Fit a wall-mounted letterbox to a timber fence or shed
Fit a wall-mounted letterbox securely to a timber fence or shed, choosing solid timber and weatherproof fixings.
LB-01Pick a solid fixing pointChoose a spot over solid timber, not a thin overlap board or gap between boards. On a fence, that means a post or the horizontal rail behind the boards. On a shed, aim for the corner post or a horizontal framing timber, not just the thin cladding.
LB-02Mark the height and level itHold the letterbox in place at a comfortable height, roughly 1400mm to 1500mm from the ground, and mark the top corners with a pencil. Use a spirit level to check it's straight before marking the screw holes through the fixing lugs.
LB-03Quick safety check before drillingA plain timber fence has no cables or pipes, so drilling is low risk. If you're fixing to a shed that has mains electricity run to it, check where the cable enters and stay well clear, or isolate the circuit at the consumer unit first if you're not sure of the route. Never drill blind into a shed wall near a light switch or socket without checking.
LB-04Drill pilot holesDrill a 3mm pilot hole at each marked point, angled straight into the timber, about 30mm deep. This stops the timber splitting and makes driving the screws much easier, especially near the edge of a post.
LB-05Screw the letterbox in placeUse stainless steel or brass screws, not plain steel, since ordinary screws will rust and stain the timber outdoors. A 4mm x 40mm screw is a good size for most letterboxes. Drive each screw through the fixing lug and into the pilot hole until snug, then check the letterbox is still level.
LB-06Weatherproof the fixingRun a thin bead of exterior sealant along the top edge where the letterbox meets the timber, so rain can't sit and soak in. Wipe away any excess with a damp cloth before it skins over.
LB-07Tidy upSweep up any wood shavings, check the letterbox door opens and closes smoothly, and put your tools away. Give the screws a final check for tightness after a week, once the timber has settled.
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