ᐅ What type of mailbox do you have, and why did you choose it?

Hello everyone,

we are currently planning our single-family home and the topic is the mailbox. My husband would like to have a slot in the front door with a flap on both sides, so the mail can simply be pushed or dropped through. I believe it doesn’t make much sense to install walls that are 46 cm (18 inches) thick and windows with triple glazing for thermal insulation, and then have an entrance door with a 30 x 8 cm (12 x 3 inch) opening in it. Or am I mistaken?

What types of mailboxes do you have, and what are your experiences?

I also don’t like having the mailbox in the door, as it allows for the possibility of unwanted items being thrown directly into the house. I have a completely free-standing mailbox. In the houses I lived in before, the mailboxes were attached to the exterior wall. The clattering noise from mail and newspaper delivery in the mornings used to really annoy me. That’s why I now have a free-standing mailbox in front of the house.

I would no longer include a mail slot in the front door system today. My parents had one, and my house still does for now (until the front door is replaced soon). There is constantly a draft in the hallway or stairwell because newspapers and flyers are not pushed fully through. For this reason, I would definitely choose a freestanding mailbox unit today. There are even options from DHL with an integrated parcel delivery box. I have considered something like that because the DHL parcel courier rarely finds anyone at home—you have to work after all.

There is no parcel locker in our town, so for the moment, I have many packages sent to my parents’ place. Fortunately, they live only a few hundred meters (yards) away and are retired. But even without the parcel option, I would probably stick with the freestanding mailbox. The only reasonable alternative otherwise would be a wall-mounted mailbox.

If you need another reason against the slot:

Increased burglary risk. I can imagine there are individuals who, like a car thief, are skilled at handling a wire. If the door is only pushed closed or latched, it would be an easy opportunity for a burglar.

FrankH schrieb:

There is constantly a draft in the hallway or stairwell because newspapers and flyers are not pushed through.

In my opinion, this is the best argument against having a letter slot in the front door!

Regards, Bauexperte

There are mailboxes from the company Renz designed for installation in side panels, featuring thermally broken fronts, windproof mail slots, and insulated, windproof inner compartments. However, you should expect to pay around 3000 euros for these. Similar products are also available from Siedle. A detailed architectural plan is essential for both options.