If you are in the process of changing your door letterbox, you might find yourself more confused than you assumed. Hey, you’re far from alone – replacing letterboxes isn’t as straightforward as most of us would assume. The process can be quite time-consuming. You might be struggling with things like finding the right size or finding a compatible door letterbox with your door type – it’s frustrating, right?
We reached out to locksmithing experts at Lock & Key Bradford for advice on selecting a door letterbox. As experts in all things to do with doors and locks, we wanted professional insight into how to choose the correct letterboxes. This guide, infused with their advice, should help you answer some questions you might not have thought about. By the end, hopefully, you’ll be in a better position to go and buy the right door letterbox for your home!
Choosing The Right Door Letterbox: Harder Than It Seems
Like many minor improvements we can make to our homes, choosing a door letterbox should be easy – it’s just swapping out one front door letterbox for another, right? Should be a piece of cake!
Sadly, many of us find that we come up against a few confusing barriers. Choosing the right letterbox takes time because you need to consider important questions. Before buying, ask yourself:
- Does my new door letterbox match the aesthetic of my door? Will it match its design?
- What about material? Do the materials of my new letterboxes contrast or clash too much?
- Colours matter, too – can I say with confidence that this new colour scheme matches up?
- How durable is my new door letterbox going to be? Is it thick, flimsy, or in-between here?
- How often will the letterbox be used? Do I need something more suitable for everyday use?
- What about security features? Do I need anti-snap or anti-fishing add-ons included?
These questions alone should cover some – but not all – of the queries you need to take into account. Buying a door letterbox is a confusing process because you also need to think about size. Unless you want to start cutting into your door to create a wider letterbox, you ideally need letterbox covers that match the size of your current fitting.
And, if you do need to cut more space into the letterbox (or create a letterbox space from scratch)? Well, it would be best to hire a professional. A locksmith or joiner should be able to do this for you. If you try to self-create the gap, or widen the gap you already have, you need to buy specific tools and make sure you don’t make a mistake, otherwise you’ll probably need to invest in a whole new door!
The Key Factors To Consider When Choosing A Door Letterbox
Generally, buying new letterboxes means you need to do your research. This isn’t as simple as just going to the local hardware store and picking up the first door letterbox you see. Consider things like:
The Size Of The Door Letterbox
We covered this above, but it bears repeating here: size matters. Most letterboxes in the UK are around 250mm by 70mm, which is the standard size. That said, it’s not always the case; you might have a specifically designed letterbox or something smaller than this. If you are buying a door letterbox for a commercial space or a bulkier door, you might need something even larger.
Also, don’t forget about depth. You need to make sure that your new door letterbox is going to be able to attach to both sides, not just one. If the screws that connect the letterboxes are not long enough to connect the front and back, you could end up with a letterbox that is unnecessarily flimsy and weak.
The Materials Of The Letterbox
You also need to make sure that your door letterbox is capable of lasting for years to come, which means taking the time to choose between different materials. Installing the correct front door letterbox means you are less likely to experience wear and tear, compatibility issues, and corrosion.
Aluminium letterboxes are a common choice because they are known to be rust-resistant and relatively lightweight. They are ideal for doors in areas with plenty of salt in the air, like coastal properties.
Stainless steel door letterboxes are very common, too. They are modern, sleek, minimalist, and very easy to keep in condition. Make sure that it is weather-protected, though, as cheaper models usually aren’t.
For those with a UPVC door, get an ABS plastic door letterbox. This is the best choice because it’s cheap, lightweight, easy to install, and designed specifically for UPVC doors. They are also weather-resistant, so they are less likely to wear out as other door letterbox options do.
Insulation Features
Insulation is easily ignored in a door letterbox, but those little draught excluders and bristles are quite important. They make your door less noisy when the letterbox is opened and mail drops through, and it also helps to limit the risk of drafts flowing through your letterbox. It’s also ideal for privacy, as it prevents people from opening your letterbox and peering inside.
Security Protections
Another important consideration when buying a door letterbox is security. Anti-fishing and anti-snap features are common on many new door letterboxes. Anti-fishing stops someone from reaching through the letterbox, so they cannot tamper with locks or hunt for keys near the door. We recommend this as a must-have feature for your new letterboxes.
Also, make sure that your door letterbox has solid fixing points included as part of the installation. This makes the letterbox far less susceptible to blunt-force removal or physical impact, prolonging its longevity.
Matching The Right Letterboxes To Your Door
It’s not easy to make the right choice, so take your time. Review based on the style of door you have, the features you require, and the materials that are likely to be compatible with your door type and your local conditions. Set a clear budget, and be willing to spend a little more on high-security door letterboxes. Buy the right letterbox today, and you won’t be worrying about replacements for a while!
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