Most house numbers come in all-weather finishes sealed with lacquer or glaze, but when it comes to choosing a style, the options are almost endless. Materials run the gamut from shiny brass and satin stainless to white clay and terra-cotta tile, with numbers (and, often, letters) rendered in a wide range of typefaces, both traditional and modern. Here we’ve zeroed in on 21 options that span three general time periods, so whatever era your home dates to, we’re sure to have your number. Pro advice “Most municipalities require numbers to be at least 4 inches tall so that safety personnel can see them easily from the street, but check local ordinances before mounting new ones.” —Terry Talken, co-owner, Shop 4 Classics
19th Century: Hammered Look
Solid, from-the-forge-look numbers fit Cape Cod, Georgian, and Greek Revival–influenced homes, while ornate options make a good match for Queen Anne and other Victorian-era styles. From: Atlas Homewares Size: Up to 3½"W × 5½"H Made of: Zinc with a lacquered copper finish Cost: About $14 each; Atlas Homewares
Rustic Patina
From: Ashley Norton Size: Up to 4"W × 6"H Made of: Solid bronze with a dark oil-rubbed finish Cost: About $23 each; Door Hardware USA
Filigree Flourishes
From: All Fired Up Size: Up to 4"W × 8"H Made of: Glazed ceramic Cost: About $20 each; Habitatter
Stylish Slant
From: Ashley Norton Size: Up to 2"W × 4"H Made of: Solid bronze with a light finish Cost: About $21 each; Door Hardware USA
Textural Twigs
From: Pottery Barn Size: Up to 6"W × 10"H Made of: Cast aluminum with a bronze finish Cost: About $14 each; Pottery Barn
Classic Brass
From: Restoration Hardware Size: Up to 3"W × 5"H Made of: Polished solid brass Cost: About $10 each; Restoration Hardware
Victorian Vines
From: Rocheford Handmade Tile Size: Up to 4½"W × 6"H Made of: Hand-glazed terra-cotta Cost: About $25 each; Rocheford Handmade Tile Exclusive TOH discount! 15 percent off. Details at This Old House Deals.
Bright Enamel
From: Ecco by Fuoriserie Size: Up to 2½"W × 4¼"H Made of: Crackled glass and ceramic Cost: About $7 each; Historic Houseparts
Aged Look
From: Rejuvenation Size: Up to 3¼"W × 5⅛"H Made of: Hand-hammered steel with a weathered iron finish Cost: About $20 each; Rejuvenation
Pre-War: Scroll Style
Hand-craftsmanship and nature motifs suit bungalows and early-20th-century revival styles. Stream-lined digits are a good match for Prairie and Art Deco architecture. From: Mission Metalworks Size: Up to 3½"W × 5"H Made of: Recycled white bronze that will patina Cost: About $25 each; Shop 4 Classics
Artful Flourishes
From: Atlas Homewares Size: Up to 3¼"W × 4"H Made of: Cast zinc with a black lacquered finish Cost: About $10 each; Atlas Homewares
Matte Mission
From: Atlas Homewares Size: Up to 3"W × 5½"H Made of: Cast zinc with a lacquered nickel finish Cost: About $14 each; Atlas Homewares
Craftsman Cattails
From: Rocheford Handmade Tile Size: Up to 4½"W × 6"H Made of: Hand-glazed white clay Cost: About $25 each; Rocheford Handmade Tile
Deco Digits
From: Porteous Tiles Size: Up to 3"W × 6"H Made of: Hand-painted glazed porcelain Cost: About $22 each; Kensington Art Tiles
Hand-Pressed Clay
From: Ravenstone Tiles Size: Up to 4"W × 6"H Made of: Hand-glazed ceramic Cost: About $30 each; Ravenstone Tiles Exclusive TOH discount! 20 percent off. Details at This Old House Deals.
Nouveau Numerals
From: Porteous Tiles Size: Up to 3"W × 6"H Made of: Hand-painted glazed porcelain Cost: About $22 each; Fair Oak Workshops
Mid-Century: Eames Era
Accessorize ranches and more modern homes from the 1950s and 1960s with bold, graphic numerals. From: Heath Ceramics Size: Up to 4"W × 4"H Made of: Glazed ceramic Cost: About $45 each; Heath Ceramics
Cleaned-Up Classic
From: Atlas Homewares Size: Up to 3"W × 6"H Made of: Cast zinc with a black finish Cost: About $21 each; Atlas Homewares
Peel and Stick
From: Atlas Homewares Size: Up to 4½"W × 4"H Made of: Brushed stainless steel with easy-mount adhesive backing Cost: About $21 each; Atlas Homewares
Bar-Code Script
From: Ecco by Fuoriserie Size: Up to 2½"W × 4"H Made of: Cast brass with a copper-plated finish Cost: About $13 each; Comfort House
Modern Markers
From: Heath Ceramics Size: Up to 3"W × 6"H Made of: Glazed ceramic Cost: About $45 each; Heath Ceramics