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Original poster

Wall-mounted letterbox - any thoughts?

27 replies

WoolyMammoth55 · 05/09/2020 13:47

Hi all,

Sorry so dull but we'd be grateful for any thoughts :) We've got a lovely vintage front door and just noticed (observant much?) that there's no cut out for letterbox.

I'm remembering my draughty childhood letterbox and feeling reluctant to cut one in to the beautiful solid door.

So considering leaving it and getting a wall-mounted one like this:
cdn.notonthehighstreet.com/fs/76/55/a7b9-9d2c-4802-8355-050876996449/original_lulworth-blue-post-box-with-lock.jpg

Anyone got any experience of these? Do posties complain? Does the rain get in and drench your mail?

Be grateful for any thoughts, thanks!

OP posts:
LadyGAgain · 05/09/2020 13:51

We just got rid of ours. It was a total PITA. Larger items didn't fit and having to open it to get mail out was irritating. That said, I too would be reluctant to cut into a vintage door so I appreciate your dilemma and maybe a separate letter box is the lesser of 2 evils! No wet mail BTW.

Wowcherarestalkingme · 05/09/2020 13:54

We have one and had no issues with it. The only thing is sometimes I forget to check it

Nacreous · 05/09/2020 13:58

We had a box for the letter box and it was fine, stuff didn't get wet. Unless the postie couldn't fit it in the box so put it underneath or shoved it in and left the top open... There's now a box for small parcels underneath it but that only works because it's very rural and out of sight so theft very unlikely.

picklemewalnuts · 05/09/2020 14:04

We have a wall mounted one because the dog chews anything that comes through the door. It's great. Anything that fits through the door fits in this. Only problem is long trips away when it can fill up, and rigid post that doesn't flop over on hitting the back.

No complaints from the postie at all.

Hie2021 · 05/09/2020 14:24

We have one, it works fine.
You can get one that doesn’t let rain in and nothing has ever got wet in it. Why would posties complain? It’s a letterbox.

Cherrypies · 05/09/2020 14:30

Been a godsend, two dogs ripping up anything that comes through the letterbox, this way can read the letters, and postie's fingers are intact!

mommybear1 · 05/09/2020 15:07

We had the same issue in our renovation home - outside box is great post doesn't get wet and posties usually prefer it as they don't have to bend Grin. As a pp said my only issue is I sometimes forget to check it Blush.

Original poster
WoolyMammoth55 · 05/09/2020 15:08

Thanks all! Much appreciated.

Anyone able to share your specific recommended model? Be useful to reassure DH! :)

OP posts:
shouldhavethoughtthisthrough · 05/09/2020 15:22

Get one with a top opening slot. Posties hate the ones with the front flap!! The one you have linked is ok but I don't think the slot stretches right across the top. Parcel boxes are big but super for large letters/amazon packets etc

thegcatsmother · 05/09/2020 15:26

We cemented over our letter box into the porch. Having been abroad for 13 years, and using a wall mounted box, it made sense to do the same here. Far easier than soggy post on the floor, and no wind whistling around the porch either!

Spanglybangles · 05/09/2020 15:32

We too have the problem of the dog grabbing the mail out of posties hand, as our letterbox is at floor level. We have therefore just installed a wall mounted box a few days ago. So far though, the postie has continued to use the letterbox. Hmm

Hopefully the postie will suss things out soon and my postbox will not have been a waste of money!! We have this one

Sterling Elegance Wall Mounted Galvanised Steel Lockable Weatherproof Post Box - 36x31x10cm - Chartwell Green www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083VN74R3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ub6uFb7805RHE?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Spanglybangles · 05/09/2020 15:36

Oh crap @shouldhavethoughtthisthrough it’s the front flap one I’ve just installed...this is maybe why the postie isn’t using it 😩

LizB62A · 05/09/2020 15:44

Lots of people round here have wall mounted letterboxes.
Unfortunately these seem to be magnets for thieves - for the most recent one the resident checked their Ring doorbell and found the thief had been there a few days before, took a photo of it (to get a key cut, we think) then came back with a key and stole the post.

So, if you get one, make sure it really is safe - even the lockable ones often only have very basic locks which are easy to get keys for

Defender90 · 05/09/2020 16:33

We have a Barbantia one attached to the fence.

Decent size slot and small parcels fit in no bother.

shouldhavethoughtthisthrough · 05/09/2020 16:49

@Spanglybangles posties go into automatic mode so if it's new they might just not have noticed it, maybe put a wee note saying 'please use the box'

NotMeNoNo · 06/09/2020 07:31

Ours is something like this with a lift up lid for the poster to use.
here
Not the exact model. No problems with water although post left for a long time will get a bit of damp from the air.

Its waterptmlroof

MrsCollinssettled · 06/09/2020 07:41

Neighbour has one but it's very easy to put your hand in to retrieve mail (opening at top) Long letters can stick out of the top. Not very secure IMO.

Original poster
WoolyMammoth55 · 06/09/2020 10:05

Thanks all!

We're a pretty low-crime, low-asbo area and it'll be fitted right underneath our front security light... I realise if we were away for more than a few days we'd need to leave a key with a neighbour to keep an eye/empty it for us.

In terms of security, what post are criminals most trying to steal? We are actually home a fair amount in the usual run of things so if they ring the bell with a parcel we should be able to get it... Our bank statements are all online now so I can't really think what would be worth while stealing - anyone know?

Thanks again for all the thoughts and replies :)

OP posts:
FurierTransform · 06/09/2020 11:43

I have a wall mounted letterbox. It drives me nuts and I hate it. Can't wait to get a regular large letterbox in the door again. If you get a decent Victorian letterplate style one with a good spring it won't be draughty.

Rolllinginthedeep · 04/01/2021 15:59

we purchased this one:

iloveparcels.com/product/medium-front-access-wall-mountable-secure-parcel-box-grey/

with the number of parcels we have delivered now, we felt this is the best choice. These are very well made and keep everything dry!

sosotired1 · 04/01/2021 18:20

We have one a bit like this and it's brilliant, most parcels fit. Wouldn't have a letterbox now. We do have security cameras though too and live in a very safe area:

www.screwfix.com/p/sterling-heavy-duty-secure-parcel-box-black-powder-coated/556HH?kpid=556HH&ds_kid=92700058176431695&ds_rl=1244072&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlsv_BRDtARIsAHMGVSacnOgJcVsx4aUMS7y1ZRYMDFvAOJPiuggAGE7rnu6QzkglkCKDzf0aAt9REALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

PigletJohn · 05/01/2021 10:18

you can cut a hole in the wall and fit an ordinary letter slot, preferably delivering into a box or cage inside. If it is well away from the doorhandle and keyhole, it can be quite generously sized. An internal box with a door will block draughts.

milkmaid · 10/12/2021 11:37

We have one from these guys -
www.letterbox4you.co.uk/product-category/wall-mounted-post-boxes/

Really sturdy and no problems with rain getting in. Better than a draughty hole in the door any day!

They did have those ones that go through your wall or bigger boxes for parcels too which might come in handy if we are going to be avoiding going out to the shops again!

amyboo · 10/12/2021 13:27

Where I live no one has a letterbox in the door. We never have any problems with wet mail or things not fitting... We have a brabantia one, but it's similar to this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sterling-Trent-Steel-Postbox-black/dp/B001VRSWW4/ref=mpssa1122?crid=3MRCAA55AF4D3&keywords=brabantia+letterbox&qid=1639142763&sprefix=brabantia+lette%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-22