A Look at the Numbers

Just a generation ago, a visit from the UPS or FedEx driver was probably an anxiously-awaited occasion. When we were expecting a large package or delivery from a friend or a company, many people would prioritize staying at home to receive the package physically. 

Today, however, receiving packages is an almost daily occurrence for most people.

Over 112 million Americans have an Amazon Prime subscription, which guarantees free, two-day shipping. These subscribers spend an average of $1,400 each year on online purchases. 

Similarly, one recent survey found that over a third of the internet using American adults had purchased groceries online in the previous months. The average American household receives 21 parcels each year, which roughly equals two packages per month. However, people in urban areas, younger households, and homes with at least two working adults, most likely receive many more deliveries than average.

Retail stores and businesses are quickly learning that e-commerce is the future of consumption. Almost all large retailers offer their delivery and parcel service. Amazon owns and operates 30,000 Amazon-branded delivery vehicles and 20,000 branded trailers. At the same time, a typical FedEx contractor can deliver up to 2,500 packages per day.

The procuring, packaging, and shipping of millions of parcels and packages is no small logistical miracle. However, up until now, homeowners, builders, and apartment associations have not kept up to pace with the massive surge in delivery services. Parcel delivery vestibules are one recent home innovation that is quickly gaining enormous popularity.

What Is a Parcel Delivery Vestibule?

Vestibules have long been an essential part of homes built in cold climates. They are an enduring aspect of vernacular architecture. In colder areas, a foyer was built at the front or side door of a home. Also known as a mudroom, this small room usually jutted away from the house's main façade and had two doors. The vestibule offered our agrarian ancestors a space to take off their dirty boots and overalls after a long day of working in the field. The double front doors also protected the home from cold drafts of wind and air when opening and closing exterior doors. 

These crucial additions to old homes acted like an extra layer of energy-efficiency before the use of high-efficiency insulation in homes was widespread.

Today, parcel delivery vestibules mainly offer a similar design to the standard cold rooms in older homes. High efficiency and super-sealed doors (check out this Rise guide) essentially make a vestibule unnecessary from an energy-efficiency and thermal performance perspective. However, the double front door concept is a great option for receiving parcels and deliveries safely, effectively, and reliably.

Why Are New Home Designs Including Parcel Delivery Vestibules? 

Most of us are not home during the day when the vast majority of parcels are delivered. A well-designed parcel delivery vestibule can allow a safe, sheltered place for the delivery driver to leave your box. Imagine a busy family ordering a couple of gallons of milk, a tub of vanilla ice cream, and some frozen pizzas from their local grocery store. If they had an unexpected errand and had to leave home, the ice cream, milk, and frozen goods probably wouldn't do too well sitting on the sunny front porch.