Press Kit — 2026
Block Out The Air
Block Out The Air
About
BOTA is a hardware brand focused on redefining overlooked architectural details through material, engineering, and design.
Most people have a love-hate relationship with their mail slot. They love the convenience of receiving mail directly into their home. They hate the cold air in winter, the heat in summer, and the draft they have learned to live with because no better option existed.
BOTA was built to change that. The Brass-Seal™ system and the Mail Slot Insulator are designed so the mail slot is no longer a source of discomfort. The convenience stays. The draft does not.
A love-love relationship with your mail slot is now possible.
With a focus on performance and refined craftsmanship, BOTA develops products that elevate the experience of everyday interactions with the home. The mail slot is one of the most frequently used elements, and one of the most overlooked.
The Brass-Seal™ system addresses that gap with solid forged brass construction, independently tested performance, and finishes that hold under the conditions of daily exterior life. Every component is designed to operate in concert, completing the building envelope at one of its most exposed points.
Two components. One building envelope. Specifiable individually or as a complete assembly.
01
Solid forged brass face plate. Stronger magnetic compression for exterior application. All visible components finished to match. Continuous perimeter gasket. PVD: Satin Brass, Satin Nickel, Satin Black.
Independently completes the building envelope at the exterior door surface.
02
Solid forged brass face plate. Calibrated closure mechanism. All visible components finished to match. Continuous perimeter gasket. PVD: Satin Brass, Satin Nickel, Satin Black.
Independently completes the building envelope at the interior door surface.
The Brass-Seal™ Forged Brass Mail Slot has been independently tested to ASTM E283 air infiltration standards by Intertek. Each component is available individually or specified together as a complete system, providing seamless architectural continuity from exterior face plate through to the interior face plate. The Mail Slot Insulator is a separate product, available independently as a retrofit solution for existing exterior slots, or specified alongside the Exterior Forged Brass Mail Slot.
Available Finishes — PVD
Whether specified as an exterior unit, an interior unit, or a complete paired system, Brass-Seal™ is engineered so each configuration independently restores the integrity of the building envelope.
No combination is a compromise.
Solid forged brass construction. Each slot uses a closure mechanism that maintains consistent compression against a polyurea-lined gasket within the flap cavity, absorbing impact and softening the transmission of exterior noise. A perimeter gasket located between the rear of the slot and the door face seals the hardware to the door, eliminating hidden air gaps.
Precision-engineered to hold. The hardware performs at the level of the door.
The Brass-Seal™ mail slots are forged, not cast. Forged brass is denser, and the difference is immediately apparent in the hand. The slot is sleek in appearance, and the weight is what is surprising. At 3.16 lbs for the magazine size, it is approximately three times the weight of conventional alternatives. Customers notice this the moment it is removed from the packaging.
The face of the flap carries intentional striations, a surface characteristic of the finishing process. They are most visible when the slot is tilted in the hand, catching light at different angles. The PVD finish bonds at the molecular level to the solid forged brass, engineered to hold its appearance over time.
The polyurea-lined cavity gasket looks like black patent leather on a cushion. The compression is surprising. The closure is exact.
Customers have described it as beautiful.
Each forged brass mail slot is a complete sealing system, engineered to perform independently.
The exterior Forged Brass Mail Slot is the exterior component of the Brass-Seal™ system. A heat resistant magnetic closure maintains consistent compression against a polyurea-lined gasket within the flap cavity, absorbing impact and softening the transmission of exterior noise.
The closure magnet is engineered for high-temperature performance, retaining approximately 90% pull strength at 212°F, a threshold relevant to direct sun exposure on dark or south-facing doors.
A perimeter gasket located between the rear of the slot and the door face seals the hardware to the door, eliminating hidden air gaps.
All visible components, including screws and hinge pins, are finished to match the body. Solid forged brass face plate in all three PVD finishes.
Key Characteristics
| Construction | Solid forged brass |
| Compression | Heat resistant magnetic closure |
| Cavity gasket | Polyurea-lined; absorbs impact, softens exterior noise transmission |
| Perimeter gasket | Continuous; located between rear of slot and door face, eliminates hidden air gaps |
| Finish process | PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) |
| Finishes | Satin Brass / Satin Nickel / Satin Black |
| Sizes | Letter / Magazine |
| Hardware | All components finished to match |
| Installation | Installs into standard door cutout. No modifications required. |
| Pricing | Letter $315 / Magazine $350 |
| Set Pricing | Letter set $595 / Magazine set $685 |
| Available | blockouttheair.com |
Each forged brass mail slot is a complete sealing system, engineered to perform independently.
