While most houses come with the address already on the front, many homeowners replace it with a new house number plaque since the original numbers may be difficult to see. Before you purchase a new plaque, take size into consideration so that it is easily visible from the street. You should also consider the material of the sign, with wood, metal, and ceramic being the most popular types available. Of course, the design of the plaque is also important, as it should simultaneously complement your home while allowing passers-by to clearly see your house number.
Most people replace the old house numbers with a new plaque because the existing ones are hard to see, especially at night. If visitors to your home often complain that the house is hard to find due to the numbers not being very clear, a larger house number plaque should help. Consider how large it needs to be before you buy, as there are various sizes on the market. For example, if your house is far back from the road, or is located on a busy street that requires people to drive by quickly, you should look at the largest signs available. Of course, the larger signs are usually more expensive, so if your home is close to the road and in a quiet area with little traffic, the house number plaque does not usually need to be particularly large.
The material of the sign should mesh well with your home's design. For example, if your home is made of wood, with a traditional style, a wooden house number plaque would likely look good. A more modern design on the home usually calls for a metal plaque. If you cannot decide what would look best, note that ceramic plaques usually complement most homes, regardless of housing material or style. You may also wish to look at the plaques of other homes in your neighborhood for ideas.
Though a house number plaque is quite functional, it can also serve as an outdoor home decoration, which you should keep in mind when deciding on the design. Most people prefer to have some distinctive features on their outdoor plaques, such as an interesting font or a colorful border around the numbers. This is most often seen on ceramic plaques, though wooden and metal signs can also usually be painted. Of course, consider the exterior of your home before you decide on a design for the house number plaque. For example, a plain sign might be best if your yard looks full, as it can balance out a particularly busy exterior.