A wall mounted mailbox is a mail receptacle mounted on the side of a house with a wall mount. While they’re not nearly as common as curbside residential mailboxes, a wall-mount mailbox is convenient since it eliminates the walk to the street and back. Unfortunately, that also makes it less convenient for your mail carrier to deliver your mail. If you’re interested in getting a wall-mounted mailbox, you need to consider a couple of things.
What are the Benefits of a Wall Mounted Mailbox?
- Bad Weather: Wall-mounted mailboxes are typically mounted on the exterior of your home near the front door. This means they are usually sheltered from bad weather, such as rain, preventing your mail from being ruined.
- Convenience: Wall-mounted mailboxes are also convenient since you don’t need to leave your porch to get your mail.
- Security: Many people choose wall-mounted mailboxes because they come with a lock. Also, since they are near your front porch and not out by the road, people are less comfortable stealing mail when they have to come onto your property to do it.
- House Appeal: There are many interesting, unique wall-mounted mailboxes. Some people even use them just for home decor.
How Do You Install a Wall Mounted Mailbox?
The first step is to measure and mark on the wall where you want your mailbox to be. If the mailbox does not come with a mounting bracket, you’ll need to mark where to put the hanging screws and make sure they’re level. Suppose the wall you’re mounting your mailbox on is brick. In that case, you can drill holes using a hammer drill and a carbide-tip masonry bit. After you drill the holes, clear out the dust with your finger, a rag, or a vacuum, then tap the plastic screw anchors into the wall. Then you can place the mounting bracket or hanging screws. If you are installing your mailbox into a wooden wall, hammers and nails are the most common method in place of screws.
How Do Wall Mounted Mailboxes Compare to Other Mailboxes?
While wall-mounted mailboxes may be appealing, there are other kinds of mailboxes with more detail, such as architectural mailboxes. So how do you know which one is for you? Below we’ll cover a quick guide to the different kinds of mailboxes and why you may prefer those.
Mailslot: Mailslots are only available for postal areas with walk-up mail delivery. They are cheap, affordable, and are loved for their security since your mail is deposited directly into your home.
Post Mount Mailbox: Post Mount Mailboxes are the most common and perfect for a curbside mailbox. These mailboxes are one of the most customizable residential mailboxes, with various colors, sizes, designs, and security options.
Column Mounted Mailbox: These mailboxes are considered free-standing and are encased in a column of brick, stone, concrete, or stucco. These mailboxes are professional looking and can match the material the house is made of. They usually have large capacities and room for house numbers alongside them.
Package Drop Boxes: These mailboxes are larger boxes on poles, much larger than a post-mount mailbox. They are secure and usually come with anti-theft and anti-pry features. These mailboxes are large enough to hold small packages as well as mail. They're perfect for travelers since they can simultaneously hold multiple days' worth of mail.
How Can I Customize My Mailbox?
Mailboxes can be bought in various designs and materials. They can be painted any specific color, mounted on decorations, or decorated. However, keep in mind there are some regulations by the postmaster for your mailboxes. These include the house number being easily readable in your mailbox for easy delivery.
What are the Regulations for Wall Mounted Mailboxes?
Before you install a wall-mounted mailbox, there are regulations that must be met, or your mail cannot legally be delivered to you. Here are a couple of steps you should take to make sure your mailbox is up to code.
- If you are changing to a wall-mounted mailbox from a different style, you need to get your postmaster's permission to change the style of your mailbox.
- Check your local regulations for size. Having a large wall mount mailbox could be good if you have lots of mail, but it all depends on local regulations. You want your mailbox to hold at least one day’s mail delivery, including postcards, letters, and magazines.
- Install your mailbox only for things that are delivered with postage. Wall mailboxes are not for newspapers, etc.
- Make sure your mailbox is easy to see. It should not be behind any decorations or vegetation.
- Make sure your mailbox can be easily and safely accessed, especially as a locking wall mount mailbox. Make sure the mail slot works properly. Any obstructions, such as icy walkways or aggressive dogs, must be avoided near the mailbox.
- When installing your mailbox, ensure it is between 41 and 45 inches from the ground or the bottom of your porch.
How Can I Keep a Wall Mounted Mailbox Secure?
Mail thieves are everywhere. According to the United States Postal Inspection Service, nearly 2,500 people were arrested for mail theft in 2018. Fortunately, there are ways to secure your mailbox to prevent your sensitive personal information from being stolen:
- Anti-Pry Latches: These prevent thieves from using screwdrivers or pry bars to access your mailbox.
- Key Locks: These are locks that require a key to access. However, be sure not to lose the key.
- Anti-drill mechanisms: These are built into the mailbox and prevent thieves from drilling into your mailbox.
- Combination Locks: A locking mailbox can be opened with a series of numbers. While you don’t have to worry about losing a key, be sure not to forget the combination.
- Mailslot: If your mailbox has a slot the mail is inserted into, you need to make sure it’s big enough for the mail to be inserted but small enough that someone can’t reach inside and grab it.
- Security Cameras: Security cameras can be placed on your house, in trees, or inside the mailbox so you can see who is accessing your mail or if anyone has tampered with it.
- Mailbox Alarm: Some transmitters on the market will alert you when your mail is delivered or alert you when your mailbox has been opened. You'll know if someone opens your mailbox when it's not supposed to.
- Delivery Notifications: You can go to the USPS website to sign up for delivery notifications. These are mailbox alarms that alert you when your mail has been delivered. That way, you can retrieve your mail immediately and leave a smaller window of opportunity for would-be thieves.
When considering the security of your mailbox, you should also get a sturdy and durable mailbox. A specialized lock won’t help if your mailbox can be smashed open, or rain can get inside and ruin your mail. Anyone can be at risk for a burglary, and it’s important to do what you can to keep your sensitive mail as secure as possible with these tips for decades to come.
How Can ModernAspect Help Me?
Modern Aspect provides curb-appealing products to keep your home beautiful. They offer a variety of planters, address plaques, mailboxes, potted plants, and other detail services. Check out their wall mounted mailboxes to keep your house looking good with their themed and matching outdoor home decor.