About Mail Slots
Mail slots are slots in a wall or door that allow mail carriers to deliver mail to a household or business. In the United States, mail slots are mostly seen in urban areas or on the East Coast. Rural and suburban areas and much of the American West use curbside mailboxes, which allow mail carriers to stay in their vehicles, saving time and keeping the mail carriers out of bad weather. Mail slots are also seen on mostly older homes, although they are showing signs of revival in new construction. Does this Spark an idea?
History
Mail slots as we know them today were first used in Paris, France, in the late 1700s. By the end of the 19th century, most of Europe had caught on to mail slots, and the United States was not far behind. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mail carriers in the United States knocked on doors and waited to deliver mail, but this was tedious and a huge waste of time. The idea of mail slots and mailboxes caught on, and today the United States Postal Service has very specific requirements regarding mail-delivery receptacles.
Features
Mail slots normally have a flap on the outside to insulate the home from cold or hot outdoor air. Some even have two flaps for an added degree of insulation. The mail usually drops onto the floor in the house, unless there is a box-like receptacle on the back side of the door or wall for catching the mail.
Types
Mail slots are made from a variety of materials and cover a wide price range. Brass, bronze and nickel are the most common materials used for making mail slots. They hold up well to the weather and age nicely. Other materials sometimes used for mail slots include stainless steel, cast iron (especially in Victorian-era mail slots), wrought iron and chrome. Antique mail slots are sought-after for their character and style.
Size
An average size for mail slots is about 12 by 2 inches, but the size can vary quite a bit. In general, a mail slot needs to be wide enough to accept a magazine, which is usually about 8-1/2 inches wide. The weight of a mail slot depends on the material from which it is made. Cast-iron or wrought-iron mail slots are generally the heaviest, and should only be used indoors on walls that are structurally sound enough to handle their weight.
Benefits
Because of the need for efficiency and the threat of identity theft, many U.S. neighborhoods are turning to locking community mailboxes. The older mail-slot option for mail delivery has several benefits over this newer model. First, mail slots offer a high degree of security. Once the mail is in the house, it's very difficult for a thief to get a hold of it. Second, there is no need to walk to a community box when the mail is delivered right to your front door.
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