How to Choose the Right Letterbox for Your Home
Tired of picking up the newspaper from different spots on your yard, or finding your magazine in the hands of your next-door neighbor? How about having your parcels getting wet because it was just left on the ground? Do you want to add curbside appeal to your home?
Then it’s time for you to get a high-quality letterbox.
Form and Function
Letterboxes come in different sizes, shapes and styles. From typical and traditional designs such as the simple wooden or metallic mailbox with that iconic red flag, letterboxes have come a long way.
Today, it can be made theft and weather-resistant by making use of various materials and utilizing functional design details to suit your every need. They can be designed with safety locks and spring flaps that keep your mail protected from possible theft or invasion of privacy.
The right mailbox does not only add appeal to the façade of your property. More importantly, it provides you with ease and convenience. It will save you from chasing down your newspaper every day or missing mail simply because there was no one around to receive them.
Here are three essential factors to consider when choosing a letterbox:
1. Your home style
What kind of residence do you have? Do you have a front yard that can accommodate a letterbox? Or do you reside in an apartment building where space for a mailbox may be limited?
There are several kinds of letterboxes that you can consider depending on your house. Typically, there are two types of letterboxes:
Curbside boxes:
- Suitable for those who have a sizable plot of land to place the letterbox in, such as front yards or driveways.
- Curbside boxes may be fence-mounted, post-mounted, brick in or freestanding.
- Usually found in suburban and rural areas.
Wall-mounted boxes:
- Suitable for those who have minimal front yard space.
- Usually found in urban, populated areas such as apartment buildings or condominiums.
Letterboxes can also serve multiple recipients. If you reside in a townhouse, your building manager may want to invest in a freestanding multi-unit post box. A smart option is to choose one that is made of galvanized steel and is key lockable for your peace of mind and security.
2. Letterbox material
Depending on your residence type, the material of your mailbox can also vary.
If it is exposed to the elements, such as in the case of curbside letterboxes, you should opt for materials that can withstand different kinds of weather conditions. It can be made from stainless steel for maximum protection and durability.
Mailboxes can also be made of copper, brass or wood. They may need a bit of maintenance on your part, though. For wood, it can be made together with galvanized steel, and powder coated to make it sturdier and more weather-adaptable.
For people who live in coastal areas, aluminum, rust protected or marine grade materials are recommended.
3. Privacy and function
Aside from your bills, what other kinds of mail do you usually receive? Is a newspaper slot a requirement or are you more of an online news kind of person? Do you often receive bulky parcels?
Ask yourself these questions to help you decide the best letterbox style for your needs. For example, if you don’t subscribe to a broadsheet, then you won’t really need a newspaper slot in your mailbox.
If you anticipate getting big boxes, then you might want to consider a parcel letterbox that has a lock. Combined with a CCTV security camera system, and you can count on added safety and privacy for your home.
All boxed up
Letterboxes save you a lot of time and energy by keeping your correspondence all in one place. With durable, weatherproof and interference-proof designs, you can be assured that you will receive your parcels in good condition.
Having your mail conveniently delivered to a safe and secure receptacle in the form of stylish and serviceable letterboxes can certainly deliver immense ease and comfort. So choose wisely and enjoy the benefits of a well-thought out and carefully selected letterbox.
About the Author
Jay Flavell is the General Manager at Sandleford Holdings. He has been working in the DIY & Home Improvement industry since 2007 and has vast experience sourcing and developing products from overseas suppliers in the Far East. Jay has also been successful dealing with a number of major DIY & Home Improvement retailers throughout his career.
