The best dual door mailbox in 2022 (2023)

FAQs

Which is better for a mailbox? ›

Galvanized Steel: The ultimate choice in durable mailbox materials, galvanized steel takes the durability of regular steel to another level. Coated with a thin layer of zinc, this material is resistant to corrosion and can handle moisture well with one exception: salt water.

If you generally receive an average volume of mail, a small to medium-sized mailbox may be perfect for you. However, if you frequently receive high volumes of mail or larger parcels, you may want to consider upgrading to a larger mailbox with greater storage capacity.

Steel can be scratched, dinged, and bent but not lose its own structural integrity. However, weather and other elements cause steel to be susceptible to rust and other damage. Aluminum mailboxes can be a little more expensive than steel but are rust-resistant and last much longer than steel.

As for the material, metal is a durable, strong choice for a mailbox. It's tough, attractive looking, and great for long-term use. You'll be able to use your metal mailbox for years and even decades to come. Many of these mailboxes are weatherproof and rust-resistant, allowing them to last even longer.

U.S. Postal Service: When you first install a mailbox, you must contact your local postal provider who explains where your box must be placed to comply with their normal delivery route. You must use a U.S. Postal Service approved mailbox. The mailbox must be placed 42 to 48 inches above ground level.

Choose a reasonable height for your mailbox, with space between your door and any windows around it. Typically, you should aim for a 41" - 45" mailbox height above the porch, sidewalk, or road surface to match post-mount length regulations.

Using a post hole digger, dig a hole at the marked spot deep enough so that the height of your mailbox is about 42 inches above the surface. You should not dig more than 24 inches deep.

Thieves are stealing paper checks from mailboxes, "washing" them with nail polish remover, and filling in new amounts and payees — causing endless grief for victims and their banks, which typically foot the bill.

Note: A mailbox with a lock must have a slot that is large enough to accommodate your daily mail volume. The Postal Service™ neither opens a locked box nor accepts a key for this purpose.

What is the best color for a mailbox? ›

White and black are great contrasting colors for a mailbox. The red flag stands out and the addition of solar lights makes it easy to see at night. White is always a good choice to make it look clean and fresh!

3.10 Color - The color of the mailbox and flag must be in accordance with the following requirements. The mailbox may be any color. The carrier signal flag can be any color except any shade of green, brown, white, yellow or blue. The preferred flag color is fluorescent orange.

Mailbox Height and Placement Rules

Your mailbox door must be 6 to 8 inches from the curb when closed. Your mailbox must face outward and be placed on the right-hand side of the road.

The Admiral mailbox is constructed from durable aluminum that will never rust, and features a richly textured powder coated finish for added corrosion resistance.

Though plastic is generally waterproof, metal tends to be a slightly better choice for mailboxes. The most durable designs are typically made of galvanized steel1 or powder-coated aluminum,2 both of which are resistant to rust and corrosion, holding up exceptionally well in various climates.

A mailbox post doesn't have to be set in concrete, but it's a good idea — concrete serves as a strong foundation for the post, making it a sturdy option for your mailbox. How Deep Should a Post Be Set in Concrete? In general, the depth of the concrete post hole should be 1/3 to 1/2 the height of the post.

To replace your curbside mailbox with a wall-mounted mailbox, you must get your local postmaster's permission. Choose from a variety of mailbox sizes and styles; mounted mailboxes are not required to have a PMG seal of approval. Place the mailbox near the main entrance so your mail carrier can easily see it.

It's broken, damaged, or has operational issues

Some of the most common mount mailbox defects include holes, a door that doesn't close properly, or a missing or damaged flag. If you find these issues, it's time that you replace your mailbox with a new one.

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) explains that mailboxes should, when feasible, be installed on the right side of the road so that couriers can easily pull over to drop off and collect mail.

Who owns the property around a mailbox? ›

In the United States, mailboxes are considered federal property to protect against mail theft, mail tampering and vandalism.

Step 1: Dig the Post Hole

The hole should be 3 time the width of your post. If your post is 4 inches wide, the hole should be 12 inches in diameter. It is also recommended you add about 6 inches of compact gravel to the bottom of the hole.

Mail Support Group – Brace Yourself (And Your Mailbox)

The diagonal brace is cut with a 45° angle on each end. The brace is attached with two 3-1/2” lag screws.

The standard mailbox dimensions are 6" – 20'' tall, 6" – 20'' wide, and 10" – 20'' deep.

Mailbox Height:

According to USPS standards, a mailbox must be installed so the bottom of the mailbox is between 41 inches and 45 inches above the highway shoulder.

Dig deep enough that the height of your mailbox above the ground is around 42 inches. Do not dig deeper than 24 inches.

If a mailpiece that is addressed to a PO Box must be signed for, or is too large to fit in the box, the Post Office™ will place in your box either: A key to a larger storage locker within the same facility (for a larger item)

You can make your own mailbox post by cutting a 4 by 4 in (10 by 10 cm) piece of wood to size. It should be around 65 inches (170 cm) in length, with the cut end sitting in the hole. Make sure your chosen mailbox post is weather-treated so that it won't rot or disintegrate in the elements.

Internal Mail Theft

The overwhelming majority of USPS employees work conscientiously to deliver the nation's mail. Unfortunately, a small number of employees abuse the public's trust by delaying or stealing the mail. OIG Special Agents work diligently to identify and investigate these crimes.

“Community mailboxes are a target for thieves because they can steal multiple pieces of mail at one location, and most of the time, those mailboxes are not monitored by any cameras,” explains the police department's Ty Wood.

