Metal Fence Letterbox - Installation Guide

Metal Fence Letterbox - Installation Guide

Suitable for...
This installation guide is mostly applicable to a metal tubular fence but the same basic steps apply to any kind of fence including...
  • Wood Picket
  • Wood Slat
  • Metal Tubular
  • Metal Slat
  • Metal Sheet
  • PVC
  • Emu Wire*
* with extra supporting frame to bolt on to.

Equipment Needed

  • Drill with Hex head attachment, metal drill bit
  • Self tapping Tek Screws
  • Angle grinder or hacksaw
  • Metal file or sander
  • Spray paint in colour of fence
  • Rivet gun
  • Rivets

Letterbox Location

Firstly, the location of your letterbox is important. Australia Post regulates that the slot should be somewhere between 900mm and 1200mm from the ground. Posties should have clear and unhindered access to the slot and it should ideally be located as close to the footpath as possible.

Steps

1. Once you’ve chosen your location, use self tapping Tek screws to bolt rear flange to back of fence. It is best to use one screw per post, top and bottom. 

metal tubular fence letterbox installation  metal tubular fence letterbox installation
metal tubular fence letterbox installation  metal tubular fence letterbox installation
2. Using an angle grinder, hacksaw or any other appropriate metal cutting tool, cut out the portion of the fence inside the rear brace frame.

metal tubular fence letterbox installation metal tubular fence letterbox installation
3. Use a file to smooth out the edges that were cut.

metal tubular fence letterbox installation
4. Apply a coat of paint to protect the exposed metal from corrosion.

metal tubular fence letterbox installation
5. Slide the letterbox in through the front of the fence and drill two holes through both the flange flaps and the box. One on each of the corners of the flaps, starting with the top.

metal tubular fence letterbox installation
6. Use a rivet gun to pop rivet the flange to the box.

metal tubular fence letterbox installation
7. Repeat with the bottom of the box. 

metal tubular fence letterbox installation metal tubular fence letterbox installation
Done!
metal tubular fence letterbox installation
metal tubular fence letterbox installation
This provides a seamless and aesthetic letterbox installation, with no bolts, screws or rivets showing on the front of the box. For more information on fence letterboxes, check out our other blogs here
Note: For custom faceplate letterboxes, it is best to make sure that the faceplate is also fixed to the fence in order to support the weight of the whole unit. You can do this by applying some construction adhesive like Sikaflex to the back of the faceplate to stick to the fence behind. This way you retain the clean look on the front with no visible fixings like bolts or rivets. 
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