without needing to paint it. You don't need to worry about moisture or wind, as long as you anchor it well.
Turn to a local sign maker or supplier and you'll likely be able to buy the board directly.
Good luck!
Plastic was a material I hadn't thought of, thanks for the tip!
How do I get the edges nice if I use such a sheet? I guess I can't cut out the letters with a knife if I want some thickness to get a bit of a 3D effect? Won't the edges get jagged if I use a saw?
Regardless of the material I use - how do I attach the letters with a spacer to the wall without the screw holes showing from the front?
Thanks for all the answers!
How do I get the edges nice if I use such a sheet? I guess I can't cut out the letters with a knife if I want some thickness to get a bit of a 3D effect? Won't the edges get jagged if I use a saw?
Regardless of the material I use - how do I attach the letters with a spacer to the wall without the screw holes showing from the front?
Thanks for all the answers!
An experienced sign maker can hand-cut the number/letter with sharp edges. Get a Stanley utility knife holder with standard blades (not utility knife blades) = about 150 SEK at Bauhaus.
Draw the outline on the plastic sheet. Lightly trace the outline with the knife blade to create a small groove. Continue cutting a bit harder over several passes until you’re through. The important thing is to follow the contour on the first pass without straying too much. It’s also easy to slip, so be careful.
Then drill holes in the plastic sheet with a drill where you feel it’s appropriate to mount it on the facade. For spacers, you can buy rubber spacers at Bauhaus (if I’m not mistaken, they can be found in the boat department and come in various dimensions).
You can cover the screw heads with a plastic cap (available in white, black, brown, and beige). If those colors don’t match, let the screw heads show instead; stainless can look nice.
There are other ways too, but this works very well and is as cheap as it gets.
Draw the outline on the plastic sheet. Lightly trace the outline with the knife blade to create a small groove. Continue cutting a bit harder over several passes until you’re through. The important thing is to follow the contour on the first pass without straying too much. It’s also easy to slip, so be careful.
Then drill holes in the plastic sheet with a drill where you feel it’s appropriate to mount it on the facade. For spacers, you can buy rubber spacers at Bauhaus (if I’m not mistaken, they can be found in the boat department and come in various dimensions).
You can cover the screw heads with a plastic cap (available in white, black, brown, and beige). If those colors don’t match, let the screw heads show instead; stainless can look nice.
There are other ways too, but this works very well and is as cheap as it gets.
I made a thicker version that turned out really nice as it became three-dimensional. Bought a sheet of blue 50mm hard foam from the hardware store and cut out the letters "fem" using a hot wire cutter from Clas Ohlsson. Painted with regular plastic paint and glued the letters onto the facade.
One should be aware that signs over a certain size normally require a building permit (sign permit). In Stockholm city, 0.5 sqm is considered the limit. This obviously varies from municipality to municipality.
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Unfortunately, I don't have a picture, and I made the letters for a relative in Sundvall.
To FabrikörStava: maybe it would be an idea to make large letters and mount them on the roof ;-))))
Apparently, they have stopped selling the filament cutter at Clas.
But you can make one with tanthaltråd http://www.clasohlson.se/Product/Product2.aspx?id=315189 and a 9 or 12-volt battery or a battery charger. You can make the holder for the wire from an old jigsaw or something similar.
To FabrikörStava: maybe it would be an idea to make large letters and mount them on the roof ;-))))
Apparently, they have stopped selling the filament cutter at Clas.
But you can make one with tanthaltråd http://www.clasohlson.se/Product/Product2.aspx?id=315189 and a 9 or 12-volt battery or a battery charger. You can make the holder for the wire from an old jigsaw or something similar.
We bought our letters for our number at the village. They were about 15 cm high in metal and work perfectly on the facade!