Multibank Letterbox Guide

Multibanks provide bulk letterbox solutions for large scale, multi-dwellings like apartment buildings, unit blocks and business complexes. It's an efficient and practical way to provide multiple tenants on one lot with their own compact letterbox.

Heatlie Letterboxes specialises in multibank letterboxes and has a long history of supplying them across Adelaide as well as all over Australia. Chances are you've come across of our multibanks somewhere out there. They can vary in size from 2 boxes, all the way up to 60 boxes and there are many different ways to customise a multibank to suit your needs.

Let's have a look at all the elements of a multibank and what you need to know when ordering one.

Configuration

Your multibank can be as small or big as you need it to be, within limitations. We generally would not recommend having more than 6 boxes high, as this would put the top boxes out of reach for the average human and goes against Australia Posts' standard regulations. How far wide you go depends on the mail slot size explained below. Landscape boxes are 100mm wider, meaning less space for boxes across.

We generally recommend:

Landscape - maximum 7 boxes wide

Portrait - maximum 10 boxes wide

6 wide portrait multibank with signage plate

A multibank of 6 high x 10 wide or 60 boxes, can weigh well over 150kgs. This provides challenges for installation and transport, so we generally recommend splitting it up into two smaller banks that can be installed right next to each other.

Orientation

This dictates the size of the boxes themselves. Here at Heatlie Letterboxes we have either landscape or portrait orientation. This means the mail slot will be as wide as an A4 piece of paper either at landscape or portrait orientation. This is an important choice because it greatly affects how your bank can be configured. Portrait boxes are narrower than a landscape box by 100mm, so the space saving can really add up if you are purchasing a larger bank. 

Portrait sized boxes, mounted on posts in the ground.

It's important to note though, that the boxes are still the same size, just with the dimensions flipped. So a portrait box may be 100mm narrower, but it makes up for it by being 100mm deeper. This means that either style of box will be able to fit an A4 piece of paper lying flat in the bottom of the box. It just affects what way it goes in through the slot. This means that any large A4 sized mail will not get crushed or folded in order to fit in the box, no matter what style you go for.

Mounting

Multibanks can be installed in a variety of ways, and the choice is up to you. It all depends on what is available to your at your premises.

Post Mounted Multibanks

One way is to be mounted on two posts that are bolted onto concrete, or cemented into the ground. You'll often see this with business complexes, aged care facilities and unit blocks in suburban areas, as long as they have the space to do so. 

Ground mounted, front opening landscape sized multibank.

A common practise for multibanks that are mounted on two posts is to have a signage plate above the bank that displays the street name and number for ease of navigation. See image below. 

An example of a signage plate between two posts bolted to concrete

Wall Mounted Multibanks

The other option is to have it built in. They can be bolted onto a wall, with the bank protruding out in its entirety, or they can be recessed into the wall so that the front of the letterboxes sit flush with the wall. Obviously, with a recess you need a deep enough wall, and with a protruding one, you need space to keep a decent walkway, as well as a strong enough wall - we wouldn't recommend mounting on gyprock unless the studs can support. These are common with urban apartment blocks and allows the letterboxes to be inside, behind locked doors for added security.

A multibank can also go through a wall, so that it can have its mail slot on one side, and be opened on the other side of the wall. 

Multibank built into a wall with landscape sized, front opening boxes and advanced cladding. 

Opening

Another huge benefit with our multibank letterboxes is their ability to be either rear or front opening.

If your multibank is to be installed on a wall, it's pretty much a no-brainer that you need front opening. If you are recessing the bank through a wall, in this case, a rear opening unit is ideal as it provides extra security if the doors can open in a area that is not accessible to the public.

At the end of the day this all comes down to where it is installed and what is practical for the tenants.

A multibank of six, with rear opening doors.

Cladding

Multibank cladding is the layer that surrounds the outside of the unit. It provides a protective layer and also finishes it off nicely for a smooth look. We offer either no cladding at all, a basic 1mm cladding or a 32mm SHS cladding for ultimate protection.

No cladding will leave the bolts and rivets that we use to assemble to bank exposed on the outside and is the cheapest option. This is available for all installation and mounting types.

Basic cladding will cover the top and sides of the boxes with a 1mm sheet of aluminium that surrounds the bank. This provides a nice smooth look and is also a bit sturdier and vandal resistant. This can be put on post mounted or wall mounted banks, but is not necessary for recessed or through wall installations.

Advanced cladding is a 32mm square hollow tube that provides the ultimate protection from vandalism. It is only available for wall mounted boxes as it does not work well with posts and is not necessary for built in options. 

1mm thick cladding on multibank

Multibank without cladding

Advanced cladding on a wall mounted multibank

Colours

We have a range of powder coating colours available for our multibanks. The most common colours are  Satin Black, Monument®, and Surfmist®. Most people stick with neutral colours that won't attract too much attention, and work well with their surrounding urban environment.

Numbering and Text

Traditionally, most multibanks employ a black vinyl strip that runs across the entirety of the bank, with smaller white vinyl stick on numbers and lettering. You've most likely seen this, it's a very common style of numbering multibanks.

However, Heatlie Letterboxes offers larger vinyl numbers stuck directly onto the door, doing away with the black strip. This offers you a choice of colour and font, makes it more pleasing to the eye and is also easier for both tenants and posties to find the right box.

Our vinyl numbering options include:

Colour: Gold, Black, Silver, White, Charcoal Grey

Size: 25mm (max. 13 characters)

Font: Arial, Century Gothic, Times New Roman

Location on boxes: Centered, Left Aligned

Front opening, landscape, multibank built onto wall with 25mm, black, Arial, left aligned numbering.

Locking System

The last thing to decide is the lock type. We offer a key lock that includes 2 keys for each box, or a latch lock where tenants can attach their own padlock or have no lock way of locking their letterbox at all if they want. 

Dimensions

We manufacture our multibanks to precise dimensions that adhere to Aus. Post's regulations. There are two sizes, and below is a guide that shows the total dimensions of a bank depending on the layout.

Made to order, Australian Made Multibanks

All our multibank letterboxes are made to your specifications right here in our North Plympton, South Australia factory. We fabricate, treat and powder coat all our own metals in order to craft your letterboxes. We also offer installation in the Adelaide metro area for most of our multibanks and we are happy to discuss this if you need. 

As you can see, there are a lot of elements that make up a multibank letterbox. This is for good reason, as everyone has a different situation and needs something tailored to suit them. We are always open to chat about the options and provide deeper insight, just give us a call or drop us an email!

Check out our multibanks today!