Choosing the Right Letter Plate
A letter plate provides an opening through an entrance door for receiving post while also forming a prominent piece of front door furniture.
Because letter plates are positioned centrally on many entrance doors, their size, shape and finish can have a significant influence on the overall appearance of the entrance.
When choosing a letter plate, consider the overall dimensions, aperture size, door thickness, fixing centres, internal cover or tidy, weather exposure and surrounding door furniture.
Traditional Letter Plates
Traditional letter plates are particularly well suited to period properties, cottages, Georgian and Victorian-style entrances and traditional timber doors.
Heavyweight brass designs, decorative clappers and finishes such as Aged Brass, Bronze, Black and Pewter can help create an entrance that complements the architectural character of an older property.
Polished Brass and Polished Nickel provide a brighter and more formal appearance and can work particularly well on traditional painted entrance doors.
Letter Plates with Clappers
A letter plate with clapper combines the postal flap with a traditional knocker-style feature.
This allows the fitting to perform two functions while creating a distinctive focal point on the entrance door.
Clapper designs can be particularly attractive on period and traditional properties where decorative front door furniture forms an important part of the overall entrance.
Always check the projection and overall dimensions before ordering, as a clapper will generally project further from the door than a simple letter plate.
Art Deco & Decorative Letter Plates
For properties where the entrance furniture is intended to become a design feature, a decorative or Art Deco letter plate can provide an alternative to a simple rectangular postal flap.
These designs work particularly well when coordinated with matching centre knobs, door knockers, handles or other architectural ironmongery.
Consider the complete layout of the entrance before drilling, particularly where several decorative fittings will be positioned on the same door.
Letter Plate Covers & Tidies
A letter plate cover or letterbox tidy is fitted to the internal face of the door behind the external letter plate.
It provides a neater internal finish around the postal opening and can help reduce the direct path through the door opening.
Some traditional letter plate systems are specifically designed to be paired with a matching internal cover or tidy.
When combining separate external and internal components, check that the dimensions and aperture positions are compatible.
Choosing the Correct Letter Plate Size
Letter plates vary considerably in overall size and aperture dimensions.
Before ordering, check the overall width and height, postal aperture, fixing centres and door thickness.
If replacing an existing letter plate, measuring the current fixing holes and cut-out can make it much easier to select a replacement that covers the existing door preparation.
The new plate should also be proportionate to the size and panel layout of the entrance door.
Letter Plates & Door Thickness
Door thickness is particularly important where the letter plate uses bolts that pass through the complete door.
Different products have different maximum door-thickness capacities and supplied fixing lengths.
Always check the individual dimensions before ordering, especially on substantial solid-timber entrance doors or where additional internal door finishes are present.
Choosing a Letter Plate Finish
The letter plate is often one of the largest pieces of visible metalwork on a front door, so its finish should be considered alongside the rest of the entrance furniture.
Aged Brass, Aged Bronze, Black and Pewter Patina work particularly well with traditional and period-style doors.
Polished Brass, Polished Bronze and Polished Nickel can provide a brighter and more decorative appearance.
For exposed entrance doors, always check that the individual finish is recommended for the particular external conditions and follow the manufacturer's maintenance guidance.
Coordinating Front Door Furniture
A letter plate normally looks best when considered as part of the complete entrance.
It can be coordinated with door knockers, centre door knobs, house numbers, escutcheons and door handles in matching or complementary finishes.
Before drilling any new entrance door, it is worth temporarily positioning all of the visible hardware together to ensure the spacing and proportions look balanced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a letter plate?
A letter plate is a fitting installed through an entrance door to provide an opening for receiving post.
It normally consists of an external frame and flap, with some systems also using a separate internal cover or tidy.
What is the difference between a letter plate and letterbox tidy?
The letter plate is fitted to the external face of the door and provides the postal opening.
A letterbox tidy or cover is fitted internally to provide a neater finish around the opening on the inside of the door.
What is a letter plate with clapper?
A letter plate with clapper incorporates a traditional knocker-style element into the letter plate design.
It can provide both a decorative feature and a means of knocking on the entrance door.
How do I measure for a replacement letter plate?
Check the overall plate dimensions, aperture size, fixing centres and door thickness.
If possible, measure the existing cut-out and fixing holes before removing the old letter plate.
Are letter plates suitable for external doors?
Letter plates are designed for entrance-door applications, but the suitability of individual materials and finishes varies according to the level of exposure.
Always check the individual product specification, particularly for highly exposed or coastal locations.
Can I match a letter plate with my door knocker?
Yes. Coordinating the letter plate with the door knocker, centre door knob and other entrance furniture can create a much more balanced front door design.
Matching finishes is the simplest approach, although complementary finishes can also work well.
Does a letter plate help prevent draughts?
Some letter plates incorporate spring-loaded flaps, and an internal letter plate cover or tidy can help improve the arrangement around the postal opening.
However, performance varies between products, so check the individual product specification where draught reduction is particularly important.
Can I fit a letter plate to a thick timber door?
Potentially, but check the product's maximum door thickness and supplied fixing-bolt length before ordering.
Different letter plates accommodate different door thicknesses.
Need Help Choosing a Letter Plate?
The correct letter plate will depend on your door dimensions, existing aperture, door thickness, preferred design and surrounding entrance furniture.
Roundtower Hardware supplies a wide range of letter plates in Ireland, including traditional, brass, Art Deco and clapper designs together with matching internal covers and tidies.
Browse our collection online or contact our team if you need help coordinating a letter plate with your door knocker, centre knob or other entrance ironmongery.
