FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Through door mail slots.

CAGIV | Posted in General Discussion on August 6, 2003 06:44am

No real reason for this question, I don’t need one for anything but..

I’m curious, as I look at a lot of these on homes around here etc.

Are there any through the door mail slots that are more weather tight then the next, everyone I’ve seen and the few I’ve put in are all pretty shotty and look like a great place for a winter draft or hot summer air to pass through.  Even the expensive solid brass ones.

Is this considered to be a negligible weakness if they are used or are there “top end” models that seal better then others?

 

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    JeffBuck | Aug 07, 2003 12:50am | #1

    This may be a sign U have entirely too much time on your hands....

    Or ....U are completely overworked and your brain is short circuiting....

    Either way ....

    there is a cure....

    Cool beer and a lawn chair.

    Say that five times ....slow(southern accent helps too) .....then do it.

    Works faster with a female-type chick drinking and sitting next to ya.

    Trust me ....... This is a sign ... U do need help.

    Jeff

    Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

     Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

    1. User avater
      RichBeckman | Aug 07, 2003 01:28am | #2

      "Works faster with a female-type chick..."

      As opposed to a male-type chick???!!!!

      Rich Beckman

      Another day, another tool.

      1. CAGIV | Aug 07, 2003 01:49am | #4

        As opposed to a male-type chick???!!!!

        Yeah, I think he has a point, If Ru Paul were next to me I'm sure I'd drink a lot more, but not so sure on the relaxing part.

        Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

        1. edwardh1 | Aug 07, 2003 02:07am | #5

          It was a good question. my sons house in mid state NY has the same mail slot they use in SC. Are there any that are weather tite?

          1. YesMaam27577 | Aug 07, 2003 02:11am | #6

            Mine isn't any better thana any others. That's why I put it behind a storm door. This house stood for fifty years, with a mail slot in the front door, and no other protection from the elements.

            Man! I love the south!

            Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.

          2. PurpleThumb | Aug 07, 2003 04:35am | #7

            Build a little insulated box to hang over the slot on the inside of the door.

          3. VaTom | Aug 08, 2003 12:34am | #15

            Only problem I've ever encountered with mail slots was drunks urinating through them.  A couple of wires hooked to 120v solved that problem.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

          4. User avater
            RichBeckman | Aug 08, 2003 02:36am | #16

            "Only problem I've ever encountered with mail slots was drunks urinating through them.  A couple of wires hooked to 120v solved that problem."

            ...not to mention won the heart of the mail carrier.

            Rich Beckman

            Another day, another tool.

          5. VaTom | Aug 08, 2003 03:43am | #19

            ...not to mention won the heart of the mail carrier.

            Nah, took something more conductive than a bill to get your attention.  Like a stream.  Assuming he wasn't the drunk....  In which case, "heart"?PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

        2. User avater
          IMERC | Aug 07, 2003 04:50am | #8

          I guess Rick or Jeff haven't heard about or met WICS.

          1. DougU | Aug 07, 2003 05:21am | #9

            OK, whats WICS?

          2. User avater
            IMERC | Aug 07, 2003 05:28am | #10

            UH... CAG you want to tell him?

          3. CAGIV | Aug 07, 2003 05:37am | #11

            Women In Comfortable Shoes.

            a nick name for some of the womens Imerc has working for him up in those mountains, no ask hasbeen what a GG is for further info ;)Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

          4. DougU | Aug 07, 2003 05:41am | #12

            CAG

            I guess you learn something new everyday, I was hoping to learn something good today, oh well, theres always tomarrow.

            Doug

          5. hasbeen | Aug 08, 2003 06:42am | #20

            GG = Guffy Girls, AKA: WICS

            Sort of a "you can look, but you can't touch" part of IMERC's life....

            But, oh, some of those looks...     ;)Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a carpenter to build one.

    2. CAGIV | Aug 07, 2003 01:47am | #3

      Wouldn't say I have to much free time, and not quite overworked.

      Yeah I probably need help

      and a beer or two, n'fact, I'm heading to the fridge right after this.

      what made me think of it was putting my rent check into the office after I got home from work yesterday, the one on the office door is really cheap, that got me to thinking about the one in my grandmothers house, which was expensive, yet still sucks, which led to.....

      In reality I'm just trying to avoid thinking about other things such as work, or the fact that class starts again in a few weeks.

      well...

      It's miller time.

      sorry though, no highlife in the fridge, just MGDNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

  2. caseyr | Aug 07, 2003 06:16am | #13

    I doubt that insulating your mail slot is going to solve the national energy problem, but they do make insulated mail slots.  The ones I've seen sure ain't as purty as the brass ones, though, and more expensive, too.  Around here they solved the problem of leaky door mail slots by stopping delivery of mail to the door - ya now gotta have a curbside box.  They claimed it was because of safety for the postperson - didn't want them falling down the stairs.  They let people with no steps keep their door slot, but I had a single step and had to go to a curb box.  Maybe we just have klutzier mailpeople than other cities, but I don't recall seeing climbing stairs to the front door as a major cause of on-the-job accidents.

    Anyway, Google on "insulated mail slots" and you will see some pricey numbers for fancy insulated front door. 

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Aug 07, 2003 03:43pm | #14

      It's the union at the post office. Park you truck near the curb side box and you won't get delivery. The PO tickets your truck as an obstruction and stops mail delivery till you make their life easier...

      The Post Office people are some kind of major lazy.

      They stopped my curb side and put in these inconvient central mail boxes. It's about 6 miles round trip to the mail box now.

      1. User avater
        CapnMac | Aug 08, 2003 03:16am | #17

        put in these inconvient central mail boxes. It's about 6 miles

        And the common boxes all leak, so that your bills are glued together and the periodicals soggy.

        One good thing about those boxes, you will meet the people with matching addresses on adjacent streets--when you get their mail; yours they threw out, "Oh I didn't know who that was, so I tossed it out--do you do a lot of business with 1st National Bank . . . ?"

        1. User avater
          IMERC | Aug 08, 2003 03:26am | #18

          Mail is slow. I mean slow. Slower than all stop. I average 2 missing FHB and 3 FWW a year. Thank God Taunton is so good to me. A third of the mail is shredded. Another third is preread. All of it gets soaked....

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Picture-Perfect Pergola

Built from locally sawn hemlock, this functional outdoor feature uses structural screws and metal connectors for fast, sturdy construction.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data