Mailboxes come in many different shapes and sizes, and not all provide
the same convenience. That means it's important to choose the right kind of mailbox
for you. Not sure what to pick? Here are the pros and cons of the major mailbox
types:
Residential
curbside mailboxes
This is the most common kind of mailbox, and it's what most people think
of when they hear the word "mailbox." A residential curbside mailbox
is the archetypal variety located at the end of the driveway where the mailman
can drive right up and drop off mail. Typically, residential
curbside mailboxes are attached to a vertical post and have a
weatherproof box with a closing door on the front. The main advantage is that
these boxes have a "flag" that can let the mailman know there's mail
to pick up, making it easier to send, as well as receive, mail.
A potential disadvantage of the residential curbside mailbox is that you
have to leave the house to get to it, which may not be pleasant in inclement
weather. However, this can also be a plus – after a heavy snowstorm, you do not
need to clear your driveway and walkway to receive mail, because the mailman
does not have to walk up to the door. This can also be good for dog owners who
don't want a barking fit every afternoon when the mailman comes.
Door slots
Door slots are the older type of home mail receptacle and are more common
in Europe, as well as larger American cities where space is limited. In an
urban environment, it may be problematic to crowd the sidewalk with curbside
mailboxes, so a mail slot in the door makes a good alternative. The advantage
with these is that they take up no space and weather is not a factor. But to
send mail, you have to hang it outside the door and hope the mailman sees it –
not exactly ideal. Another disadvantage is that, depending on the design, a
mail slot could allow a stranger to peek into your home. They may also cause
drafts near the door.
Lobby
mailboxes
Multi-unit buildings almost never have individual mail delivery to each
unit. Instead, a set of lockable mailboxes in the lobby allow a central mail
drop-off point for the whole building. The biggest advantage to this method is
security: your mail is put into a locked box and cannot be stolen. The biggest
disadvantage is that this is delivery-only and you have to go to the lobby to
get your mail.
What kind of mailbox do you prefer? Why?
