Installing Exterior Lights On Siding

The only difference between installing interior and exterior lights is that exterior lights as well as all the wiring to which they are connected need protection against moisture.

Installing exterior lights on siding. Exterior light installation instructions are easy to find but what do you do for replacement siding jobs not new construction when you have extra hollow s. The siding isn t flat so i was wondering how to install exterior lights by my entry doors so that the base of the light sits flush on the siding. Using a carpenter s pencil and a 6 level scribe a straight vertical line directly along the exterior surface where the outer edge of the starter plank will sit. When the siders install the siding box they will then usually knock out the round ko on the box and line it up with the box.

I found that it is best to install an 1 1 2 deep 8b box on the rough in. Poke the wire in with a plastic cable bushing and screw it to the sheathing. For instance mounting blocks come in a range of profiles to fit different styles of siding. Im assuming that these boxes arent rated for wiring inside.

You might be tempted to go the diy path but there are still many ways for things to go wrong. Hold the starter plank up to the level line and secure it into the plywood backing using a nail gun and stainless steel 2 nails. For adequate support you can mount exterior light fixtures to a solid block or base which you usually install before or during the siding process. Push the wire through the cable connecter then screw the block to the sheathing.

Cut attach vertical planks. Usually the siding guys leave my wire stubbed out and i put a siding block on after the fact. I live in a 30 year old house with 30 year old vinyl siding.