Gold Leaf House Numbers: Hand-Gilded Glass for Homes in DC

Gold Leaf House Numbers for Historic Homes

The photo below shows glass gilding at a private residence in Washington, DC. The process is involved, with many steps and careful timing. Designs & Signs works from Edgewater, Maryland, and we have many years of experience in the gold leaf trade. We have provided traditional gold leaf house numbers on transoms all over Washington, DC, and on home entrances in Northern Virginia, Annapolis, and Baltimore too.

Learn more about our transom window house numbers, with detailed information and photos of the process from start to finish.

Real Gold Leaf and Palladium Leaf

There is no substitute for the real thing, so we recommend traditional hand-applied gold leaf and palladium leaf. We also offer films. However, we generally suggest films only for high-traffic areas, where traditional leaf might be more easily damaged.

How to Order Gold Leaf House Numbers

First, send us a message or call and leave a voicemail, and we will respond as quickly as possible. Next, we send you a font portfolio to review. Usually, the most traditional fonts are the most helpful. A font like Clarendon, with attractive ball terminals, is popular and historically appropriate. In addition, we have more conservative sans serif fonts and even art deco fonts.

Choosing a Font and Size

At this point, please choose one font, not ten. Once you select a favorite, we provide a drawing with measurements. The typical size for gold leaf house numbers is a five-inch number height. A larger size means a larger gilded area, so the job takes longer. Your drawing also includes options for an outline, or an outline with a shadow. Please send us a photo of your transom along with its measurements. With that, we can be sure your numbers will be the right size for your home.