Monlyey 3" 4" 5" 6" 8" Metal House Numbers, House Address Letters and Numbers for Outside Signs, Metal Letters Door Numbers Signage Street Address Plaque for Garden Door Mailbox Decor

Why this simple upgrade worked on my home

I didn’t set out to obsess over a house number, but a recent exterior refresh made my existing stickers look out of place and hard to spot. I wanted something that felt substantial, read cleanly from the street, and would survive sun and storms without fading or peeling. I chose the Monlyey metal number in a 4-inch size (mine’s the “2” in black), and after installing and living with it for several months, I’m convinced this kind of small hardware swap can make a big difference.

Design and build quality

The Monlyey number is cut from steel and finished in a matte black coating. The face reads crisp and modern without being trendy, and the edges are smooth with no burrs. It’s a flush-mount design—no standoffs or “floating” hardware—which worked well for my door and mailbox since I wanted a low-profile look.

In hand, the piece feels solid. There’s no flex or rattle, and the surface coating is even with no drips or thin spots. That coating matters more than most people realize: steel will corrode if exposed, so a consistent, well-adhered finish is essential. After months outdoors (full sun, a few heavy rains, and some wind-driven grit), the black is still uniform and the sheen hasn’t chalked or turned gray.

Visibility and legibility

Size is where you need to be honest about your placement. At 4 inches, the number reads clearly up close on a front door or mailbox, and it looks proportionate on narrower trim. From curb distance on a wide setback, though, 4 inches can be too subtle. On my street, the 4-inch size is legible from across a typical two-lane road, but if you have a deeper front yard or your address is critical for deliveries after dark, I’d step up to 6–8 inches for primary house placement and reserve the 4-inch for mailboxes or secondary markers.

Typeface-wise, the Monlyey line strikes a nice balance: clean enough to read quickly, but not so wide that it looks bulky. The black finish provides strong contrast on light backgrounds (stucco, white or tan paint), and it still holds its own on darker stains because the matte surface cuts glare.

Installation: straightforward with a few pro tips

Out of the box, you get mounting screws that match the finish. For wood doors and trim, installation is about as easy as it gets:

• Use a small pilot bit sized for your screws (I used 1/16–3/32 inch for softwood).
• Mark your hole locations with painter’s tape before drilling; it helps keep the bit from walking and protects the finish.
• Hand-tighten the screws the last few turns to avoid crushing the coating.

For masonry and stucco, plan on using anchors. Mine did not include masonry anchors, so I supplied my own nylon anchors sized to the screws. A few notes from mounting to stucco:

• Use a masonry bit to match your anchor size (often around 3/16 inch for small anchors).
• Drill on low speed; let the bit do the work to avoid chipping the finish around the hole.
• Add a small dab of exterior-grade silicone into the hole before pushing in the anchor. It helps seal against moisture and adds a touch of vibration resistance.

For metal mailboxes, I used a tiny pilot hole and stainless self-tapping screws to avoid rust from mixed metals. If you’re unsure, stick with the included screws on wood and get appropriate anchors or self-tappers for other surfaces.

There’s no included template, so I made a quick one: trace the number onto a piece of cardstock, poke holes where the screws go, tape the template in place, and use it to mark your drill points. It takes two minutes and gives you perfect alignment.

Durability in weather

I put this number through a typical mixed season—hot sun, rain, and a week of dusty wind. The coating hasn’t faded or peeled, and there’s no sign of rust bleeding around the screw holes. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth brings it back to looking new. If you live in a coastal environment, I’d still recommend sealing the screw heads with a tiny bead of clear exterior sealant and avoiding scratches during installation, since steel will rust if the coating is compromised. But for inland weather, the factory finish is holding up impressively.

Where it fits best

• Front doors and trim: The 4-inch size looks refined without overpowering narrow rails and stiles.
• Mailboxes: Ideal. It reads well at road distance and pairs cleanly with most mailbox styles.
• Fences and gates: Works, though in my testing a 6–8-inch number provides better drive-by legibility.
• Multi-unit or office entries: The understated finish fits both traditional and modern façades.

What I liked

• Solid, premium feel: The steel construction and smooth edges make it feel like proper hardware, not décor.
• Clean, timeless look: The matte black reads as architectural rather than flashy.
• Easy installation: With basic pilots and the included screws, mounting took minutes on wood and just a bit more prep for stucco.
• Weather-ready finish: No fading or rust marks so far, even around fasteners.

What could be improved

• Anchors in the box: Including a couple of masonry anchors would make the kit truly plug-and-play for stucco and brick.
• Template: A simple paper drilling guide would help ensure perfect alignment, especially for multi-digit layouts.
• Size guidance: A quick visibility chart (distance vs. number height) on the packaging would help buyers choose the right size for their setback.

Practical tips for a clean result

• Plan your layout: Dry-fit the number with painter’s tape to confirm spacing and angle, especially if you’re mixing letters and numbers.
• Mind the background: Black looks best against light or mid-tone surfaces. For dark siding or stained wood, consider adding a small backer plate for contrast.
• Protect the coating: Use a hand screwdriver for final tightening to avoid scuffing the finish with a drill chuck.
• Seal exterior holes: A tiny bead of clear sealant under the screw head helps prevent water intrusion on wood and stucco.

Value and alternatives

Against stick-on vinyl or thin plastic numbers, the Monlyey metal number is a substantial upgrade in both look and longevity. Compared to pricier die-cast options, it hits a satisfying middle ground: premium feel without the boutique price. It doesn’t offer floating standoffs or backlit features, so if you need nighttime visibility without additional lighting, a reflective or illuminated option might be better. For most homes with adequate porch lighting, though, the matte black finish is plenty visible.

The bottom line

The Monlyey metal number does the quiet, important work of making your address readable while elevating the overall look of your entry. It’s sturdy, thoughtfully finished, and easy to install on a variety of surfaces with basic tools. The 4-inch size shines on doors and mailboxes; for primary façade placement, I’d step up to a larger height. My only real wish is for a couple of masonry anchors and a paper template in the package to simplify multi-surface installs.

Recommendation: I recommend the Monlyey metal number. It delivers clean design, durable materials, and straightforward installation at a fair price. Choose your size based on viewing distance, use proper anchors for masonry, and you’ll have an address marker that looks sharp for years without asking for attention or maintenance.