Many people are looking at improving their current property value rather than investing in something new. So when it comes down to improving your property, first impressions last and the initial thing people will notice about your home is the outside - the lawn, the driveway and other details in and around this area of your home. One superb element that you can include as part of your outdoor decor, and one that will add a note of elegance and style to your home is a cast iron mailbox.

Even though there was a whole trend towards housing becoming more modern, a lot of people are currently going for a retro or more traditional look for their homes. People now want the place they live to feel and look more like a home and less like some artistic setpiece. Plus, aside from the aesthetic benefits, a mailbox made from cast iron is sturdy and highly unlikely to be moved or stolen - it is simply too heavy.

There are three basic types of cast iron mailbox that you can choose from:

Free standing
These are just like the original mailboxes that you would see on the street earlier in the last century. They are a stand-alone mailbox with a flap that you lift to drop the mail into. They also weigh an awful lot so it is not going to be easy to steal or even move them. There are plenty of companies doing reproduction models of these, but you can buy the original items online too - and for a lot less than you might think.

Post-mounted mailboxes
This is the type of postbox that you are probably most familiar with - the curbside post-mounted model. These free standing mailboxes are a real piece of Americana that has been getting popular again in recent years. They are mounted on a post which is usually made of wood, but you do also have the option of using a cast iron mounting post too. Wood will do the job here, but the cast iron post can really add to the air of authenticity. Plus, the iron mounting posts are far more ornate - which is the effect you are looking to achieve.

Wall mounted
This type of mailbox is mounted on the wall at the side or front of the house and has a slot for your mail to be dropped into. For those of you who cannot or will not use a curbside postbox, then the wall mounted slot iron mailbox is the easiest option. Just make sure that the supporting wall can take the weight when it is being mounted, and it is fitted by a professional. Again, you can buy genuine antique versions of these mailboxes online and offline.
 
Normally, an iron mailbox like the ones mentioned above is going to come in just plain old black, but some companies are offering them already "antiqued" so you get that worn, classic finish with a brand new mailbox. What you buy will depend on what final result you want to achieve.

Because these mailboxes are made of iron, they are more prone to rusting than say a standard aluminum mailbox. You should find that most modern manufacturers are using a powder coat finish for their products, and this will make the mailbox almost impervious to rust and also really helps with normal wear and tear.

There is something very homely about having a mailbox like this outside your home. It paints the whole mental image of the family home with a white picket fence and a dog playing in the garden. You are not going to have to spend a fortune when you buy one either - you can buy them online for as little as $60 each. That is a tiny investment to make in adding a timeless element of style to your exterior decor.