Few people give a lot of thought to their home letterbox. It’s not generally something people consider improving, repairing or changing until their current unit breaks or malfunctions or they inherit an ugly one with a new property.
When you really consider what a letterbox can do for the look of your house, for better or for worse, it’s worth giving careful consideration to ensuring you have the right style for your home. The right letterbox can complement your home’s beautiful façade; the wrong choice can stand out by looking ugly or cheap which can completely ruin your home’s curb appeal.
There’s a range of practical considerations as well. To avoid frustration or disappointment with this particular outdoor feature, here’s everything you need to know before you choose your new letterbox.
1. How to Pick the Right Position
Many postal services have strict conditions about where on your property they will place your mail. It is therefore important that you need to know everything you can about this. You should also check the planning regulations attached to your property as well. You may be obliged to keep the same style as your neighbors for unity and formality.
Space may play a big part in this decision to where exactly your mailbox goes. Assess your outdoor space and the specific area where you would like to place the mailbox. In case you don’t have enough space for a freestanding or post-mounted box, you need to look at built-in or wall mounted options.
The type of weather your letterbox will be constantly subject to should also be considered at this point. After all, you do not want extreme weather conditions to be able to damage your mail or affect the longevity of your new letterbox. As such, pick a sheltered or shaded spot as much as possible.
2. How to Pick the Right Design
Consider whether the narrow slots of the traditional letterbox suit your needs. These narrow slots are great for receiving mail in standard size envelopes. However, most of the time, the size of the slot is not enough for depositing magazines or small parcels. If you are one of the many people have more and more deliveries like these, it’s worth thinking about alternative styles with wider or larger openings.
If you are regularly away from home, remember to pick a design that will cope with the amount of mail you might expect to get during that time. Keep in mind that overflowing mailboxes can attract thieves or prevent the postal worker from being able to deliver all your mail.
Lastly, for peace of mind, it is best to get a secure letterbox with a lock. By doing so, you can be sure your mail can drop sufficiently once it’s posted through the opening and will deter opportunistic thieves from being able to fish it out again.
It is also best to pick a design that has a spring loaded flap or other tamper-proof features.
3. How to Pick the Right Style
Whatever practical limitations you may have, there is a range of modern and more traditional styles available.
Ask yourself whether you want your letterbox to stand out and make a real style statement or whether you want it to blend in and complement the façade of your home.
For a bolder statement, free-standing letterboxes in stylish materials such as stainless steel and modern timber look particularly chic and elegant.
You may prefer a traditional post-mounted style. This type can still stand out as long as you select a color that contrasts with your home. Picking an interesting design that suits the style and look of your property will also make it a great focal point on your lawn.
Lastly, if you prefer for your letterbox to blend in, consider building your letterbox into the material your home was built in. For instance, if you have a brick house or wall, consider getting a mailbox customized to match the brick veneer of the main home. Alternatively, opt for a fence or wall mounted letterbox in a matching or neutral color for discreteness.
AUTHOR BIO
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.
Beau Flavell has been a Product & Account Manager for Sandleford Holdings since July 2017. He completed his VCE at Brighton Grammar School and also holds an A-Class Electrician License. Beau has been working on developing a new range of innovative letterboxes and currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.