Handsome House Numbers

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