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What Type of Residential Mailbox Is the Best For Me?
If you’re moving into a new home or building a new one, you may be wondering which type of residential mailbox is the best for your situation. This guide will help you determine which mailbox is right for you, and will help you start getting USPS delivery in no time.
Check with your HOA, if necessary. If you’ve just moved into a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association, there will likely be guidelines on the type of mailbox you can have. This will eliminate much of the decision-making process for you.
Look at your neighborhood. What types of mailboxes are common where you live? If you live in a suburb where smaller yards are common and wall-mount mailboxes are often seen, you’ll have an idea of what type of mailbox you can have. If you live in a more rural area, you’ll most likely need to get a curbside mailbox. In general, you’ll want your mailbox to match that of the rest of your area.
What will be the easiest for the USPS? If you’re unsure whether you need a wall mount, multi-unit, or curbside mailbox, try to determine which delivery method would be the easiest for the USPS.
- For smaller yards and for neighborhoods where your delivery person walks from house to house, a wall mount mailbox may be the best, provided there are no obstructions between it and the sidewalk. A wall mount mailbox must be easy to see and safe to access.
- For yards with long driveways or rural settings, curbside mailboxes are the best choice. Just make sure to follow all regulations when installing, and make sure your mailbox is on the same side of the road as the others in your vicinity.
- If you’re serving multiple addresses or households, a multi-unit mailbox is a good choice.
Check your weather and neighborhood security. Some areas will require more durable or more secure mailboxes than others. Locking mailboxes will work well if security or mail theft is an issue, and locking models are available for both wall mount and curbside mailboxes. Metal mailboxes are best for areas with tough weather conditions as well.
