What Do I Need to Know About Mailboxes?

A mailbox is not only an essential tool, but it can also enhance your home’s curb appeal.

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Paul F. P. Pogue is a reporter for Angie’s List, a trusted provider of local consumer reviews and an online marketplace of services from top-rated providers. Visit AngiesList.com.

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What Do I Need to Know About Mailboxes?

By Paul F. P. Pogue

The mailbox is one of the most enduring icons of the American home. Even in an age of email and streaming video, nearly every home in the nation maintains some kind of mailbox, a reminder that some things can only be delivered by the reliable old U.S. Postal Service.

You may not give much thought to your mailbox, but it’s an essential tool for your home, and it’s often one of the first things a visitor sees — the most literal form of curb appeal! Keep this in mind when installing or replacing a mailbox.

FOLLOW THE RULES

The U.S. Postal Service regulates mailbox design specifications — for instance, door slots must be at least 30 inches above the floor, and roadside mailboxes are generally required to be placed at a height of 41 to 45 inches. You should contact the local post office and consult any applicable homeowner association rules before installing a custom mailbox. All mailboxes bought off-the-shelf should bear the Postmaster General’s seal of approval.

MAILBOX MATERIALS

Metal mailboxes provide a solid, reliable service. Aluminum mailboxes are the most popular products on the market. They’re very durable and highly resistant to rust. An aluminum mailbox is most likely to survive many years, especially if weather and moisture are serious considerations where you live.

Steel and copper provide a unique and highly durable look. They require more maintenance than aluminum but can last decades if properly maintained.

No matter what mailbox style you use, consider pressure-treated wood for the mounting post. Insects and woodpeckers can do plenty of damage to untreated wood.

A brick mailbox surround provides the ultimate distinctive mailbox design. Brick mailboxes create an elegant but understated aesthetic, and they’re also the most durable in the face of vandals or thieves. Take care to check this out first with your local post office; some postmasters don’t like them because they can pose a damage threat to delivery vehicles. If you do install one, make sure it’s far enough away from the curb to minimize risk. A mason can design a brick mailbox for you.

Instead of buying a pre-manufactured mailbox, you can hire a pro to create an unforgettable impression on those driving up to your home. Carpenters and handymen are excellent choices for building a custom mailbox.

NEXT-GENERATION MAILBOXES

Design aside, mailboxes still serve an essentially utilitarian purpose: to hold your mail safely until you can retrieve it. In the age of online services and same-day package delivery, the next-generation mailbox is 1 foot tall, 13 inches wide and more than 16 inches deep. The USPS says this is more than enough to handle more than 70 percent of all packages currently being delivered, and it fits on standard mailbox posts. Nextgeneration mailboxes can now be purchased at many retailers.

MAILBOX MAINTENANCE

Periodically inspect your mailbox and keep up on necessary repairs. Pay particular attention to the door, making sure it opens and shuts smoothly, and that the mounting system is firmly secured. Keep an eye out for insect nests and remove any you see. Trim the ground below the box for bugs. Wash it regularly to prevent mildew.