The Interior Forged Brass Mail Slot is the interior component of the Brass-Seal™ system.
A perimeter gasket located between the rear of the slot and the door face seals the hardware to the door, eliminating hidden air gaps.
The calibrated magnetic closure is engineered with reduced resistance for mail delivery.
PVD Finishes
Key Characteristics
| Construction | Solid forged brass |
| Compression | Calibrated magnetic closure, reduced resistance for mail delivery |
| Cavity gasket | Polyurea-lined; absorbs impact, softens exterior noise transmission |
| Perimeter gasket | Continuous; located between rear of slot and door face, eliminates hidden air gaps |
| Finish process | PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) |
| Finishes | Satin Brass / Satin Nickel / Satin Black |
| Sizes | Letter / Magazine |
| Hardware | All components finished to match |
| Installation | Installs into standard door cutout. No modifications required. |
| Pricing | Letter $315 / Magazine $350 |
| Set Pricing | Letter set $595 / Magazine set $685 |
| Available | blockouttheair.com |
Recognized with a Gold Award in Product Design at the London Design Awards 2024, the Mail Slot Insulator is designed to improve comfort and privacy without altering existing hardware. The Insulator clicks apart and expands to fit the mail slot opening, pressing firmly against foam that holds it in place within the door cavity. No tools required.
Installed within the door cavity, the insulator adds a discreet layer of insulation and visual privacy. Durable materials are selected to maintain performance over time while remaining unobtrusive once in place.
Designed as a retrofit solution, the Mail Slot Insulator can be paired with the Exterior Forged Brass Mail Slot or used independently where an existing exterior slot is to remain. Properties of historic origin or clients who wish to retain an existing exterior mail slot can add the Insulator without replacement.
Available as a standalone product exclusively at blockouttheair.com.
BOTA commissioned independent air leakage testing on the Brass-Seal™ mail slot system. Intertek conducted the testing to ASTM E283 at 75 Pa, the equivalent of approximately 25 mph of wind pressing directly against the door, the Brass-Seal™ held.
ASTM E283 Air Leakage Results — Tested by Intertek at 75 Pa
Units: CFM/ft²
| Configuration | Infiltration | Exfiltration | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side-Hinged Exterior Door | ≤ 0.30 | ≤ 0.30 | Reference benchmark |
| Conventional mail slot | Not tested | Not tested | Open, unsealed airflow path |
| Brass-Seal™ Exterior Forged Brass Mail Slot | 0.20 | 0.11 | Controlled airflow at the exterior layer |
| Brass-Seal™ Interior Forged Brass Mail Slot | 0.12 | 0.06 | Further reduced at the interior layer |
| Brass-Seal™ System — Exterior + Interior | 0.20 | 0.11 | Layered system performance under pressure |
Under pressure testing, the exterior slot is the primary limiting layer. The interior slot performs to a tighter result when tested independently. Both results are verified by Intertek. The system result reflects this behavior and is accurate as reported.
What the Results Mean
The Brass-Seal™ system maintains continuity of the building envelope at the mail slot opening, controlling air movement under real-world pressure conditions.
Each component is independently tested and verified to control air leakage at the mail slot opening under ASTM E283 conditions. The exterior slot performs on its own. The interior slot performs on its own. Either unit addresses the mail slot as a performance detail without requiring the other.
Together, they address one of the most frequently used elements of the front door, and one of the most overlooked in specification.
By Configuration
Two units. One system. Independently tested. The entrance performs at the level the door demands.
The results are being made public because the standard for how openings in the door are designed, tested, and evaluated should be higher. BOTA intends to set it.
