| What would a house look like without a mailbox? | | | | get ones that suit their tastes on regular retail |
| Most people would likely say incomplete. A | | | | market. They often want ones that will match |
| mailbox, even in the age of the internet and | | | | their homes or say something about them in |
| instant messaging, is something of a permanent | | | | some other way. |
| fixture outside houses, apartments, shops and | | | | People living in apartment buildings do not have |
| even offices. Mailboxes still mean something to | | | | much of a choice though and must go with |
| people and facilitate the postman in his duties of | | | | mailboxes that are usually placed just inside the |
| delivering mail. | | | | entrance of the building. This is often under the |
| Two major types of mailboxes | | | | staircase on the wall. Mailboxes for apartments |
| For the postman, a mailbox at the end of the | | | | are very simple - just a box about a foot high, |
| driveway is most convenient, but the owner must | | | | eight inches wide and three inches deep. Most of |
| walk out to get the mail. Also, mailboxes on the | | | | them are built into the wall by the builder. |
| ends of driveways are sometimes vandalized and | | | | Mailbox security |
| damaged by trucks, snowplows and other | | | | In a world increasingly concerned with security, |
| vehicles accidentally. On the other hand, wall | | | | more and more mailboxes come with locks. |
| mounted mailboxes are not exposed to these | | | | Stainless steel mailboxes are some of the most |
| kinds of hazards and are more convenient for the | | | | secure with everything from the box to the hinge |
| recipients since the mail comes right into their | | | | made of steel. Their locks range from key to |
| homes. However, the type of mailbox one can | | | | combination with newer ones offering RFID |
| choose in this regard is usually decided by the | | | | security chips that allow them to be opened |
| postal route. | | | | remotely. |
| Other mailboxes | | | | While some types of mail are fading away in the |
| Mailboxes are available in variety of designs and | | | | modern world, the traditional mailbox will still likely |
| colors. Even so, most people go for more | | | | have its place for both practical and aesthetic |
| functional designs and simple colors. Considering | | | | purposes for a long time. When choosing a |
| the fact that most mailboxes are outside, the | | | | mailbox, keep in mind both its practical and |
| first priority should be to find a study box that | | | | aesthetic values, and that it will be around fulfilling |
| can take some abuse while keeping the mail safe. | | | | its duties well into the future. |
| Homeowners can get designer mailboxes or just | | | | |