A letterbox is one of the most important accents you can install on a door, particularly a UVPC door. Having a letterbox finishes off the door’s aesthetic and also helps cushion the arrival of mail. They are very useful tools to have on your door, but if you need to replace your letterbox for a UPVC door, the process can seem a little confusing. Are you unsure where to start this installation?
Then read on. We asked Lock & Key Leeds for advice on installing a letterbox for UPVC doors. This quick guide, brought to you via professional insight from experienced locksmiths, should help you to make the process a whole lot simpler. There are quite a few things to consider before you get started, so this guide should help you to avoid making mistakes when changing your UPVC door letterbox.
UPVC Door Letterboxes: Are They Specific?
Now, there are many features – especially for doors – that can feel pretty universal. As such, you might come across a letterbox for composite doors, or wooden doors, and think ‘well, what’s the harm?’ – the problem is that many letterboxes are specific to the kind of doors they attach to.
Fit an incompatible letterbox to your UPVC door, and you might find the installation does not work. It might damage the door, or your letterbox, or it might not fit properly. UPVC doors require letterboxes designed for their structure and material. Otherwise, you can run into issues. Generally, you should look specifically at UPVC letterboxes; they are made from a compatible material that works well with a UPVC door, and they come in styles and sizes that work properly.
So, yes, UPVC door letterbox designs are specific. When you get the right fit, though, you should now have a long-term, highly durable solution that stays perfectly in place for years to come. Most UPVC letterbox designs are built to avoid rusting and wear and tear, so replacing this letterbox should not be a concern for many years to come.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important considerations before you start installing any letterbox for UPVC doors, though.
Key Installation Considerations For UPVC Door Letterboxes
There are quite a few things you need to look at before you get started. Generally, your best bet is to read the instructions that come with your letterbox. This will explain the basics in close enough detail. Now, you need to think about the next steps – where do you begin?
Size Accuracy
First and foremost, make sure that your new letterbox for UPVC doors fits your current letterbox. Most letterboxes are around 10”-12” on a UPVC door, so you really just need to measure your current letterbox. Remove your current letterbox coverings and measure the length and thickness; that should give you enough information to feel confident in buying a suitable replacement.
Size accuracy is important; the wrong size means you’ll need to cut new spacing into your door. Get that wrong, and you are left with awful-looking gaps in your door, or you need to go and spend significant money on a new door. So, measure accordingly before buying anything!
Screw Placements
Another important consideration in your decision will be the placement of screws. Most of the time, UPVC door letterbox products use a very similar screw layout: one in each corner. This should be simple enough to follow, but make sure your screws are long enough.
That’s another reason why thickness matters when making a decision. The screws need to be long enough to connect the front and back ends of your UPVC door letterbox. Otherwise, this will not work properly, and you risk your letterbox falling off. So, make sure that both the placement and the length of the screw are the same; this takes a bit of research, but it is a worthwhile endeavour.
Insulation Flaps
This can be more down to personal choice, but you must get the right kind of insulation flaps. These flaps help prevent drafts from coming through your letterbox.
Letterboxes without proper insulation flaps are likely to reduce energy efficiency and make your letterbox noisier when in use. Internal insulation usually comes in the form of those little plastic bristles that you get, which help to cushion the noise of mail coming through the UPVC door letterbox. Most letterbox choices for UPVC doors will include these bristles as standard.
However, you also get other types of internal insulation flap; sometimes, you get a UPVC covering for both sides, not just the outside. Be sure to take the time to look closely at the type of insulation flap you want; most of the time, it’ll be the bristles, which provide ample noise and energy insulation.
Maintenance & Protection
Lastly, make sure that you take the time to consider your needs beyond the obvious. Most letterbox choices for UPVC doors can be cleaned with a simple damp cloth. That’s part of the appeal of UPVC. If you use a metal letterbox for UPVC doors, though, you need to read up on how best to clean the material used; does it need buffing/polishing? What cleaning solutions are suitable?
Protection matters, too. You can buy UPVC door letterboxes with additional features, such as anti-snap and anti-fishing protections, so people can’t get their hands through your letterbox to fish for keys. This costs a little more, but is generally worth the minimal extra cost.
Take Your Time For An Easier Installation
The above should give you some important considerations, so please think them through carefully. Avoid rushing into buying a UPVC door letterbox – take your time, be patient.
Buying the wrong letterbox means having to replace it sooner rather than later. Buy the correct style, and you’re far more likely to get your money’s worth and, crucially, make installation a whole lot less frustrating!
