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Mail remains accessible without opening the door
At Polyclose in January, Frager presented a new door system with an integrated letterbox. With it, the Belgian company wants to offer a practical solution to a recognizable dilemma: a letterbox on the facade is functional, but is often perceived as a disturbing element by architects and residents. A mailbox in the front door looks sleeker, but in a well-insulated home it can cause drafts, noise and heat loss. “We noticed that the subject kept coming back. Then you automatically start thinking: this must be possible in a smarter way,” says Franck of Frager.
According to him, the trade show participation turned out more positive than expected. “Polyclose was really good. There were remarkably many Dutch visitors. People who didn't know us yet came to know
make and immediately made arrangements for follow-up.” Those conversations will be followed up in the coming months by Tommy Careel, who is visiting the Dutch market on behalf of Frager.
In Belgium, traditionally the mailbox is often in or on the facade. That works fine, but doesn't always fit the look of a sleek entrance. “Especially architects prefer to remove that mailbox from the facade,” Franck said. The logical solution then is a mailbox in the door panel. But that is precisely where problems often arise in practice, especially in homes where airtightness and insulation are increasingly important.
Frager sees that conventional letterbox flaps do not always fit properly. This creates drafts and noise, and in some systems the mailbox even forms a thermal bridge in an otherwise high-quality door panel. In addition, a collection tray is often missing, causing mail to fall to the ground or get wet.
Frager therefore developed a new concept, under the name Felix. The letterbox container is located entirely on the outside of the panel, i.e. in the cold zone. Inside, the Magnetude panel remains intact and insulated. The resident can still take the mail from the inside through a small window with thermal break.
“So you don't have to go outside to get your mail,” Franck says. “And at the same time, the door remains airtight and well insulated.” The system contains no flaps or hinged parts that can wear out or rattle.
The outside of the bin is shielded with a protective plate that is part of the construction. This keeps the contents protected from wind and water. Frager deliberately chose a solution without moving parts so that the system requires less maintenance.
The opening is also larger than in a classic letter slot. As a result, not only letters but also smaller packages fit in the bin. According to Frager, this is in line with changing usage: the mailbox is increasingly being given a role in package delivery and returns.
During interviews in the Netherlands, Frager noticed another point of use: residents of compact homes keep everything closed as much as possible in the winter to retain heat, but instead look for safe ventilation options in the summer. Felix offers an additional option in this regard. The interior window can be set to a tilting position, allowing ventilation without having to open the front door. Franck: “You get fresh air, but no one can get inside. People found that a surprising advantage.”
