How To Attach A Window Box To Vinyl Siding

Fun fact: when I originally wrote this postal service in 2018, I had VERY Lilliputian of anything DIY-related figured out. I thought that maybe the residual of the world already knew how to adhere a window box to siding and would retrieve I was stupid for writing this. Only since Google hadn't helped me when I searched for instructions, I wrote this anyway.

And so, this ended upwardly beingness my MOST POPULAR BLOG Mail service in 2019. So it's safety to say that in that location are lots of other people confused about their window box installation.

In reality, this is an EXTREMELY solvable problem. Read on for the cardinal and all the other details you need to easily bandbox upwardly your curb appeal.

The Trouble with Installing Window Boxes on Siding

When I was first researching how to attach window boxes to vinyl siding, the ONLY results were advertisements for vinyl siding hooks, which wait similar this:

VInyl siding hooks, not correct for hanging a window box

Evidently, plastic siding hooks are non going to hold a window box.

Psssst, here are my instructions to build a window box. This was the showtime thing I ever built–you could exercise it to!

In fact, EVERYTHING that showed upwards was an advertisement for a way to adhere things to vinyl siding without drilling holes. They were mainly focused on light things similar wreaths or flowers–definitely not for attaching something every bit heavy as a window box.

Then, it fabricated me wonder. Why is everyone and so anti-drill for siding?

After way as well much fourth dimension typing variations of the phrase "Am I a terrible person if I drill into my siding?" into Google… I came to a decision.

Is it okay to drill into your vinyl siding?

The verdict is, y'all tin. And you won't be immediately banished!

HOWEVER, there is a reason that people desire to avoid information technology.

Siding obviously protects the wood underneath from being exposed to h2o and all the other elements. So when yous put a hole in it, theoretically, in that location is a small risk of h2o getting behind your siding.

Then one thing yous definitely shouldn't do is drill hundreds of holes into the exterior of your firm for funsies.

Simply… the run a risk of h2o getting behind your siding and actually causing a serious issue is very, very tiny. If you decide at any bespeak to remove your window boxes, you lot can easily patch these holes with caulk.

And since window boxes are most likely a permanent fixture, you're not leaving open holes in your siding.

So now that we all experience good about it, let's finally go over how to hang window boxes on siding–the right manner.

Related: How to Paint Your Front end Door the Piece of cake Way

Supplies to Attach Your Window Box to Vinyl Siding

To make information technology as easy equally possible, I've attached links to both Habitation Depot and Lowe'southward. Both stores offer online ordering and usually practice aforementioned-day pickup. Let'south get this done.

2 steel L- brackets or "corner braces" per window box – Home Depot | Lowe'due south
Drill or impact commuter – Home Depot | Lowe'due south
One drill bit a little smaller than the size of your screw – Abode Depot | Lowe's
Wood screws that fit your L-bracket (and at least one inch) – Home Depot | Lowe's
Level – Dwelling Depot | Lowe'south

Information technology's very possible that you already know what the steps are going to be at present that you've seen the supply list.

The hero of this elementary installation is the 50-bracket (as well called a corner brace). Since your window box is going to exist pretty heavy with the soil, plants, and water, you lot'll desire to get the largest size brackets that fit your window box.And in one case you discover the astonishing power of corner braces, you lot'll immediately realize all the amazing ways yous tin use them to brand TONS of other projects. I used them for projects like my rectangle shelf, and fake floating shelves. You can see how these work right hither:

uses for corner braces, fake floating shelves

Stride 1: Hang L-Bracket on Siding

Become your brackets and cull where y'all want your window box to sit. Make certain your brackets are level, and then mark the holes from the bracket.

Then, use your drill scrap to drill a pilot hole through your siding and into the wood behind it.

Then use your drill and the wood screws to attach the bracket to the siding.

Of course, I don't have a picture of this because I originally did this in 2018, and I was quite literally juggling two kids nether ii–and not doing it all that well.

But hither's a picture from HGTV that shows you what this will look similar.

L-bracket to attach window box to siding

In this pic, it looks like they painted their bracket and screw….. Merely don't do that. You won't e'er come across the subclass, and painting hardware in general is a no-no.

Related post: How to Paint Your Spindles

Footstep two: Attach Window Box to the Brackets

Now, put your window box on acme of the brackets. You'll drill pilot holes the same fashion y'all simply did, so add your wood screws. You lot'll exist able to feel the box tighten on the bracket.

Bracket used to attach window box to siding

And then, drill more pilot holes all around the bottom of your box for drainage. You can use a big drill chip for this part if y'all have one.

Bracket used to attach window box to vinyl siding

Oh, the irony. Now that it's 2022, a sold 4 years of DIY practice after this original mail service, and I am just realizing that I think the screws I used for this project were too pocket-sized.

So don't use this image above as an example of which screws to become. Make sure your screw heads don't go THROUGH the holes in your steel bracket. You'll probably desire to look for #10 or #12 screws, depending on what size brackets you get.

Step 3: Fill Your Window Box + Admire Your Work

Yep, that is seriously how like shooting fish in a barrel it is to install a window box to vinyl siding! Now it'southward but the fun role–adding flowers!

Don't forget to check out my list of the all-time ways to decorate your window box for the Fall: The Best Autumn Window Box Ideas

As I mentioned, these window boxes were the kickoff matter I always truly congenital, and they were the final step of my 2018-mini-curb-entreatment-boost. I also painted my shutters, and used a trellis creatively to beautify another part of the ugly exterior.

This yr (2022), I'm near to dive into a few more than exterior projects that are relatively easy and volition transform my entire house. Come follow forth on TikTok or Instagram!

Related post: How to Wrap Porch Posts with Wood (pictured below)