Nowhere in the UK is more than 70 miles from the sea and we regularly ship letterboxes to seaside homes. A common enquiry from these customers is which are the best post boxes for coastal areas. So, why does living by the beach make any difference to your mailbox choice?
Corrosion-resistant Letterboxes
Fresh sea air and waves lapping against the shore, we all love a day at the seaside. Living in coastal areas offers the chance for daily walks along the beach, but there are a few challenges too. One issue is that the sea breeze is moisture-rich, salty and humid, providing the perfect recipe for corroding metal.
Metal corrosion affects the integrity of the metal, making it weak. In addition, the discolouration caused by rust looks unsightly. No one wants that, but it doesn’t mean you have to avoid metal completely if you live by the beach.
Any metal product designed for outside use has to be weather resistant. The UK climate is wet and the regular downpours cause metal to rust. It’s just that the natural conditions in coastal regions speed up the process.
Our external letterboxes are designed and manufactured by European specialists to be weather and corrosion resistant. They are made from metals that are far less prone to rust and are often powder coated to provide an additional protective layer.
Which Metals are Corrosion-resistant?
The three main metals that are used to make exterior letterboxes are:
Galvanised Steel Post Boxes
Galvanised steel is formed with an outer layer of zinc, which acts as a barrier to protect the steel from being in contact with oxygen and moisture.
Powder coated galvanised steel is favoured by many letterbox manufacturers, so this option provides you with the greatest selection. Our range includes free standing parcel boxes, wall mounted and through wall letterboxes.
Aluminium Post Boxes
Aluminium contains minimal amounts of iron, making it rust resistant. When exposed to moisture, an aluminium oxide film can form, but this simply provides an additional protective layer.
Cast aluminium is a popular option when considering post boxes for coastal areas. The metal is rust resistant and the majority of our aluminium post boxes are powder coated to enhance the strength and finish.
Stainless Steel Post Boxes
Stainless Steel is an alloy, meaning it is made up of a mix of metals. When Chromium is in the mix, this oxidises on the surface to form a rust resistant layer. Is your kitchen sink a testament to the ability of this metal to withstand corrosion?
Our Stainless Steel post boxes include wall mounted and through wall options. The shiny metal finish looks fantastic and is often requested for contemporary homes. One other option is the Stamford Brass & Steel through wall letterbox.
For added reassurance, our letterboxes are supplied with a rust-resistant guarantee and we are known to conduct our own test on letterboxes to double-check weather and corrosion resistance!
Protection from Coastal Winds
The majority of UK homes have a letterbox through the front door. However, in many other countries, the idea of cutting a hole in your front door seems strange. If you live by the coast, you will know that the wind can pick up and blow through any gaps in your home.
Exterior post boxes provide an alternative to cutting a hole through a solid front door. It keeps the sea air out and helps make your home more energy efficient.
“Really sturdy and no problems with rain getting in. Better than a draughty hole in the door any day!” – Letterbox4You customer comment on Mumsnet
Located Far from the Sea
Our Buckinghamshire offices and warehouse are among the furthest places from the sea in the UK. However, that doesn’t stop us from considering what’s required to provide robust post boxes for coastal areas. With advice on suitable post boxes and prompt delivery, you can trust us to provide exactly what you need.
If you have any questions, just give us a call on 01296 839401.