The Complete Handbook of Mailbox Covers

Chapter 1: Understanding Mailbox Covers

Foundations: What a Mailbox Cover Is and What It Does

A mailbox cover is a protective and decorative shell fitted over a standard residential or commercial mailbox. That definition sounds simple, but the product class includes everything from a thin polyester slipcover that fits over a rectangular steel box to a rigid, custom-formed plastic sleeve with a hinged flap. The common factor is that the cover is not the mailbox itself. It is an aftermarket accessory that wraps around the existing mailbox body to change its appearance, protect its surface, or add functionality such as a larger flag or a house number plaque.

To understand what a cover does, you first have to understand the variety of mailboxes it mounts on. The overwhelming majority of covers target the classic USPS-approved rural or suburban box. This is the rectangular metal container mounted on a wood or metal post at the edge of a property. Its dimensions are not entirely standardized, but the most common sizes fall into a narrow range. A typical residential box is between 20 and 24 inches long, 10 to 12 inches deep, and 10 to 14 inches high. The front face, which holds the door, is approximately 10 inches wide and 10 inches tall. The roof is usually a curved or peaked panel. Some high-volume covers are built for the "medium" and "large" sizes sold by the major USPS-approved manufacturers, which can be up to 26 inches long and 14 inches high.