A letterbox doesn’t need to be a boring design attached to your door, but is the perfect way to add some personality to your home. When choosing your letterbox, you should consider its design, size, and materials to ensure you are making the perfect choice for your home, while adding some personality to your space.
Doing so can be challenging, especially if you have never given letterboxes much thought before, which is why we are here! Today, we will guide you through the considerations you need to make to choose the perfect letterbox for your home!
Consider the Size
First, you need to consider the size of the letterbox, ensuring it is large enough for your post to be delivered, without obstructing your door or taking over your home. When considering the size of the letterbox, consider the available space you already have and where the letterbox is being placed. If it is being installed in your door, consider the available space on the door and whether adding the letterbox will make it harder to use the door or not.
If you are placing the letterbox on a wall or have opted for a freestanding design, you will have the same considerations to make, but will also need to consider if the size of the letterbox makes it difficult to move past it and if it will be large enough to fit your mail. Most modern letterboxes are designed to fit A4 sized envelopes and magazines without folding, while older designs tend to be smaller and narrower, where your mail is likely to be folded.
When looking at the size of the letterbox, consider its length, height, and depth to ensure you are selecting the perfect size for your home and the mail you typically receive.
Consider the Materials
These days, letterboxes come in a variety of materials and you want to choose the perfect one that matches your aesthetic, while offering durability. Galvanised steel, aluminium, and stainless steel are among the most popular materials. These provide a timeless addition to your home and incredible durability too, so you won’t need to worry about replacing them. All of these materials offer excellent weather resistance too, so you don’t need to worry about extreme temperatures, rain, or wind damaging them.
For those living near the sea, consider corrosion resistant materials too that will ensure the letterbox will stand the test of time, without getting damaged by the salt water and sea air. You might find that UPVC is a good option here, or thick steel coated letterboxes.
Consider the Design
Many opt for a letterbox that can be installed directly into their door, allowing the mail to be conveniently dropped into your home without you needing to open the door. But you should also consider whether a freestanding letterbox is a good option. These can be placed anywhere on your property, usually your front yard, and are the perfect way to add a touch of uniqueness to your home. Freestanding letterboxes tend to be larger, offering room for more mail to be collected. They are an excellent option if you receive a lot of parcels, as they can be deposited safely into the letterbox, without you worrying about them getting stolen or damaged by the weather.
Another common design option is a wall mounted letterbox. These larger letterboxes can collect the letters in one place, or deposit them to your home without them falling onto the floor like we typically see with in-door letterboxes. Wall mounted letterboxes require a little more time and care when installing, but usually come with a lock for increased safety, and they prevent the letters from falling on the floor and getting damaged by pets or children.
When choosing a letterbox design, consider the available space you have, the size of parcels you have delivered, and your design preferences to see which is right for you.
Consider Extra Features
When choosing your letterbox, there are a few additional features that you should consider to help you narrow your choice and find the perfect option. You should look for letterboxes with a draft-excluder to prevent any warm air being lost from your home during the winter, especially in colder climates.
Consider how the letterbox opens too. If it features a flap, make sure it springs shut to prevent drafts and provide additional security to your home. You don’t want a letterbox that remains open for anyone to see in! If you opt for a wall mounted or freestanding letterbox, consider how it opens and locks, to ensure your mail remains secure until you can collect it. You should also consider how the letterbox is installed, and whether you can do this yourself or if you will require a professional, which can increase the overall cost.
Find Your Perfect Letterbox Today
By making the considerations we have outlined today, you can easily narrow your search and find the perfect letterbox for your home. When choosing a letterbox, we recommend checking out Ironbark Metal Design, who create beautiful freestanding letterboxes that can be customised to suit your specific tastes. Whether you want a sleek and modern design or unique rustic letter boxes, they have an option for you! Check them out to see if you can find your new letterbox today.
