Receiving mail is no longer what it used to be. Back in the day, we used to await the postman with eager anticipation, looking forward to a letter from a friend or a postcard from a member of the family. Before we had regular access to phones, the post even used to come several times a day, and letter writing was both art and pastime.
The letters we receive in our snail mail today are mostly bills, promotional materials and the occasional Christmas card. Yet all of these envelopes (as well as the magazines and catalogues we may still be subscribed to) need to be delivered somewhere.
If you want to ensure your letters safely await your return from work or the shops, you need to choose a letterbox that is both secure and that complements your home’s exterior. Let’s take a look at some of the key points to consider when making this choice.
Size and shape
While the EU does have a standard letterbox size, the UK has never adopted the European standard for letterboxes, so you have complete freedom to choose the size of your own letterbox.
Granted, you do want to give some consideration to standard letter sizes, and the type of mail you are likely to receive. If your postman frequently trots up to your door with an A4 envelope in his hands, the least you can do is provide a suitable letterbox. Not only will this show some appreciation for your local postman, it will ensure your magazines are not bent or left outside in the rain.
As you are the best judge of your own postal needs, select a letterbox that fits in with the room you have available for it and your letter delivery needs. You don’t have to choose the bulkiest model – letterboxes can be fairly thin yet wide and high enough for standard envelopes.
For reference, European standards dictate that the internal volume of a letterbox should be at least 40 millimetres, that it should be either 230-280 millimetres or 325-400 millimetres wide and 30-35 millimetres high.
Design and material considerations
You also want to consider where you are mounting said letterbox. Most models can be wall-mounted letterboxes on your fence or gate, but there are also built-in models that you essentially turn into a part of your door, as well as freestanding models. Depending on the style of your home and the location you have deemed suitable for letterbox installation, consider the design itself.
Most letterboxes are also made of rather durable materials that will be able to resist the elements, like steel or aluminium, but they also come in plastic and wood. Your best bet is to choose a durable and weather-resistant design that will ensure all of your mail is protected at all times. Not to mention, this kind of letterbox will last you longer.
When it comes to style, to be perfectly honest, letterboxes don’t usually boast too much variety. They tend to come in muted colours, as manufacturers hope to appeal to homeowners who live in a wide variety of homes.
You can however find some more vibrant options on the market of course, or you can repaint a non-stylish letterbox yourself. Just make sure the paint you choose is compatible with the material of the letterbox itself, and that you use it according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Remember that you may also need to add your name or house number to the letterbox, so take that into consideration as well when picking your model. A unique letterbox will make your home easier to identify, so if you, for instance, run a business from home and need your clients to be able to recognize you from a distance, an unusual letterbox can become your calling card.
Safety first
Naturally, the main feature you are looking for with a letterbox is safety. You don’t want your bills to somehow manage to disappear from your letterbox overnight, nor do you want anyone to get their hands on your personal information. We all receive something or other from our bank every now and again, and ensuring these envelopes can’t be tampered with is paramount.
For starters, make sure the letterbox can be firmly attached to your fence or gate, and that removing it will be a loud and tedious task. The lock itself should provide a challenge as well, and you also want it to come with at least 3 keys. You never know when you might misplace one.
Combination locks are also a good choice, in which case all you have to be mindful of is to remember where you’ve written it down.
The shoot of the letterbox should prevent anyone from jimmying a letter out with a hook – so a model with a built-in spring or simply one that is deep enough or that has a security panel will often be the best choice.
The I Love Parcels letterbox
Our own letterbox is made of galvanized steel, so it will certainly protect your valuable (and less valuable) mail. We’ve added a handle that makes opening it super easy (provided you have a key of course), even when your hands are full of shopping bags.
There is the added benefit of a newspaper holder which will keep your daily editions safe and dry while you get to them in the morning.
Our letterbox can accept an A4 envelope with ease, and it features a safety lid that protects its contents both from our British weather, and from theft.
Easy to clean and maintain, resistant to rust, the I Love Parcels letterbox is a simple solution to an everyday problem.
To sum it up
Letterbox shopping is rarely an exciting and fun affair. After all, it’s just a letterbox.
We’ve made it even easier for you by providing a classic, stylish yet very simple and modern letterbox design that will fit in with the aesthetics of most homes. Take a look, see how you like it, and place an order today – we offer free delivery with all of our products in the UK.