How do I vandal proof my mailbox? ›

A vandal proof mailbox should be securely placed in the ground with either an In-Ground or Surface Mount Steel Mounting Post, and then secured with concrete or heavy-duty mounting bolts.

No, If the Mailboxes Are the Property of Postal Service

So, before installing CCTV cameras for mailboxes, it is best to give your local mail offices a ring and ask them whether it is legal for you to put one inside and outside the mailboxes.

USPS also has a free service that sends you emails to notify you of any incoming mail. PEMCO says it is worth buying a locking mailbox, but remember no mail box is fool proof. Make sure to take other steps to protect your mail and information from being stolen.

Locks cannot be used on contemporary or traditional mailbox designs. USPS carriers do not open locked mailboxes and do not accept mailbox keys.

Many people ask us if their postal carrier will need a key if they buy a locking mailbox. The answer is no. In fact, letter carriers are not allowed to carry a key for residential mailboxes.

Yes, USPS workers are equipped with a master key to access key keepers, mailboxes, and lock boxes.

Cluster Box Mailboxes for Postal Carriers

The postal carrier uses a proprietary Arrow lock to open the unit's entire front panel, providing access to every individual mailbox. The USPS is responsible for installing and maintaining the Arrow locks.

That stands for “No Mail Receptacle”. It would automatically be returned back to the sender. If you do this, put a sign up indicating that you no longer have a mailbox for USPS to deliver.

The purpose of the Little Red Mailbox is to share thoughts or messages to help brighten someone's day; someone who may be going through a tough time or needs some inspiration.

The USPS allows for the use of curbside mailboxes in any color. You can choose a traditional color like black, white or brown, or you can choose a more modern color like green, red or blue. There are currently no restrictions regarding the color of curbside mailboxes in the United States.

How can I make my mailbox look good? ›

You can decorate a metal mailbox with spray paint, vinyl number or monogram decals, or line the inside with contact paper liner in a fun color or pattern. To update the look of a plain metal mailbox, consider adding a new mailbox post or decorating around your mailbox area with potted or planted flowers.

Standard Collection Box Receptacle (Blue Box)

A blue painted street box with the USPS® logo used by the public to deposit mail.

In addition to being at least 1 inch tall, address numbers should be placed on the front of the curbside mailbox or the side featuring the signal flag. All curbside mailboxes must have a signal flag. Also known as a carrier signal flag, it's used to alert mail couriers about the presence of outgoing mail.

The mailbox rule (also called the posting rule), which is the default rule under contract law for determining the time at which an offer is accepted, states that an offer is considered accepted at the time that the acceptance is communicated (whether by mail e-mail, etc).

To help prevent possible delay, nondelivery, misdelivery, or loss of mail, the names of everyone who receives mail through your mailbox should appear either on the outside or inside of the box.

Among these species, cedar wood is highly recommended by The MailboxWorks for wood mailbox post applications. Cedar Wood Posts – Unlike the harder woods above, cedar wood is easy to work with, easy to find, affordable, and resists both rot and infestation.

Concrete provides a strong and stable foundation for most U.S. Post Office mailboxes. Mix the concrete according to the package directions. As you fill around the post, use a level to ensure the mailbox post remains perfectly straight.

3.10 Color - The color of the mailbox and flag must be in accordance with the following requirements. The mailbox may be any color. The carrier signal flag can be any color except any shade of green, brown, white, yellow or blue. The preferred flag color is fluorescent orange.

The Federal Highway Administration recommends: A 4″ x 4″ wooden support or a 2″-diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe. Avoid unyielding and potentially dangerous supports, like heavy metal pipes, concrete posts, and farm equipment (e.g., milk cans filled with concrete). Bury your post no more than 24″ deep.

How long will a cedar mailbox post last? ›

However, in a damp environment, cedar posts may only last for 5-10 years before showing signs of rot. The type of cedar used can also affect the longevity of the post, with some species of cedar lasting longer than others.

Mailbox Height:

According to USPS standards, a mailbox must be installed so the bottom of the mailbox is between 41 inches and 45 inches above the highway shoulder.

Ferns: If you have a deeply shaded area around your mailbox, ferns are a way to go. Salvia: Salvias are available in both annual and perennial types, and they thrive in dry, sunny conditions. They also are a magnet for butterflies. Hostas: These can be a great choice for shady areas.

Prime – Apply one coat of primer to the mailbox.

With a metal mailbox, you'll want to use an anti-rust primer and paint, will help keep the mailbox from rusting. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on preparation, application, drying times, and clean up.

Wood can dry out very quickly, especially an older post which has been out in all types of weather. It is a good idea to give the wooden mailbox post a coat of stain and seal before the summer sun gets at it.

Most mailbox posts will need 2 bags of Quikrete to set, but before starting use this calculator to determine how many bags you need!

As revealed here, the USPS requires all curbside mailboxes to feature a sealed design that prevents moisture intrusion. If moisture is allowed to enter a mailbox, it may damage either the mailbox itself or the mail.

Form a concrete base approximately 17.75 inches wide by 14 inches deep. You may form the rectangle out of wood or even compacted dirt to surround your concrete slab.

You basically just “screw” the anchor into the ground using a 20″ crossbar for leverage, which is included with the kit. After the anchor is screwed into the ground, you set your wood post on the bracket and attach it using 5 lag bolts. The bracket has pre-drilled holes and the bolts are included.

You want the concrete to be buried below the ground. Fill the hole around the tube with about a foot of gravel and the rest with dirt. Pack it down as you go. Set the post into the tube and measure the height above the road.