Mail Slot Draft Stopper

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This week, while looking through Avista’s DIY Home Energy Savings Tips, one item stood out to me. “Find and plug draft leaks.” This is advice not only for the winter months, but in the summer, when we are trying so hard to keep the house cool while the temperature reaches 100 degrees outside.

Snail Sakk reduces drafts and protects your privacy. Because the fabric lays over the mail slot opening and is opaque, drafts are lessened and peeking eyes can’t see into your home via the mail slot. Mail is also concealed from visitors within the home. Get some double-sided tape, make a square around the mail slot, attach some shrink wrap to the tape, then blow it with a hair dryer so it shrinks up nice and tight. Then just peel it off in the spring. If your door is painted, the tape could take some paint off with it when you take it off, so prepare for that. Door Draft Stoppers, Flat/Slotted Home Screwdrivers & Nut Drivers Insulated, Wooden Drafting Tables, Door Draft Guard, Wedge Draft Stopper Doorstops, Rubber Decorative Door Draft Stoppers, Insulated Lunch Bags, Dog Design Draft Stoppers, Mailboxes & Slots.

My old 1910 house leaks like a sieve, and this is an ongoing project for me. A couple of weeks ago, I placed gaskets inside my electrical outlets and light switches. Before that, I installed door sweeps along the bottom of my front and back doors.

We moved into my house in January 2019. It was cold outside, and we kept feeling a large draft near the stairs.

It was the mail slot on the wall next to the front door. One tiny metal flap that taps against the house when it’s windy is doing a fairly poor job of keeping out the drafts.

Our initial solution was to stuff paper towels in the slot. But after the mail comes, if we’re not home that doesn’t do us much good, since the paper towels and the mail are now on the floor.

I’ve been looking for something to cover this with since we moved in. I’ve checked hardware stores and searched on the internet, but I haven’t really found a good cover for these. I finally found something online that I hope will work.

It’s a mail bag. Its made from quite thick material, so I’m pretty sure it can keep out the drafts. I placed two Velcro strips above and below the mail slot. Then I attached the bag. Super easy solution—It didn’t even require me to use any tools.

This solution is also pretty handy, since it collects the mail in a bag instead of all over the floor.

Lisa, an Avista customer, bought her 1910 house because she loved the old-world character, some of which doesn’t make her house very energy efficient. Lisa is sharing her experience on taking some simple do-it-yourself improvements to inspire others to do the same. You’ll find her stories right here every Tuesday morning.

DraftDodger™ Classic

Engineered for maximum insulation performance, our DraftDodger™ Insulated Mail Slots cut drafts, reduce outside noise & odors, and offer increased security against break-ins & identity theft. The new standard for North American households and businesses, they are the best value in the marketplace!

  • Premium quality weather resistant surface mounted mail slot available in ONEsize & FOUR colors
  • One-sided, singleflap solution withNOpass-thrusleeve
  • Energy efficient, ideal for all climates
  • Insulating seal cuts drafts
  • Long lasting nylon torsion rods, acting as springs, keeping flap tightly shut
  • Removable brush strips for added insulation & privacy
  • Will not rust, frame made of high quality & high impact ABS plastic
  • Will not tarnish, flap made of anodized aluminum or powder coat painted aluminum
  • Ideal for wood, fiberglass, & metal entrance doors, as well as, garage doors
  • Easy to install
  • Mounting hardware included
  • Flap opens to 135° for easy access
  • Can be used on either interior or exterior (or both when two units are purchased) sides of door/wall
  • Surface mount allows for different colors inside & out (no pass-thru sleeve supplied – customer must create their own if desired)
  • Will fit all thickness of doors & walls but typically used for those thicker than 3 inches

Diy Mail Slot Draft Stopper

Mail

NB. For a two sided solution, please see ourElite model two-sided solution with pass-thru sleeveas an alternative.

11.5″ SURFACE MOUNT DIMENSIONS

Overall Frame Size – 11-1/2″ x 3″ (292mm x 76mm)
Cut Out Size – 10-1/4″ x 1-3/4″ (260mm x 45mm)
Slot Interior Clearance – 10″ x 1-9/16″ (254mm x 40mm)
Fits Existing Openings Up To – 10-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ (267mm x 70mm) or smaller

Installation Instructions: (Watch the Short Video Tutorials Now!)

Affix with provided hardware (it may be necessary to drill holes for mounting screws or bolts) For a superior seal, apply a bead of exterior-use silicon caulking on the underside of the unit when installing on an exterior-exposed door or wall.

COLOR & COMPOSITION

Mail Slot Draft Stopper

Draft Dodger™ Classic Surface Mount Insulated Mail Slot is available in FOUR colors to fit your decor. Gold or silver flap is anodized aluminum, while white or black flap is powder coated painted aluminum. Frame is made of high quality, high impact ABS plastic and includes black brush strips and draft excluding flap seat.

Door Mail Slot Draft Stopper

* Door installations should be at least 30″ from the bottom of the mail slot to the floor/ground for safety, convenience and proper mail slot performance.