Standard Mail Slot Dimensions
A residential wall mail slot offers the ultimate in convenience for homeowners lucky enough to still receive walk-up mail delivery.
- Model #: 4035B Size: 8.75″W x 2.75″H Weight: 2 lbs Availability: IN STOCK, usually ships within 1-2 days Standard, deluxe and vertical mail slots are made of brass and are available in three (3) popular finishes. Standard, deluxe and vertical mail slots may be used for U.S.P.S. Residential door mail delivery.
- 1954: The Department approved a third, medium size of the standard, tunnel-shaped rural mailbox: No. 1A, which was approximately 21 inches long by 8 inches wide by 10 ½ inches high, with a letter slot in the door. 1956: The Department permitted deviations from the design specifications, if.
Made of brass, two (2) piece standard mail slots have a spring-loaded flap for the front of a solid door or wall and inside trim for the rear. Standard mail slots are available in two (2) sizes, letter size and magazine size, and three (3) popular finishes. Standard mail slots may be used for U.S.P.S. Residential door mail delivery.
When installing a wall mail slot mailbox you can choose either:
Door Mounted – Bursting forth with nostalgia, a door mail slot mailbox can be installed through a front door (or garage door).
Through Wall – Your wall mail slot mailbox can be installed through the wall of your home.
An exterior mail slot cover (or lid) covers the mail slot so that the home remains insulated against the elements. USPS mailbox guidelines require any horizontal mail slot to be hinged at the top and any vertical mail slot to be hinged on the opposite side from the door’s hinges (if mounted on a door).
When the postal carrier walks up to the house, the mail carrier simply lifts the lid on residential mail slots to insert the mail. The mail passes through your door (or wall for wall mounted door slots) and lies securely on the inside of your home, either on the floor or in a mail slot collection box.
Advantages of a Residential Mail Drop Slot
European Home Mail Slot
While residential mail slots are only advisable for postal areas with walk up delivery, the advantages of these thru-wall and thru door slot mailboxes are three-fold:
- Residential mail slots are often far more secure than non-locking post mount or wall mount mailboxes.
- Mail slots are less expensive.
- Mail slots do not require the homeowner to exit their home to retrieve their mail.
For disabled persons or elderly persons with mobility challenges, this third advantage of mail slot mailboxes is hands-down the most significant, as their mail can be collected from the security and comfort of their home.
Ordering A Slot Mailbox
When buying residential mail slots, take time to consider these three factors:
- Mail slot size
- Mail slot finish
- Whether or not to accessorize your with an indoor collection box
Mail Slot Size
The size of your installed mail slot should be large enough to accommodate large envelopes, magazine subscriptions, or small parcels, and according to the USPS mail slot requirements, the mail slot size should be at least 1 ½ by 7 inches in size.
Mail Slot Finish
The finish of your mail slot should match or complement the finish of your door or wall hardware. For example, if you have a door entry hardware with a natural patina brass finish, consider selecting a brass mail slot with a natural patina finish or consider a high contrast to that brass finish to avoid finishes that clash.
Mail Slot Accessories
If having your mail scattered across a heavily trafficked floor area is a safety concern, an indoor mail collection box accessory or simple drop basket inside the home is advisable. Additionally, indoor mail collection accessories are also recommended when the floor surface (such as soft wood flooring) can be easily damaged by the regular delivery of parcels or packages that might scratch or ding it.
New Installation Considerations
Investing the time to consider these three factors can also augment the success of installing your mail slot in a new location:
Standard T Slot Dimensions
- Check with your postmaster
- Ensure proper mail slot height
- Consider an interior hood installation
Consult with Your Postmaster
First, check with your local postmaster to ensure that your wall mail slot is a viable option for mail delivery to your home. While a trip to any of Europe’s great cities and to many of North America’s large east coast cities quickly validates the popularity of mail slot mailboxes (they are called letter boxes in Europe), mail slots are less common in the vast majority of North America. So, take the time to ensure walk up mail delivery is available to your residence before purchasing a mail slot for your home.
Correct Mail Slot Height
Second, the USPS requires that when installed, the bottom of your residential mail slot must be at least 30” above the floor. While there is no height restriction posted by the USPS, it is advisable that the mail slot be mounted at a height that allows the postal carrier to easily deliver your mail without reaching too high or stooping too low.
