ᐅ How to install a doorbell nameplate or button on a brick wall?

Hello everyone,

we want to buy a new doorbell button. Before ordering it, I am wondering about the best way to mount it on our exterior wall.

We have clinker bricks (see photo).

The button protrudes from the back of the doorbell plate (see another photo). I estimate about 2–3 cm (1–1.2 inches). The diameter is approximately 2 cm (0.8 inches).

Question 1: Do you think I can drill a hole large enough into a joint of the clinker brick wall so that the button fits flush inside the wall and the doorbell plate sits more or less flat on the outside wall? The cable (laid horizontally in a joint; see photo) still has to be attached to the back of the button.

Question 2: On the back, there are two threaded studs which you screw pins into; these then go into anchors. So I would need to drill two holes into the clinker bricks, which I would prefer to avoid. Could I instead cut off the threaded studs with a rotary tool (Dremel) and glue the doorbell plate to the clinker bricks with silicone? Would that hold or not?

I have a completely different type of facing brick and needed (wanted) to drill for the mailbox, both into the mortar joint and the brick itself. With the right tools, neither is a problem. Since a sign like that is meant to stay up for a long time, there’s no need to worry about the hole.

I realize I may have expressed myself unclearly. It’s obvious that I will end up with holes. However, I would rather avoid this because I might buy a new doorbell in the future, which may not cover the holes. And holes in the brickwork do not look good.

I don't think there is any adhesive that will last more than 10 years, regardless of heat, cold, or moisture, and can be removed completely without any residue. Silicone, for example, definitely doesn’t last that long and can also leave residues. If the back of the sign is too smooth, it also won’t hold well.
The best option is to drill into the joints, as this is the easiest method, and the second best is to buy a larger doorbell sign later.

Some may consider me a sloppy worker, but I would suggest trying silicone first. You can always drill holes later if needed. Silicone is necessary anyway for sealing, otherwise the connections will fail after 1-2 years. Maybe just apply a roughly 1cm (0.4 inch) wide layer (pressed) along the edges, so it can be removed again if necessary. That should hold well enough...

So, I have now decided to go ahead with drilling.

Do I need to apply silicone into the holes after drilling before inserting the anchors? I think I read something like that, but I could be mistaken.