Mail Boxes
Most people shopping for a mail box look to the color, shape and overall style first, when really the first thing you need to determine is where the mailbox is going to be placed. Will it be a stand-alone style or will you be mounting it to the house proper? Sometimes your neighborhood determines the location (i.e. everyone has roadside mailboxes or everyone has house hung boxes). In this case the question becomes a little easier.
A mailbox which mounts on a post curb side
A mailbox mounted on a post normally go at the curb of a person’s driveway. The post will have to be sunk down, and it’s generally a good idea to add a little concrete so it stays put. By comparison a wall mount requires screws for installation and solid wood behind it so it doesn’t come down with weighty mail.
As for materials there are a lot of options. Two of the most popular are aluminum and galvanized steel. The aluminum doesn’t rust, and the steel is ideal if your mailbox takes a lot of abuse. Depending on where you shop, however, you might feel these are too cookie cutter looking and don’t really reflect a personal touch.
If you’re thinking of plastic, look for double wall construction. There’s also brass mailboxes, but be prepared to put in some elbow grease to maintain this type of box. Having said that, the visual effect is very chic. Finally, you could get a more rustic cedar. Be aware that you will have to put a protective coating on this type of mailbox every year so it doesn’t fall apart from exposure to the elements.
A unit mounted on the house
The size of a new mail box should be determined by how much mail it needs to hold. If you have a home based business, for example, and plan on it growing, choose a box that has a little more space to accommodate that growth.
Color and finish are pretty much personal taste, whereas security depends upon how safe your neighborhood is. A lot of mailboxes now offer a simple locking system or the option of adding a heavier duty lock so your mail remains private.
Finally, before you leave the store check the mailbox you’ve chosen to see what other hardware you may need. If you purchased an anchor mount, for example, you’ll be wanting concrete. If you purchased a house-mount, then the screws are probably included with the box!
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