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March 18, 2009
Old drafty mail slot
I have recently and painstakingly restored my 120 year old brownstone door. I added new door hardware but would like to keep the old mail slot. The problems is that it is VERY drafty around the edges and of course the slot is not sealed. Should I keep the charismatic old mail slot and weather proof it? Has anyone does this? Would a thick rubber flap on the inside work? Or should I instal a new mail slot, which will probably entail cutting a new hole in the door I just spent a bundle on maintaining?
Comments
In Philly we installed a nice brass slot cover with a flap door on BOTH sides...the mail gets pushed through yet it is more effective at keeping the drafts out.
Some nice ones at
www.houseofantiquehardware.com
If the post office doesn't actually use it then you might as well seal it up with a combination of wood and wood filler.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 18, 2009 2:58 PM
love the pic - thanks!
Posted by: amybnyc at March 18, 2009 3:01 PM
Nice photo!
Posted by: rh at March 18, 2009 4:03 PM
Which is the restored part? ;)
Posted by: raphael9 at March 18, 2009 4:19 PM
what dave said- BOTH sides.
Posted by: southslope at March 18, 2009 4:21 PM
We stripped the intricate woodwork and revarnished the door and casing, fixed the beveled glass lights, stripped the hinges, weather stripped, the whole nine yards.... etc. I just wanted to keep as much as possible. The door knob was not original so we scrapped it and used a knob with a large escutcheon plate to cover 6 holes where dead bolts were used throughout the years. Its super handsome now, just the mail slot is a wind tunnel.
The mailman does use it.
I guess I could do a new flap on the inside which could be more snug.
Posted by: hhitchc at March 18, 2009 4:55 PM
Installing a new flap on the inside was exactly what I did with my front door, and it worked pretty well this winter - the mailman was able to get the mail through without difficulty
Posted by: Brooklyn Red at March 19, 2009 6:35 PM
Something very erotic about this photo. Just saying...
Posted by: newsouthsloper at March 19, 2009 6:39 PM
Old Drafty Male Slot? Let the ccomedy begin....
Posted by: bmfesq at March 20, 2009 3:39 PM
I second the idea of using two covers, one inside and one outside. The trick is to make sure the inside one's edges fit the door slot well, without snagging cornes of the incoming mail.
Most just use gravity to stay closed; some older ones use springs. But we found one from Ives that includes a magnetic strip across the back of the bottom edge to help hold the cover closed. The model we used is probably not right for you -- too modern, and too big -- but you might be able to find something appropriate for your door with similar features: (Ives Magazine Size Letter Box Plate, Product ID: 650 & 651.) Mail carriers have no trouble opening them, the draft is minimal, and they don't flap noisily when the door is opened and closed. (They are a bit noisy when they fall shut, though.)
Posted by: rfr at March 21, 2009 12:58 PM
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