Choosing the Right Commercial Mailbox for Your Tenants – Part 2: Wall Mounted Commercial Mailboxes

Choosing the right wall-mounted mailbox for a commercial property can improve tenant satisfaction and streamline mail management. In Part 2 of our series, we cover the best options and installation tips to help you make the ideal choice for your tenants.

Those who purchase equipment for apartment complexes, business centers, strip malls, and other multi-unit developments must consider tenant needs. Consistently prioritizing tenant needs in purchase decisions leads to better outcomes for both tenants and property owners. Those who make decisions through the filter of “tenant needs” find that their tenant retention rates are far superior to competing properties.

Additionally, so are the resulting income streams from much higher tenant renewal rates.  Although purchasing tenant mailboxes for a property might seem like just another routine decision, the choice is more impactful than it appears. Selecting the right wall-mounted commercial mailboxes can provide significant long-term benefits.

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

As noted in part 1 of this article, Commercial Mailboxes are available for a variety of installation requirements but primarily these mailbox installations can be divided into two primary styles:

1. Commercial pedestal mount mailboxes
2. Wall-mounted commercial mailboxes

Part one covered pedestal-mounted commercial mailboxes. In this second part of our two-part series, we focus on the various types of wall-mounted commercial mailboxes and their suitability for different property types.

4C Horizontal Commercial Mailboxes: Durable and Tenant-Friendly

For properties with just a few to thousands of tenants, USPS STD-4C Standard Commercial 4C Horizontal Mailboxes are often the most suitable choice.   The United States Postal Service (USPS) requires these rugged 4C mailbox suites for all new construction and major renovation projects. Constructed from durable aluminum and 300 series stainless steel, they are available in a wide range of tenant mailbox configurations.

These 4C Commercial Mailboxes make mail delivery easier for the postal carrier. The carrier can open either the rear or the front of the entire mailbox unit to deliver the mail. Units that open at the front are called Front Loading 4C commercial mailboxes. Those that open at the rear are known as Rear Loading 4C commercial mailboxes.

Aesthetically pleasing, the 4C commercial mailboxes are available in eleven different colors and five different tenant mailbox door identification placards.  The placards can be simple numeral identifications or actual tenant names.

Installation and Key Features

The 4C Horizontal Mailboxes offer three mounting options: You can install them as recessed commercial mailboxes into a wall, mount them on a surface with optional collars, or set them up in a Vario Depot Mail Stand. Each 4C commercial mailbox unit comes with the following:

(A) An outgoing mail slot that saves tenants the time of taking their mail to the post office;

(B) Three keys (typically the property manager manages the unit by holding one key and distributing the other two mailbox keys to the tenant)

(C) Parcel compartments allow for the delivery of parcels too large for the tenant’s mailbox. The mail carrier places the oversized parcel in the parcel locker and then puts the parcel locker key in the tenant’s mailbox. This way, the tenant can easily retrieve their package.  Once retrieved, the key to the parcel locker automatically remains in the parcel locker door for reuse.)

To keep the mail delivery area looking great and eco-friendly, you can add matching trash and recycling bins. These bins are available in the same construction and color as the 4C commercial mailboxes, creating a cohesive and sustainable space.

USPS Approved Postal Distribution Horizontal Commercial Mailboxes (replacement use only)

If you need to replace an older mailbox unit with a new one, consider the Postal Distribution Horizontal Commercial Mailboxes. These mailboxes are ideal if you’re looking to update the unit, change the color, or adjust the number of tenant mail compartments. The aluminum construction of these units, along with built-in trim, allows you to install them easily into a wall recess.

The USPS approves these postal distribution mailbox units for mail delivery only when replacing an existing unit. These commercial postal units come in both front and rear loading styles. Like the 4C commercial mailboxes, the postal carrier unlocks a special latching master door to deliver the tenant’s mail.

The Postal Distribution Horizontal Commercial Mailboxes come in a popular anodized aluminum finish and offer ten additional powder-coat color options. You can choose from features like name slots, mail slots, black fill engraving, combination locks, and hinged rear covers for rear-loading models. Each mailbox unit includes two keys for added convenience.

Approval isn’t required for replacement mailboxes. However, we strongly recommend having your local postmaster review all commercial postbox installations first.

Vertical Commercial Mailboxes (replacement only)

For apartment and multi-tenant properties desiring to replace vertical commercial mailboxes, an excellent choice may be the USPS-approved Vertical Mailboxes.  The vertical commercial mailboxes mount easily to surfaces or recess into walls. You can also use the included surface mounting kit for secure surface installation. The USPS approves these postal distribution units for mail delivery, but only when replacing an existing commercial postal unit.

These vertical commercial mailboxes are available in standard door sizes, doublewide door sizes and with built-in collection boxes.  Heavy-gauge extruded aluminum forms the structure of these commercial mailbox units, which feature a striated finish with small ridges to resist scratching. You can choose from anodized aluminum or ten powder coat finishes for durable and stylish options. When you select powder coat finishes, each unit comes with a free doorbell, though doorbells are still available as an option on anodized aluminum units.

Each tenant mailbox compartment is six inches deep and is crafted in such a manner that the stainless steel hinges are concealed (to prevent mail theft).  Two keys per unit are provided.

The 4C commercial mailboxes are USPS-approved, meaning they are not a brand new product. However, the option to mount a 4C commercial mailbox on a pedestal is new. Therefore, buyers must first gain approval from their local postmaster before installing these mailboxes as pedestal-mounted units. (Of course, if the 4C commercial pedestal-mounted mail receptacles are not used for USPS mail delivery, no postmaster approval is required.)

Private Distribution Commercial Mailboxes (most often used by Universities & Colleges)

Consider using 4C commercial mailboxes designed specifically for private use. These mailboxes are ideal for private mail distribution solutions that don’t require service from the US Post Office. You might also choose horizontal commercial mailboxes, which are commonly found on university and college campuses. Both options offer reliable solutions for private mail distribution needs.

Private horizontal mailboxes such as University Mailboxes are available in a wide variety of tenant door sizes and are constructed of heavy gauge aluminum.  Color choices include anodized aluminum and ten distinctive powder-coated colors.  The mailbox units come standard with either plastic number slots or free engraved door identification numbers. You can upgrade these units with options like black-filled engraving, engraved window tabs, and slots in the mailbox doors. Additional features include combination locks and parcel lockers for added convenience.

Regardless of the type of multi-unit tenant application, specific commercial mailbox units are constructed for each property’s needs.

Find the Perfect Wall-Mounted Mailbox for Your Property

Selecting the right wall-mounted commercial mailbox can greatly enhance tenant satisfaction and add a polished look to any property. With options ranging from USPS-compliant 4C units to custom configurations, there’s a mailbox solution for every building style and tenant need.

Explore our collection of high-quality wall-mounted commercial mailboxes at The MailboxWorks and find the perfect solution for your property. For personalized guidance in selecting the right mailbox, contact our experts at 1-866-717-4943 or browse our range online.

Categorized in: Commercial Mailboxes