diff --git a/src/angular-masonry.js b/src/angular-masonry.js
index 2f076a5..1f59f42 100644
--- a/src/angular-masonry.js
+++ b/src/angular-masonry.js
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
           var attrOptions = scope.$eval(attrs.options);
           var options = angular.extend(attrOptions || {}, {
             itemSelector: attrs.itemSelector || '.masonry-brick',
-            columnWidth: attrs.columnWidth
+            columnWidth: parseInt(attrs.columnWidth, 10)
           });
           element.masonry(options);
 
diff --git a/test/spec/directive.coffee b/test/spec/directive.coffee
index f8f2759..31cbdb1 100644
--- a/test/spec/directive.coffee
+++ b/test/spec/directive.coffee
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ describe 'angular-masonry', ->
 
     expect($.fn.masonry).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
     call = $.fn.masonry.firstCall
-    expect(call.args[0].columnWidth).toBe '200'
+    expect(call.args[0].columnWidth).toBe 200
   )
 
   it 'should pass on the item-selector attribute', inject(($compile) =>