By Erik J. Martin, CTW Features
The mail carrier’s best friend is definitely not a dog – it’s your home’s mailbox. This private portal for small parcels, letters, and magazines serves an important function: protecting your delivered goods from the elements and thieves without detracting from your home’s curb appeal.
But mailboxes, like any home component, can wear out over time, prove too small, or start to look downright ugly. Ask yourself: How long have you had your current mailbox, and is it time for a replacement?
“The best candidates for replacing or installing a new mailbox on or near their property are homeowners who want to improve the aesthetics of their residence or accommodate a larger volume of mail they are receiving. Mailboxes can be a very important part of a house’s front yard and installing one that is in line with your aesthetic preferences can make your home stand out from others in the neighborhood,” suggests Oleg Stepanchukovski, a certified handyman in Miami and an expert advisor at PatioProductions.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love in San Diego, strongly recommends replacing your mailbox if it’s damaged or severely worn.
“Your mailbox is subject to the weather, and if it has any cracks or holes, you face the potential of your mail getting wet and ruined,” he cautions.
Before attempting to swap out your mailbox, it’s important to weigh several factors carefully.
“Consider things like the size of your home, the number of occupants, and daily mail volume. For example, a large property with multiple occupants is likely to need a larger mailbox than a small property with only one occupant,” says Boyd Rudy, associate broker with Dwellings Michigan in Plymouth, Michigan. “Additionally, note that in many municipalities, there are rules and regulations in place regarding the placement of mailboxes. In some cases, the mailbox must be placed a certain distance from the street, while in others it must be placed next to the curb. There could also be restrictions in your area on the size of the mailbox as well as the materials that can be used to construct it.”
Most of these local regulations are intended to protect the mail carrier and ensure that mailboxes are safe and easy to reach for them as well as the homeowner.
“To ensure that mailboxes are located in a convenient place for mail carriers to access them, municipalities often require that mailboxes be placed at least 6 feet from the street or sidewalk. This distance is important because it allows carriers to safely get out of their vehicles,” Stepanchukovski explains.
Most mailboxes are typically made of metal, which is sturdy but heavy; plastic, which can be lightweight but may scratch easily; or wood, which can be cosmetically attractive but rot over time.
“If you are going to install your new mailbox on the home’s façade, I recommend choosing one that is made of a durable material like cast iron or steel, which will keep it from rusting or corroding. If you are going to install a curbside mailbox accessible via the street, I suggest choosing one made of plastic because it’s more lightweight and won’t weigh down your post as quickly as something heavier would,” he adds.
If your mailbox must be located curbside, durability and security should be more important factors than appearance.
“In this case, a mailbox with a latching mechanism could probably be a better choice,” says Rudy. “If you live in an urban area, be sure to choose a mailbox that is vandal-resistant and secure, perhaps one with a slit that mail can be dropped into.”
If you are installing the mailbox on your home’s exterior adjacent to your door, make sure the mailbox is appropriately sized without hindering the ability to fully open the door, and use weather-resistant screws to secure it in place.