As a finishing touch, the right letterbox can really add to the attractiveness of your property. Something stately and elegant can complement your home whereas something that looks cheap or ugly will negatively affect the appeal of your property, too.
The letterbox is part of the first impression anyone coming to your home will have. Therefore, it’s well worth investing careful consideration in choosing the right one.
There’s quite a variety of options available, from modern freestanding or traditional post-mounted units, to bricked-in boxes, to wall or fence mounted choices.
As well as picking a good looking design, there are lots of practical things to consider, too. To make sure you pick the right letterbox option for your home, follow these dos and don’ts.
Dos:
- Do check any postal regulations that may be applicable to your property before considering your options. In Australia and New Zealand, for instance, there are specific regulations on the approved sizes, location, numbering and clearing of mailboxes. These conditions were established to ensure mails will be delivered with utmost efficiency.
- Do also check any planning regulations that may affect the letterbox you choose. You may, for example, need to choose something in a certain style to match the neighborhood. You can know more about this by checking the local council’s or neighborhood’s rules.
- Do choose a secure option with a key for peace of mind. This will help you prevent mail theft.
- Do pick a mailbox that is large or spacious enough for a few days worth of mail. You may sometimes forget to empty the box or be unable to pick them up due to an emergency. You may also go away for short periods and not want to inconvenience anyone to empty it for you.
- Do consider all available options or designs. These include:
- Freestanding letterbox. This type looks modern and chic.
- Built-in box. This design looks elegant and discrete.
- Fence or wall-mounted. This type add a rustic charm to your outdoor space and are brilliant space-savers.
- Traditional post-mounted letterboxes. This is one of the most popular types of mailboxes. They always look appealing and are great examples of practical design.
- Do pick a letterbox that complements the style of your home. Whether the overall design of your home is modern or more traditional, select the best one that works with the current style. A letterbox in a mismatched style will stand out for the wrong reasons.
- Do pay attention to the color and manufacturing material of your letterbox to ensure it works with your home. Wall mounted letterboxes, in particular, come in a great variety of finishes and colors. You might opt for a bold contrasting material or a color and finish that blends in; both can work, particularly if you own a more modern home.
Don’ts:
- Don’t place your letterbox where it’ll be too open to the elements if you can help it. Harsh weather will affect the functionality and look of this feature. If you have no choice, pick something in a more resilient material to maximize the life of the letterbox. Also, ensure that the slot for mail will prevent driving rain from affecting your mail.
- Don’t pick a mailbox that will allow mail to be fished out by opportunistic thieves. You could opt for a spring-loaded flap or tamper-proof interior lip. A spacious mailbox with plenty of room for your mail to drop to the bottom will help with security, too.
- Don’t opt for standard-size opening if you regularly receive newspapers, magazines or slim parcels. A larger or wider opening will ensure all your mail gets to you in good condition. It will also be less irritating to you and your mail delivery person.
- Don’t forget you may need to label your mailbox with your house’s number or your last name. As such, it is a good idea to have an idea how you’ll do that before making your final choice. Stick-on numerals are a popular and flexible choice.
To ensure you get your post and other documents safely and in good condition, put some thought into selecting your letterbox. Your ultimate pick should be one that is durable, easy to use and designed to enhance your outdoor space.
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.