Brass vs. Aluminum Address Plaques: Which Metal Is Right for Your Home?
Every address plaque we sell is offered in three solid cast metals: aluminum, red brass and yellow brass. They share the same design and lettering, but they look, weigh and age differently, and the price gap is significant. Here's how to choose.
The short answer
- Choose aluminum if you want the best value, a lighter plaque that's easy to mount, or a crisp, modern look.
- Choose red brass for a warm, rosy tone and the most traditional, substantial feel.
- Choose yellow brass for a bright, golden finish that reads as classic and formal.
Cost
Aluminum is the most affordable option. Brass runs a little under twice the price of the same plaque in aluminum:
| Plaque | Aluminum | Yellow brass | Red brass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6" Modern Address Plaque | $135 | $239 | $244 |
| 11-7/8" Large Number Address Plaque | $309 | $553 | $558 |
Red and yellow brass are priced within a few dollars of each other, so choose between them on color, not cost.
Weight and mounting
Brass is roughly three times as dense as aluminum, so a brass plaque is much heavier than the same design in aluminum. That weight is part of brass's appeal: it feels permanent and substantial in your hand. It also means brass needs solid mounting into masonry, studs or a post.
Aluminum is easier to handle and hang, which makes it a practical choice for larger signs, mailbox plaques or anything going on a fence or lawn stake.
Color: red brass vs. yellow brass
Both brasses are copper alloys, and the difference is how much copper they contain.
- Red brass has more copper, which gives it a warmer, slightly rosy tone that sits well against brick, stone and earth-toned exteriors.
- Yellow brass has less copper and more zinc, giving it the bright gold color most people picture when they think of brass. It pairs well with white, cream and dark-painted homes.
Aluminum has a cool, silvery-gray color that suits modern and contemporary homes, as well as light siding and stucco.
How each metal ages outdoors
None of the three metals rusts. They do change over time, in different ways.
- Brass slowly darkens and develops a brown patina as it's exposed to air and weather. Many homeowners love that aged, old-world look. If you'd rather keep the bright shine, it can be polished and sealed periodically.
- Aluminum forms a thin, protective oxide layer that dulls the surface to a soft gray. It stays stable and needs very little care.
Which metal for which home?
| Home style | Good fit |
|---|---|
| Traditional, colonial, Tudor | Red or yellow brass |
| Mediterranean, Spanish, stone or brick | Red brass |
| Modern, contemporary, farmhouse | Aluminum |
| Mailboxes, fences, lawn stakes | Aluminum (lighter) |
| Formal entrances, gates, columns | Yellow brass |
What doesn't change between metals
Whichever metal you pick, your plaque is solid cast, not stamped from thin sheet metal. Your numbers and lettering are cast into the plaque itself, so they can't peel or fade off. Many of our plaques mount from the rear, so the hardware stays hidden. Our post on how sand casting works explains how they're made.
Browse all address plaques, from small 2" unit numbers to 20" estate signs.