A mailbox actually plays a very important role in our homes.  Besides the obvious, which is that a mailbox is a receptacle to hold our incoming and outgoing mail, it also announces our home to visitors.  This may sound funny, but our mailboxes are usually the first thing a visitor encounters when approaching our home and they can either be welcoming and inviting, or they can be a less than exciting welcome mat.  So when we talk about decorating the exterior of our home, we should not forget to think about our mailbox and the effect it can have on the overall exterior decor, as well as the first impression people have about our home.

There is one great way to add instant charm and appeal to the front of our homes, and that is by using a copper mailbox.  Nothing says grace and elegance like an attractive copper mailbox in the front yard, proudly announcing the name of the homeowners or the house number.

Why is copper such a sought after material for a mailbox, you may ask?   Well, first of all, copper is very durable and never rusts, making it an ideal material for a mailbox.  Rain or shine, or even snow, your copper mailbox will not rust.  Even if you live near the ocean, saltwater will not corrode your copper mailbox (which is why you see copper mailboxes at beach homes so often).  This means that you never have to replace your mailbox and it will never look rusty and unkempt!  Now isn’t that a worthwhile investment for your home?

Copper mailboxes come in great finishes, too.  If you want a polished look, choose copper mailboxes with non-toxic lacquer finishes.  Lacquer coated copper mailboxes will forever remain shiny and looking like new and will not change color.  However, most people opt for a copper mailbox because they specifically like the way it naturally patinas, so therefore they prefer that it is not coated with lacquer.  Through the natural process of aging, copper acquires a patina, or a natural soft green coloration, much like the Statue of Liberty.  This patina is a natural oxidation process of the copper and is not a sign that the copper is wearing or deteriorating.  Patina copper mailboxes have great appeal to many homeowners.

Aside from smooth copper mailboxes, another popular option is a hammered copper mailbox.  This style has a bit more depth and design to it, and provides a rich and interesting look to your mailbox choices.  Hammered copper mailboxes can have a very contemporary look or can provide a look that more closely resembles antique copper mailboxes.   So, no matter what type of style you are going for, you should be able to find a copper mailbox style to suit your needs.  Hammered designs can be uniform, or you can find a custom copper mailbox that is truly unique and is a one of a kind piece.

A copper mailbox looks beautiful in front of most any home, regardless of whether it is a curbside copper mailbox or a wall mount mailbox, an antique copper mailbox or a hammered one.  Small or large, these mailboxes are truly a great addition to your home and can suit almost any style.  From a sleek contemporary mailbox made of copper to one that looks like it could tell stories from days of old, and from a casual beachside copper mailbox to one that graces a stately country home, there is one thing that all copper mailboxes have in common.  They are an attractive way to welcome visitors to your home and they make a great first impression, showing that your home is one filled with class and charm.

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One beneficial aspect of a copper mailbox, in addition to its upscale look and interesting design, is that copper is a durable metal that will stand up to the test of time without corroding or rusting, and therefore your copper mailbox will not need replacement anytime in the near future unless you decide you are ready for a new mailbox style.  Copper mailboxes can withstand any type of weather and compliment many home styles.  They require little to no maintenance and copper does not deteriorate over time the way some other metals do.

If you are in the market for a copper mailbox, here are a few different styles to consider:

Antique copper mailbox – Choosing an antique copper mailbox can add an extra special touch to your home.  You can find antique copper mailboxes at antique shops and they come in a wide variety of styles and with many intricate and interesting design elements, such as decorative scrolls, embossing, and more.  If searching for a truly antique copper mailbox is not your thing, you can also find copper mailboxes that look antique but are new.  Either way, you will wind up with a beautiful way to hold your mail.

Hammered copper mailbox – For an interesting finish, you may want to consider hammered copper mailboxes.  They have a natural finish to the copper and hand hammering adds a unique element to the mailbox’s finish as compared to a solid copper mailbox.  You can purchase a fully hand hammered copper mailbox or a style that has only sections of hammered copper that are placed on top of brass, solid copper, or other metals.

Copper look mailbox – If you do not want the expense of a natural copper mailbox, you can select a copper look mailbox.  Copper look mailboxes are not actually copper, but are typically constructed from another material that are painted or finished to look like copper.  One drawback to these types of mailboxes is that they will not naturally patina like real copper mailboxes will.

Copper top mailbox – Rather than a solid copper mailbox, you can select a copper top mailbox in order to save money.  Copper top mailboxes have a coating of copper on the top of a mailbox made from another metal.  These mailboxes offer the look of copper mailboxes without the cost of a fully copper mailbox.

Wall mount copper mailbox – If your mail is delivered directly to your front door, a wall mounted copper mailbox is an attractive way to collect your mail.  Wall mount copper mailboxes come in a variety of sizes (usually sold as small, medium or large) and many also have copper hanging brackets attached to the bottom of the mailbox to hold your outgoing mail  for pick up or newspapers and larger mail that does not fit within the box.

Curbside copper mailbox – For those whose mailbox sits at the curb, adding a curbside copper mailbox makes a great first impression on passersby.  Curbside copper mailboxes come in a variety of styles, including antique copper, hammered copper, hand rubbed copper, lacquer coated copper or copper patina and can also come in a variety of sizes as well (small, medium or large).  Since a copper mailbox is the type of exterior home accessory you will enjoy for a long time to come, it is usually best to purchase a large copper mailbox so that you have the space you need no matter what your postage needs over time.  This ensures that you don’t “outgrow” your mailbox due to size, even though you are not ready to part with your beautiful and decorative mailbox.

Copper slot mailbox – For a truly old world look, copper slot mailboxes add charm and interest.  Rather than opening on the end like a traditional mailbox, a copper slot mailbox includes a slot for postal workers to drop the mail in and then there is an opening on the back of the mailbox to retrieve any mail inside.  These types of mailboxes maintain the security of your mail, since they cannot be opened by anyone walking by on the street.

Copper mailbox accessories – You can add a copper mailbox to the front wall of your home or along the front curb, and there are also a variety of accessories that you may also want to consider to increase the decorative aspect of your mailbox.  You can also order a copper mailbox post to match the mailbox, or it can be mounted on a typical wood or metal post.  You can add copper mailbox hooks or hanging brackets to hold newspapers, magazines, and larger mail.  You can also purchase copper mailbox post caps to add a decorative element to an existing mailbox post.  Just like other mailbox styles, you can also add inserts within copper mailboxes to make it easier to remove mail stored inside or can add a locking mechanism to protect your mail from others.

Copper mailbox finishes – There are a variety of finishes to choose from when it comes to copper mailboxes.  Choose from finishes such as hand rubbed copper, hand hammered copper, natural copper, solid copper, lacquered copper or a variety of copper patinas, ranging in colors from browns to greens.  Each type of copper mailbox finish adds its own unique design element and many can be customized to look just the way you want them.

There are many styles of copper mailboxes to choose from and finding the best copper mailbox to suit your home’s style should be a fairly easy task.  You can search for copper mailboxes online and will find a wide selection to choose from.  By doing so, you will find stock copper mailboxes as well as custom copper mailboxes and can easily compare copper mailbox prices among various retailers.  You can also find copper mailboxes in catalogs, antique stores, and upscale home design retailers.  No matter what type of copper mailbox you choose, the addition of this long-lasting, durable, unique, and beautiful home accessory will add interest to your home’s exterior for years to come.

Buy copper mailboxes here.

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