Brass-Seal™ System
| Material | Solid forged brass |
| Finish options | Satin Brass, Satin Nickel, Satin Black |
| Finish process | PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) |
| Exterior closure | Heat resistant magnetic closure |
| Interior closure | Calibrated magnetic closure |
| Cavity gasket | Polyurea-lined |
| Perimeter gasket | Continuous; between rear of slot and door face |
| Sizes | Letter / Magazine |
| System configuration | Individual components or complete assembly |
| Hardware | All visible components finished to match |
| Testing standard | ASTM E283 (air infiltration / exfiltration) |
| Testing authority | Intertek |
| Intertek report number | T4376.01-301-44-R1 |
Full Technical Data Available
Complete dimensional specifications, weights, and ASTM E283 test results are available in the BOTA Technical Specification Sheet. Request via [email protected].
PVD Finish Guide
Satin Brass
Warm, muted brass tone with soft brushed appearance. Complements traditional and modern architecture.
Satin Nickel
Cool, balanced metallic finish with subtle sheen. Neutral tone integrating with a wide range of materials.
Satin Black
Deep, low-sheen black with smooth even surface. Suited for contemporary and minimalist applications.
Care
Clean with soft cloth and mild soap if needed. Avoid abrasive materials or harsh chemicals. Dry after exposure to moisture. No special maintenance required under normal conditions.
The building envelope is designed to control air movement through walls, windows, and doors. One of the most common openings in the front door, the mail slot, has historically remained outside that performance framework.
While exterior doors are routinely tested under ASTM E283 conditions, mail slots have rarely, if ever, been engineered and validated as part of the air barrier. Brass-Seal™ addresses this gap directly, bringing measurable performance to a detail that has long been overlooked.
For Architects
The mail slot is one of the most frequently used elements of the front door, and one of the most overlooked in specification. Most available options offer no engineered performance standard.
Each forged brass mail slot is a complete sealing system, engineered to perform independently.
The Brass-Seal™ system provides an independently tested, patent-protected alternative with continuity of finish from exterior face plate to interior face plate. It can be specified individually or as a complete assembly.
For Builders
A complete building envelope at the threshold requires attention to every penetration. The Brass-Seal™ system addresses the mail slot as a performance detail, not a decorative afterthought.
Independently tested and proven. ASTM E283 results available from Intertek.
For Editors
The front door sets the standard for everything inside. In architecture and interior design, the entrance is where material choices and refined details are put on display. BOTA begins with the hardware.
The Brass-Seal™ system and the Mail Slot Insulator represent the first two products from a brand built on the premise that overlooked details deserve the same consideration as any other design decision.
In a category long defined by compromise, the Brass-Seal™ system establishes a new standard. Independently tested to ASTM E283, it demonstrates negligible air leakage at 75 Pa and is among the first mail slot assemblies to publish verified infiltration data. Each configuration is engineered as a complete sealing system, restoring the integrity of the building envelope at the point it was once most exposed.
DeeDee Cobb
Founder, BOTA
DeeDee Cobb is the founder of BOTA, a hardware brand focused on redefining overlooked architectural details through material, engineering, and design. She holds a doctorate in pharmacy, a profession where precision is not a preference but a requirement.
That same standard of care informs how BOTA approaches hardware. With a focus on performance and refined craftsmanship, the company develops products that elevate the experience of everyday interactions with the home.
The Brass-Seal™ system and the BOTA Mail Slot Insulator, a 2024 London Design Awards Gold Winner, are the first expressions of that mission.
Warmly,
DeeDee Cobb
Founder, BOTA
Awards
2024 London Design Awards — Gold, Mail Slot Insulator
Patents
Two utility patents granted (Mail Slot Insulator)
Brass-Seal™ System — patent pending
Pricing
Exterior Forged Brass Mail Slot — Letter $315 / Magazine $350
Interior Forged Brass Mail Slot — Letter $315 / Magazine $350
Brass-Seal™ System — Letter set $595 / Magazine set $685
Mail Slot Insulator — Letter $119 / Magazine $129
All products available exclusively at blockouttheair.com. Price is the same across all PVD finishes. Individual orders generally in stock and ship promptly.
Trade
Trade pricing available upon request.
[email protected]
Available Press Assets
Hi-resolution product photography
Technical Specification Sheet (dimensions, weights, ASTM E283 data)
Finish sample reference files
Two press releases — available at blockouttheair.com
Block Out The Air
Defining the New Standard in Brass
Press Kit
2026
Press Kit 2026
