Making an Address Tile Frame

My problem: I was given address tiles as a gift a year or so ago and didn't have a clue as to what to do with them. Could I build a frame for them?

Brainstorm: I decided to research how others had built frames and what materials they used.

PLAN:
Step One: I lined up the 4 address tiles and measured their height and width.
                 -Height = 5 3/4 inches
                 -Width = 16 3/4 inches

 Step Two: I cut a 1x2 board (from Home Depot) into 2 (16 3/4 inches) boards & 2 (5 3/4 inches) boards, with all of them having 45 degree cuts made on both ends, using a miter saw.

Step 3: I attached all the cuts together to make a frame screwing L brackets down to each corner to hold the frame together.




Step 4: I then attached a piece of plywood to the back of the frame to hold the address tiles using a wood screws.

Step 5: I stained the frame with wood stainer (cherry brown color) and waited for it to dry over night.


**After Step 5, I realized the tiles didn't fit inside the frame (DOH! Measuring and remeasuring is important). I decided to shave the tiles down on each side with a diamond saw blade. 

Step 6: I used a tile adhesive (AcrylPro) to the plywood in between the frame. This is where the address tiles will sit while the AcrylPro holds the tiles to the plywood.






Step 7: Press the address tiles onto the adhesive. Make sure all the spaces between the tiles are filled with the adhesive. Make sure to use a sponge to clean off any access adhesive. It comes off easily with water. You'll need to let the adhesive dry over night.

 

Step 8: I add Polyurethane to the frame to weather proof it.

Step 9: Polyurethane protects the wood and the adhesive from the outside weather (I'm hanging this next to my garage). It also gives it a shiny look. Let the Polyurethane dry over night. You're ready to hang your address tiles!

Step 10: I measured where my D-hooks were on the back of the frame. The whole frame is 21 inches wide, the first D-hook is at 6 1/2 inches, and the second D-hook is at 14 5/8 inches. I used a 1/4 inch drill bit & an electric drill to drill to drill holes in the mortar at 6 1/2 inches and 14 5/8 inches across. I hammered in plastic anchors to hold the two screws which hold up the entire frame.

Step 11: I hung the frame to the two screws and made sure it was level. FINISHED!!!!

**After drilling the holes for the plastic anchors, I realized the frame was uneven. I had to hammer the screws up and down until it was level.







Improvements: I'm thinking about adding caulking around the tiles to make it look cleaner. Also, I need to be a little more careful with my miter saw cuts. Some of the corners were a little off, but wood filler made me look like I knew what I was doing :-)