You’ve Got Mail: How to Choose a Letterbox That Perfectly Complements Your Exterior

Nowadays, we prefer using social media and different messaging apps instead of the more traditional letters as our primary means of written communication. But despite the fact that we send out fewer letters, letterboxes are still a common sight in front of most houses. And for a good reason. These outdoor elements are the perfect way to boost your home’s curb appeal.

Choosing a mailbox that is unique and stylish is the ideal approach to making a great first impression since it is typically the first thing visitors notice when they step foot in your yard. And thanks to the numerous letterbox designs, everyone may easily discover something to complete their exterior. Here’s what you should know to pick the perfect model for your home.

The Different Types

You should base your mailbox decision largely on the purposes you want it to fulfil and whether you require something more secure or discrete. Depending on the way they’re mounted, mailboxes can be of the following types.

Slot

As it is placed on your front door or a wall in your home, this choice is the safest and most private because mail cannot be taken out or viewed through it.

However, many people find a mail slot on its own to be too messy because any mail posted through it ends up all over the corridor floor. Though, the issue can be resolved by putting a straightforward box on the inside to catch the mail.

Another drawback is that larger parcels cannot fit through a standard mail slot, so if no one is home to receive them, they must be left on your porch or returned to the post office.

Post-Mounted

This style of letterbox is often known as a kerbside because it is typically positioned on the kerbside. The ability of mail carriers to deliver your mail without having to approach the front of your home is a significant benefit of curbside letterboxes. As a result, your property will continue to be more private, and your dog won’t be in danger of attacking the mailman.

Wall-Mounted

You can always choose a wall-mounted letterbox if you don’t want to detract from your lovely front door but also don’t want to have to trek to the curbside to pick up mail. This kind of mailbox is easily mounted to any wall in your home. It can be installed inside a wall cavity, so it doesn’t protrude for a seamless finish.

A flush-finished wall-mounted style is an option if you like minimalism. Make sure the material and finish you select for the letter box match the wall it will be mounted on for it to truly blend in.

Column-Mounted

This type of mailbox is a more sophisticated variation of the post-mounted mailbox as its built into a column at the end of your driveway. Since column-mounted letterboxes are extremely difficult to break into or disassemble, they are typically more secure than post-mounted ones.

The drawback of these models is that you must leave the house to pick up the mail rather than having it brought right to your door.

Materials

Naturally, your mailbox must be sturdy and long-lasting enough to endure all types of weather. When choosing, keep in mind that certain materials are much more suited to particular conditions. You don’t want to have to change it every few months.

The most common mailbox materials have the following key characteristics:

• Steel – Water can be a problem for steel. That said, a steel mailbox needs to be treated for water resistance. Otherwise, it can survive rust and harsh weather conditions like hail and strong winds.
• Aluminium – Opposed to steel, aluminium is water-resistant. Additionally, there’s no risk of rust forming. In comparison to other metals, it is rather lightweight which can be both a plus and a downside depending on what your wishes are.
• Brass – To avoid patina (green-coloured residue caused by air and moisture exposure), brass requires frequent shining and polishing.
• Plastic – Plastic is incredibly versatile and simple to maintain and clean. Although it is reasonably resilient, it can be a very bad idea in hotter climates as the heat may cause the plastic to melt or warp.
• Wood – Due to its classic and rustic style, a wooden letterbox can be highly aesthetically pleasing. In general, it’s not suggested for rainy regions due to their lack of durability and water resistance. However, today there are models made of premium weather-resistant woods like Accoya and teak which can withstand pests, rust, and all kinds of outdoor conditions.

Features

Your mailbox must have a house number or your surname visibly displayed. Since mailmen can frequently make mistakes, this guarantees that your mail is delivered to the correct address.

Additionally, consider installing a secure locking system that can only be opened by you or individuals you know should. This is crucial for free-standing mailboxes because mail thieves prefer to target larger mailboxes as they are more likely to hold packages.