How to build a timber surround for letterbox and tap?

[Ravhaven]

I want to build a timber surround for our front garden taps and include a letterbox. It would be about 700mm high, 700mm across the front and about the same on each side.  I am looking for some advice on the following points please;

1. I have looked at various timbers in your warehouse and like the look of Merbau decking 140mm x 19mm.  Would this timber be suitable?
2. This would end up being quite expensive.  Is there an alternative of similar colour?
3. I don’t want to keep painting/oiling timber.
4. I couldn’t find any posts that had a similar colour to Merbau – what would you suggest I use?  I am thinking of either 100mm2 or 100mm x 50mm
5. If I sent a design, are you able to cost it for me?
6. Can I order the timber online?
7. What are the charges in store, for cutting to length?  Including 45deg corners?
8. I am thinking of making the surround and then fixing it into the ground with 90deg metal stakes, would that work?

 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Ravhaven. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about building a timber letterbox and surround.

Merbau would be a suitable timber, though it requires a yearly oil coating to keep it looking its best. There's no alternative budget-friendly timber in that colouring; perhaps you could use 90 x 22mm Decking H3 Treated Pine and stain it to a Mebau colouring.

We stock Merbau posts in many locations, though treated Pine might be more suitable if you're looking for a low-cost option.

If you can provide a design, I can do my best to provide an approximation of the cost. 

Timber can be ordered online, but it would be best to attend a store if you require many different-sized cuts. The cutting charge is 50 cents per cut after the first two cuts per length. We are unable to cut at 45deg angles. Please remember this is a cut-to-length service and not a precision one, so there can be a variance in the cut lengths.

Fixing the surround to the ground with metal stakes sounds like a viable option.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Ravhaven]

Hi MitchellMc,

Thanks for your help.  I haven't got a design as such but can give you some proposed measurements, hope that's ok? 

I am thinking of either 140x19mm or 90x19mm Merbau or treated pine in Merbau is too expensive.  I'd appreciate a cost estimate on both, if you can please.  I also have to buy a letterbox to insert which I'll look at seperately.

I am thinking the front would be about 700 wide, 900mm on each of the two sides and about 900mm high.  I have roughly calculated about $500, including about $300 for timber and $200 for the box.  I am just wanting to know if this is close.

Appreciate your help

Thanks

Ravhaven

[EricL]

Hi @Ravhaven 

I've sketched up a sample timber surround based on your description and measurements. Please let me know if I've assembled it incorrectly. The approximate price for the surround using the 140x19 with posts is around $300.00 with screws included. The approximate price for the 90x19 surround is $260++ with posts included.

Please keep in mind that the Merbau decking panels are sold by the linear meter as they come in various lengths. I suggest having a look at 88 x 88mm 1.8m F7 H4 KD Treated Pine Premium Post as frame holder for the Merbau panels.

Please let me know if you wish to change the surrounds configuration, I'll be more than happy to update it for you.

Eric

[mmenzel]

Hi, I am wanting a merbau letterbox design too. All I am after is a screen as your design above but I want the merbau running horizontal as you have it at about 150cm wide and about 100 high. I want two aluminium frame posts on each end that then go into the ground to hold it. I then want to put a letterbox in the middle of it and put the house numbers on there. Are you able to design this and quote it? Thanks 

[JacobZ]

Hi @mmenzel,

I've created the below renders of a design that should work for you.

The design I'm proposing uses the following materials:

• ProtectorAl 50 x 50 x 1800mm Black Aluminium Pool and Garden In-ground Fence Post with Cap
• SpecRite 90 x 19mm Merbau Pre-Oiled Decking (approximately 16 lineal metres)
• Zenith 10G x 50mm Galvanised Countersunk Head Metal Screw - 50 Pack
• Zenith 10G x 30mm Galvanised Countersunk Head Timber Screws - 22 Pack
• Sandleford Black Napoli Wall Mount Letterbox.

The cost of materials, including the letterbox, is approximately $250.

I have left out the cost of numbers and concrete as they will be variable depending on your house number and the depth you wish to embed the posts.

In my example, I have left them whole at 1.8m with 800mm of depth into the earth. This can be reduced, but I would not have the posts embedded any less than 500mm.

Note the vertical support in the centre at the back of the structure. Due to the 1.5m span, it is likely over time that the timber would sag. I have included this to reduce this sag in the decking boards. This should be connected to the horizontal slats with 2 of the Zenith 10G x 30mm Galvanised Countersunk Head Timber Screws in each horizontal slat.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[mmenzel]

Hello, thanks for this. I will get some final measurements soon. Also can I choose the letterbox that goes in it? I was hoping for a flat on the front running more horizontal in the middle. I would be looking for large number 10 in gold to go underneath this. Am I able to attend a store or doethkng to finalise this design and do you guys create it or just give the supplies for us to make? Thank you

[JacobZ]

Hi @mmenzel,

You can change whatever you like with the design as long as it can be attached to the face of the slats in the same way and the laws of physics will allow for it.

I'm not 100% certain what style of letterbox you had in mind, but if you could link to one that you'd like I'd be happy to confirm its compatibility with this design.

You can select any style and combination of numbers that you would like, but it sounds like the Sandleford 75mm Brass House Numbers might be a good choice for you.

Any assistance with the design will have to go through Workshop as opposed to the stores. We act in conjunction, but separately to stores, so if you were to head in store, they would not be aware of this design. I'm happy to assist further if there are changes, you'd like to make.

Unfortunately, Bunnings do not offer construction services like this. I can recommend products and methods and offer assistance where required, but you would have to build it yourself. 

If you wanted someone to build it for you, feel free to contact a local handyman and show them this design, but they will have to quote you a cost for installation.

Let me know if you have any further questions or alterations you'd like me to make, I'll do my best to accommodate them.

Jacob