Business customer
Letter plates are an important component of any front door; they provide a discreet, secure, and weather-protected way for mail delivery.
Whether you are building a new home or upgrading your existing door, choosing the right letter plate can make a big difference both functionally and aesthetically. Here you will learn what matters when making your selection.
Advantages and differences in materials, colors, and finishes
The choice of material, color, and surface finish of your letter plate can have a major impact on its durability, maintenance requirements, and the overall aesthetics of your front door. Here are some important points to consider:
These materials are used for letter slots
- Steel: This material is extremely robust and durable. It is weather-resistant and can withstand both extreme temperatures and high humidity conditions. Ideal for homes in harsh climates. However, please note that steel is not rustproof.
- Stainless steel: Similar to steel, stainless steel is extremely resistant to weathering. In addition, a stainless steel letter plate offers a modern and stylish aesthetic. Bonus point: stainless steel is rustproof!
- Brass: This material offers a classic and elegant look. Brass is corrosion-resistant, but somewhat more maintenance-intensive than steel and stainless steel.
These colors are available for letter flaps
- Silver: This color works well with modern and minimalist designs. It is versatile and easy to combine with other colors and materials.
- Black: Black letter plates look elegant and are very easy to maintain. They can be used for both modern and traditional designs.
- Gold: This color offers a luxurious, high-end look. Gold letter plates are especially suited to classic and opulent designs.
Common finishes for letter plates
- Brushed: This finish looks modern and high-quality. Brushed stainless steel is especially popular because it makes fingerprints and small scratches less visible.
- Matte: A matte finish offers a soft and subtle look that can still appear very stylish.
The benefits of a letter plate with thermal insulation
A letter plate with thermal insulation can make a significant contribution to your home’s energy efficiency. It prevents heat from escaping through the letter slot and cold air from entering, especially during the colder months.
This can help you reduce heating costs while also increasing comfort in your home. For this reason, a letter plate with thermal insulation is particularly recommended for passive houses and energy-efficient buildings—or simply whenever you want to save money in the long term.
Different sizes of letter plates and their uses
The size of your letter slot, whether with an inner flap or without, should be matched to the type and amount of mail you regularly receive. Here are some common sizes and their intended uses:
- Small (approx. 25 × 4 cm): Ideal for standard letters and postcards. Not suitable for larger envelopes or magazines.
- Medium (approx. 30 × 5 cm): Suitable for standard letters, larger envelopes, and most magazines.
- Large (approx. 35 × 7 cm): Perfect if you regularly receive larger mail items such as catalogs, magazines, or small parcels.
Positioning and accessibility of the letter plate
It is important that the letter plate is installed at a convenient height for the mail carrier. The usual height is between 70 cm and 170 cm from the ground. This allows the mail carrier to post mail comfortably and enables you to retrieve it just as easily. If the letter plate is positioned too high or too low, it can cause inconvenience.
When purchasing a letter plate, it is also important to consider aspects such as security and installation. Some models offer additional security features such as locks or privacy flaps.
Installing letter plates
As far as installation is concerned, most letter plates are relatively easy to fit. The biggest challenge is sawing or cutting the cutout for the letter plate into the door in the correct size and at the right position.
To do this, measure your letter plate carefully and then mark the cut height and width of the cutout clearly. You can then cut it out neatly with a jigsaw—on a solid wooden door.
Please inform yourself in advance about the construction of your door so that you know what material or materials it is made of. In general, front doors are made of aluminum, plastic, or composite materials. It is also important whether your front door has a frame construction or is solidly built. All of this affects how you should proceed when cutting the opening for the letter plate. You can find plenty of information on this online.
The actual installation of the letter plate is then usually quite simple and requires just a few screws. Simply follow the installation instructions provided.