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Mounting Block for Exterior Lighting

15157 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Jim Port
I did a search and saw a few posts come up but none are for what I have going on. I recently had an addition build, shell only, and am doing the interior myself. I want to mount porch lights to the exterior of the building and since I have Bead type siding the box stores don't sell exactly what I need. I bought mounting blocks from a supply company but the guy working the counter didn't have a clue on instlaling them.

My question is, this particular mounting block comes in two parts, the part with the flange that mounts under the siding, and has a single hole through the center, in a propeller like cut, and a cover trim to cover the siding when put back on.

How do you mount a light to it? There's no screw locations, etc. Should there be an electrical box in the back? Any pictures/advice would be a huge help.

Thanks.
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How about a make and model for "this particular mounting block" ?

Or, a photo would help.
There's far better ones avalible that have the box built with into then. They have to be mounted horizontal for a light.
Lowes used to have them, any real siding supply should have them.
2
Here's what i figured out I had to do, not sure if your block is the same style, but anyways (and I was installing vinyl):

Where I was installing the mounting block, I had to replace the old brown board sheathing with a piece of plywood, just large enough to secure the plywood between two wall studs. This way when I mounted the flange of the block, it was held tight against the wall. Cut out a hole in the plywood for a electrical box.
Then I took and cut couple of pieces of plywood to fit inside of the box portion of the flanged part for stability, drilled a hole through the center for wiring, and mounted the light bracket to the face of the light box. snapped the cover on (hides the siding edges around the box) and mounted the lights. If you zoom in on where the wires come out, you may be able to see that its solid behind the face of the box. I have found just mounting lights without they tend to be to heavy and cause them to tilt, sag ect..

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In the photo above there should have been a electrical box behind the mounting block to contain the splice.

Arlington has what you need. Aifittings.com
There is an electrical box behind, the wires were pulled out for installation, and then pushed back through before mounting, its difficult to tell, becasue you see the tyvek, which is slotted for the passage of electrical wires.
Mount horizontal for lights and vertical for outlets.
Some brands have a larger snap on cover that can be used when a carrage lamp is installed.
Here's what i figured out I had to do, not sure if your block is the same style, but anyways (and I was installing vinyl):

Where I was installing the mounting block, I had to replace the old brown board sheathing with a piece of plywood, just large enough to secure the plywood between two wall studs. This way when I mounted the flange of the block, it was held tight against the wall. Cut out a hole in the plywood for a electrical box.
Then I took and cut couple of pieces of plywood to fit inside of the box portion of the flanged part for stability, drilled a hole through the center for wiring, and mounted the light bracket to the face of the light box. snapped the cover on (hides the siding edges around the box) and mounted the lights. If you zoom in on where the wires come out, you may be able to see that its solid behind the face of the box. I have found just mounting lights without they tend to be to heavy and cause them to tilt, sag ect..
I have that same exact siding. I don't have any pictures right now... but I know exactly what you guys are talking about. That website, arlington.com, doesn't seem to have anything as to what I need.

Thanks. I'm just very hesitant about cutting through my brand new siding. ;) As this was sort of an afterthought when the siding was going up.
I have that same exact siding. I don't have any pictures right now... but I know exactly what you guys are talking about. That website, arlington.com, doesn't seem to have anything as to what I need.

Thanks. I'm just very hesitant about cutting through my brand new siding. ;) As this was sort of an afterthought when the siding was going up.
The box shown in that link is an Arlington box.

I can't believe that they don't have a product that fits your needs.

http://www.aifittings.com/catalog/siding-mounting-blocks/
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