What Type of Horizontal Mailboxes Will Best Fit Your Needs?

When managing mail delivery for your building, selecting the right horizontal mailbox is crucial. Your choice can significantly impact efficiency and compliance, whether you’re setting up for USPS or a private mail system. This guide will help you make an informed decision for new constructions or renovations, ensuring you achieve a solution that’s efficient, compliant, and visually appealing.

Need Help Choosing the Best Fit for Your Needs?

1. Standard 4C Horizontal Mailboxes
2. Standard 4B Horizontal Mailboxes
3. 1600 or 1700 Horizontal Mailboxes

As shown above, basic product descriptions for commercial horizontal mailboxes often fall short. To make the right choice, consider these two essential factors:

• USPS vs. Private Mail Delivery
• New Construction vs. Renovation

UPDATE: As of November 30, 2020, 4C Pedestal Mailboxes are discontinued. The USPS Cluster Box Unit (CBU) Mailbox is now the standard for all multi-family mail delivery.

Private Mail Delivery

First, decide if you’ll use USPS or a private mail distribution system. This choice impacts the mailbox type you’ll need for compliance and accessibility.

For private mail delivery, you have flexibility in selecting your mail unit. However, The MailboxWorks, a leading distributor of commercial mail systems, recommends the 1600 or 1700 series models. Both are designed specifically for private delivery and offer a cost-effective solution.

1700 Rear-Loading Horizontal Mailboxes: These are suited for situations where you access tenant mail through the back of the unit.

1600 Front-Loading Horizontal Mailboxes: These mailboxes allow front-loading access, ideal for scenarios where tenants retrieve mail directly from the front.

USPS Mail Delivery

If your project requires USPS mail delivery, first determine whether it’s a new construction or a minor renovation. USPS considers a minor renovation to be one that doesn’t involve remodeling or altering the wall opening for the mailboxes.

Minor Renovation: While 4C postal solutions can also be used for renovation projects, the standard 4B horizontal mailboxes (also referred to as 2600 horizontal mailboxes) are acceptable when replacing an existing mailbox unit of the same type.

New Construction: For new projects, only standard 4C mailboxes are authorized by USPS for compliance.

Horizontal Mailbox Configurations

Regardless of which type of horizontal mailboxes you select for your application, myriad choices also arise as to configuration for individual tenant mail solutions and color finishes as well.

Additionally, you can easily choose the most architecturally pleasing color finish by perusing any of the commercial mailbox product pages. Along with postal grey (the standard commercial mail drop finish), horizontal mailboxes come in eleven fine finishes including antique bronze, antique copper, black, blonde gold, dark bronze, forest green, gold speck, sandstone, silver speck, and white.

For best results, consult with your local postmaster before installation to ensure your mailbox setup meets approval and operates efficiently for your unique application.

Choose the Right Horizontal Mailbox for Seamless Delivery

Selecting the right horizontal mailbox for your building ensures a streamlined mail delivery process and compliance with USPS standards. Whether you’re managing a private mail system or working on a new construction project, choosing the appropriate mailbox model and configuration is essential to meet both functional and aesthetic needs.

The MailboxWorks can assist you with any custom mailbox configuration project, with professional layout design by their mailbox experts. Just contact their experts at 1-866-717-4943 for immediate assistance.

Categorized in: Commercial Mailboxes