Regardless of how small they are, letter boxes have a great impact on every house. Not only they create the first impression for the homeowner and the entire house, but they also boost your house’s curb appeal. Aside from that, why not receiving your letters and packages in the most stylish way? So, regardless if you’re a new homeowner who’s looking for a nice letterbox to adorn the house, or you want to finally change your old, shabby one, we wrapped up a couple of tips on how to make the best choice when it comes to mailboxes.

Decide on the Type

Before you spend your money on the box that seems the best, make sure you explore different types of letterboxes and determine which one suits your house most.

Wall Mount Letter Boxes

Starting from the most commonly chosen type, wall-mount letterboxes are best for every area featuring a walk-up mail delivery service that delivers your mails and packages right to your front porch. This makes a wall mount letter box the most convenient solution because let's be sincere, picking up your mails and packages from your porch is way better than walking down your driveway.

Aside from that, a wall-mount mailbox is way safer than any other type, since mail thieves are more likely to "attack" your mailbox if it’s placed in your driveway, rather than close to your front door. And besides this, you can always lock it to feel more secure.

Such mount letterboxes aren’t intended only for walls, since many manufacturers design them to be suitable for different fences such as the ones made of wood, brick, block or steel, without compensating on the safety features.

Post Mount Letter Boxes

If you live in an area with a curbside delivery available, then a post-mount letter box is probably the best choice for you. Not only most of them feature locking inserts and other anti-theft features to protect your mail and packages from getting stolen, but they also come with many different features such as front or rear access options, with personal address plaques, optional newspaper holders and many more features- depending on your preferences.

Freestanding Letter Boxes

Freestanding, or commonly referred to as column mount letter boxes are the ones that feature your mailbox surrounded by a brick, stone or concrete construction. Such mailboxes tend to be more spacious, which makes them highly suitable for people who receive many packages more frequently, and at the same time, they serve as a great decoration to your front yard.

Aside from that, freestanding mailboxes also come with many safety locks and features, as well as personalized plaques and different accessing options to fit your preferences.

Consider the Material

Regardless of what type of house letter box you choose, know that all of them are made of different materials, so make sure you choose wisely. Since mailboxes are intended for outdoor use, know that your mailbox will be 24/7 exposed to the climate and the weather conditions in your area, so make sure you choose one that won’t get destroyed once it gets in touch with the first rain, or fade after getting exposed to the high temperatures in our country.

For instance, materials such as aluminium are a great choice for people who live in coastal areas, since it’s a completely moisture-resistant material that won’t rust and corrode from the high air humidity. Aside from that, aluminium reflects the light and keeps the ultraviolet rays away, which makes it a great choice if you’re receiving packages with content that can spoil when exposed to heat.
Galvanized steel boxes are also very popular since they’re one of the most budget-friendly options without compensating for the ability to keep your mail and packages. In fact, galvanized steel’s lifespan is estimated to be over 20 years exposed to many external influences in urban areas. But know that these mailboxes have a thin layer of zinc that can’t withstand saltwater. So, if you’re living in a beach area, make sure you skip galvanized steel and choose aluminium or stainless steel as a great replacement.

On the other hand, some people decide to go for a wooden mailbox since they give every home a touch of warmth and special charm. Also, wooden mailboxes are sustainable and eco-friendly, and due to them not being treated with any chemicals, they won’t warp or shrink over time. But as we all know, wood tends to get destroyed once moisture penetrates its surface, so if you go for a wooden letterbox, make sure you apply a good coat of sealant so you protect it from rain, snow and other moisture exposures.

Pick the Right Size

Letter boxes come in many different sizes and have many different capabilities, and choosing the right combination is crucial. So, if you’re the type of person who just loves to shop for stuff online, and receive large packages on daily basis, then it’s best to consider a large mailbox. This also applies to the larger families and households with many members.

On the other hand, if the mailbox serves you for receiving occasional letters, a smaller one would work fine, but make sure you choose one that supports parcels or at least A4 format letters.

Match Your House’s Design

Finally, your mailbox is the first thing that everybody notices when passing by, so make sure it makes a good introduction and complements your house. If your house exterior is entirely in Victorian style, it’s best to choose a vintage letter box with carved mouldings and finals on top of it. On the other hand, if your home is fully country-styled, make sure you choose a matching letter box made of wood and aged metals and hammered finishes. And finally, if you’re living in a contemporary-styled house, then don’t forget to choose an ultra modern letterbox with sleek or matte finishes.

However, regardless of what you choose, make sure your mailbox’s shape, style and overall design match your fence, house number and the overall appearance of your front yard.