We’re replacing light fixtures as we replace fiberboard siding with horizontal Hardiboard siding. Any suggestions on finishing techniqes for mounting the new lights so that they are vertical and not leaning with the siding. The back of the lights are 10″ high so they will cover more than 1 board. Should be cut the FC board to fit the back of the lights and mount them flush with the plywood underlayer? Is there a way to may this look like it should? Thanks.
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The best way to do this IMHO is to leave the siding and add a fabricated vertical/notched scribed wood block (use mahoghany) that fits just inside of the fixture canopy. Don't cut the siding.
T. Jeffery Clarke
The way I usually do light fixtures on a Hardiplank job is to fabricate mounting blocks (usually 1 1/2" cedar) that get screwed directly to the wall sheathing. The blocks get a hole for installing round elec. boxes- 3 1/8" dia. hole for 3" boxes, 3 5/8" dia. hole for 3 1/2" boxes. The fixtures are wired and mounted to the boxes. The siding is installed and cut around the blocks and caulked, just as they would be around window trim or at corner boards.
Ken Hill
There are plastic boxes that solve this problem. They have a flange to fasten them to the sheathing and a lip to cover the siding edges. They come in various sizes, from 4 in. square to large enough to mount a meter can. They can be mounted and look just OK. Better than some solution I have seen.
A local contractor Cuts a piece of 2 by PT and hole saws the center for an electrical box. He mounts them with the grain vertical to the sheathing. Having slightly beveled the top he also flashes the top. Primed and painted with the siding butted to the sides and caulked it actually looks pretty good. It also provides a solid mounting for the lights I have to install. He builds quality homes that are well planned and a relative joy to work on.
I do it exactly the same way. Sometimes I'll duplicate the outline of the light base but with slightly larger dimension if the situation cries out for it.
Ken and Notch have it right. A block thick enough to stand proud of the siding is mounted firmly and directly to the sheathing/housewrap. Siding is notched around and flashed as a window and/or door. Cedar.......straight grain fir.....even pt in a pinch if it'll be able to match the finish.
Square, rectangle.....shaped to match the mounting base...what ever ya need.....but square or rectangle seems the tradition around here. Jeff "That's like hypnotizing chickens........."
Thanks for all the input. Sounds like something we can do.
Benay