Interior Hood Installation
Additionally, to ensure the mail flows smoothly through the mail slot upon delivery, the USPS requires that if an interior hood is utilized for privacy, the hooded portion should not be below the bottom of the outside plate on the horizontal mail slot. For vertical mail slots, the hood should not extend beyond the side of the outside plate on the same side as the door’s hinges. Finally, regardless of orientation, the interior privacy hood should not project more than 2 1/16” beyond the inside of the door.
Mail Slot Brands
To shop the largest inventory of residential wall mail slots, browse the selections available at The MailboxWorks, North America’s largest retailer of all types of mailboxes – commercial and residential.
Auth Florence Mail Slots
The MailboxWorks features the elegantly simple aluminum mail slot created by Auth Florence, which meets all the USPS regulations regarding mail slots. Florence mail slots are available in eleven beautiful powder coated finishes including antique copper, antique bronze, black, gold, silver speck, and more. Additionally, Florence mail slots are offered with optional engraving on the mail slot door so homeowners can have their address or name engraved right on their mail slot.
European Home Mail Slots
The MailboxWorks also offers a European Home mail slot that resonates with a strong modern, contemporary design palate. These corrosion resistant stainless steel mail slots are handcrafted with a stunning satin-brushed finish and meet all USPS standards. Order your mail slot with a mail collection box for a complete mail slot system.
Streetscape Mail Slots
Additionally, The MailboxWorks also features a Streetscape Executive mail slot that is handmade by artisans in the United States. The Streetscape Executive mail slots also meet USPS standards and feature a unique patina brass finish that requires no maintenance. No two of these brass mail slots are alike and all are packaged with an interior mail chute of solid brass to guide the mail delivery. Additionally, your brass house numbers can be custom-welded to the mail slot door to further customize your mail slot.
Read all of our articles on Mail Slots including:
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions about mail slot mailboxes, please contact our mailbox experts by calling The MailboxWorks toll free at 1-866-717-4943. You can also contact us online or send us an email.
Tags: mail slots, Spotlight
Categorised in: DIY Mailbox Installation & Upgrades
Sizes for Letters
You probably have a picture in your mind of what a 'letter' is. Possibly you're using a standard No. 10 envelope for your letter, so that's easy to picture. However, if you decide to create a mailpiece with its own special envelope or if you are designing a piece that will be folded to letter-size, be sure to keep in mind the following size requirements for letters:
| Dimension | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 3-1/2 inches | 6-1/8 inches |
| Length | 5 inches | 11-1/2 inches |
| Thickness | 0.007 inch | 1/4 inch |
To be eligible for mailing at the price for letters, a piece must be:
- Rectangular
- At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick.
- No more than 6-1/8 inches high x 11-1/2 inches long x 1/4 inch thick.
First-Class Mail letters that have one or more nonmachinable characteristics will pay a nonmachinable surcharge. Customers can be unpleasantly surprised that they must pay extra postage when, for example, they mail a square greeting card. The Postal Service charges extra postage because mailpieces that are rigid, square, or unusually shaped, often jam postal equipment and are difficult to process. This costs the Postal Service time and money—and may also damage your mailpiece.
Many mailers fold sheets of paper to form letter-size pieces or newsletters. Folded pieces, or folded self-mailers, can save time and money because you're not paying for or stuffing envelopes. Folded self-mailers must be sealed or they will be subject to the nonmachinable surcharge. We recommend that you use wafer seals or tabs to close the open sides of folded mailpieces.
Here's some good advice on tabbing: Put the fold on the bottom (the side below the address) and secure the opening at the top with a piece of tape, a tab or a wafer seal.
Slot Hole Dimension
There are special size requirements for mailing letters at automation prices. Contact your Business Mail Entry Unit for more information.
TIPS
- 0.007 inches? How do I measure that? As a guide, an index card is thick enough. If in doubt, contact a Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) near you. MDAs have tools for precisely measuring thickness and can tell you if your mailpiece is thick enough.
- What is high? What is long? Length is the side parallel to the address. Height is the side that is perpendicular to the length.
- Sizes for parcels that weigh 13 ounces or less.