What kind of mailbox do you have and why?

Hello,

the topic of the mailbox came up again with us in recent weeks.

Again, because the saying unfortunately proved true: who buys cheap, buys twice - in the truest sense of the word. We originally got a freestanding mailbox with a newspaper compartment (including the two stands) for < 40 euros from the internet. After somewhat complicated assembly, it was set up around November. In January, the anchoring of one of the stand feet broke off, turning the freestanding mailbox into a "mailbox standing in front of the door." In March, the lock gave up - since then, the mailbox has been temporarily closed with tape.

Now - as most of our outdoor area is being done - a new freestanding mailbox is also coming (the supports can be concreted in at the same time). This time we are going with a brand name - but we used price comparison engines on the internet so that the mailbox is about 30% below the normal and hardware store price (not B-stock). I think that with this we will have solved our mailbox problem.

Sometimes cheaper is in the end more expensive after all.

Yes, I have noticed that often too and by now I mostly just don’t bother anymore. Not recently though, I bought myself a small pot for boiling milk for 10€, I thought that would be enough. No way, that crappy thing doesn’t even sit flat on the ceramic stove top, so I bit the bullet and bought another branded one for 22€.

As for the front door etc., I already said that’s not an option. Now the question is whether we’ll go with a freestanding part or integrate the flush-mounted part into the entrance area. The architect wants to know next week (for your information, we don’t even have a hole yet, the tender for the groundwork only goes out tomorrow :rolleyes). The entrance area is going to be quite large, but there are also two light wells on the left and right next to the front door, which is also awkward with a freestanding part.

. Now the question is whether we take a free-standing unit or integrate the flush-mounted part into the entrance area.

Hello,

You should also consider with a flush-mounted solution that if the part ever breaks for whatever reason, you will need to obtain a new part of identical size if you don’t want to tear open "half the wall" and then replaster.

In that case, I would rather choose a free-standing unit or a proper surface-mounted mailbox.

Regards,

Dirk

Now the question remains whether we use a freestanding unit or the flush-mounted mailbox is integrated into the entrance area.

You should also consider with a flush-mounted solution that if the part ever breaks for whatever reason, you will have to organize a new part of identical size if you don’t want to tear open "half the wall" and replaster it.

In that case, I would rather choose a freestanding unit or a proper surface-mounted mailbox.

I personally also prefer a freestanding mailbox. Maybe I’m a bit particular, but I want to avoid any damage to the exterior shell (even though we built stone on stone without exterior insulation systems). For some things it can’t be avoided, but I’m cautious as much as possible. With exterior insulation systems on the house, I would personally see it as even more critical.

Are you building with a garage? Possibly you could attach the mailbox there – after all, you will be riding in there daily when you come home from work. Otherwise, I would place a freestanding mailbox at the property entrance (that’s what we will do).