Unique mailbox posts bestow beauty and function to any landscape. Adding an attractive mailbox post creates an eye-catching landscape feature and you’ll be the envy of all your neighbors!
Eye-Catching Landscape Features – Mail Box Posts
A mail box post is available in many different styles and shapes. Standard posts consist of a 4×4 inch plank sunk in the ground. Sets are available as a combination package of both a post and support material.
Construction of Mailbox Posts
Mailbox posts are available in different materials with the newest being molded plastic. Molded plastic can be shaped and painted into unique designs and incorporate many accessories. Plastic posts are durable and will outlast just about any wood or metal post. A plastic post can support almost any type of standard T1 size mailbox.
Aluminum posts are the most durable of the metal posts. Aluminum doesn’t rust like steel and the finish stays longer. However, aluminum posts are more expensive than other metal posts. Galvanized steel is designed so the zinc coating will dissolve before the steel rusts. Eventually, the steel will rust and the post will need replacing. For oversize mailboxes, the aluminum post is needed to support the extra weight.
Wood posts are the traditional choice for many homeowners. For the do-it-yourselfers, wood is the simplest and most economical choice. The least expensive is the standard 4×4 inch post. Cedar and redwood are both insect resistant but quite expensive and will eventually rot if buried. Untreated woods like Douglas fir and pine have the shortest lifespan because they are prone to rot and not insect resistant.
Pressure-treated wood is resistant to rot and insects due to the preservation techniques applied to the wood. It’s a good idea to coat pressure-treated wood with some sort of a protectant so that it doesn’t crack or split. A wooden package with extra support features will also support an oversize mailbox. Wooden sets for your mailbox are available at most hardware stores or online.
Some mailbox posts are made of some type of masonry material such as granite, concrete, stone, or brick. Before erecting these structures, it is advisable to make sure it conforms to both local and postal codes as well as homeowner association’s requirements.
Decorating your mailbox posts
Decorative mail posts are all the rage today. Some posts have built-in planters for live plants. Many planter posts do not require digging or concrete because of the amount of dirt and gravel inside the post. You can also monogram metal posts to add a touch of sophistication. When choosing a decorative post, choose one that compliments the mailbox which will adorn the top of the post. There are literally hundreds of different styles of combination posts to select from.
You may want to consider newer style posts designed to swing away when those careless drivers run amok. You can save a lot of money on these types of posts.
By far, the majority of the posts are single-mount mailbox posts. A single mount post will only accommodate a single mailbox. On the other hand, multi-mount posts will allow you to install multiple mailboxes. This is especially useful for multiplexes, mobile home parks, or remote dwellings.
Mailbox Posts Installation
Installation for mailbox posts varies. Some are surface mount which means it needs a substance inside the hollow post to weigh it down. Usually, this is pea gravel. Some posts are “drive-in” which means you hammer a stake into the ground about 12 inches deep and position the post on top. Other posts require digging a large hole and adding concrete. You then set the post and wait for the concrete to cure. This method is time-consuming and not always the safest.
For all posts, be careful and read the installation instructions because some specialty or novelty mailboxes may require additional hardware and support for installation on your post. Many of these are available as a package set which includes the mailbox post, hardware, and extra support needed for installation.
Be cautious when selecting your posts. Concrete and other such indestructible materials can make mailbox posts rather dangerous. Accidental mailbox collisions take the lives of many people each year. Please see the laws and regulations governing the installation of residential mailboxes.
With a little research, selecting the right post can save you hundreds of dollars and a major headache in the near future.
It is difficult to make mailbox post or stand recommendations without knowing specific requirements. Therefore, we highly suggest that you check out the entire line of mailbox posts and stands.