Rendering a Gold Leaf House Address on Site
Designs & Signs in Edgewater, Maryland, created and installed this gold leaf house address in Washington, DC. Transoms are often large and let in plenty of natural light. This transom above the entry door, however, was short and narrow. That small size made the exact placement of the address especially important.
The History of Gilding
Gilding is the art of covering a surface with a thin layer of gold or another metal. People have gilded objects for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians were skilled gilders, and thin gold leaf still shines on their royal mummy cases and furniture in museums. The Chinese decorated wood, pottery, and textiles with gold designs for centuries. The Greeks gilded wood, masonry, and marble sculptures. The Romans then learned the art from the Greeks and used it to brighten their temples and palaces.
Source: Britannica: Gilding
How We Gild Glass
The same basic steps apply to every gold leaf house address. First, we prepare the surface, so we always clean the glass thoroughly. Next, we apply the design to the glass. Then we lay the gold, and we have to work quickly at this stage. Finally, we add backup paint and a clean outline, which gives the finished address its polished look.
More Gold Leaf House Address Projects
See more of our glass gilding:
- Gilded Address in Washington, DC – 1645
- House Numbers – 1363
- Transom Numbers – 1110
- Golden House Numbers
- Gold Address Numbers – 1204
- Glass Gilding – Cafe Normandie
- Gold Leaf House Numbers – 5328 Sample
Contact Designs & Signs
The quickest way to get started on your project is to send us an email.
We can also be reached by phone at (410) 798-5115.