I have an embarassingly simple question. I have just finished installing fiber cement lap siding and am about to re-install some exterior light fixtures. How do you get the base of the fixture to be vertical, rather than parallel with the siding. This matter for two reasons, 1) the light fixtures are dark sky compliant and if tilted will be less effective, and 2) the anal compulsive side of my personality just can’t belive that someone hasn’t solved this “problem” before.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Replies
A flat "plaque" on the wall that the siding goes to.
There are lite boxes, outlet boxes etc that you can view in a parts catalogue for vinyl siding to get the idea.
Of course you'll have to deal with water intrusion issues and properly flash these type of plaques you will build for your application.
For all I know, there's already a premade fibre-cement one.
If it's not too late, one of the better ways to do this is to trim out the box (much like a window) and then shingle around it. The trim needs to be wide enough to accomodate the base of the light fixture and ideally, the box should be flush with the face of the trim. You could also use box entenders to bring the box flush. PVC trim would be a good choice to trim around the box.
What Don said, is exactly what I did. I placed all my fixtures on a 2X or 1X piece of rectangular trim wood and brought the siding up to it. Same with receps and all HVAC projections. Let me know if pics would help.
He could use a multi-master type tool with a carbide abrasive cutter to trim back the siding for enough clearance for the PVC trim.
Nine times out of ten you can carefully "form" (*) the fixture to be straight even though the mounting surface is slanted -- this is what I prefer to do. Otherwise you can buy plastic pieces that fit under the fixture to level it off (though I find them to be incredibly ugly). As someone else said, you could have installed flat blocks around the boxes and fit the siding up to them, but it's apparently too late for that.
(*) I was taught at IBM that you never "bend" something, you "form" it.
Calvin has it exactly right
Including the notes about flashing the mounting blocks ... It's a pain in the neck to take it apart at this point but well worth to get the results right
I think "forming" is best --
I think "forming" is best -- no extra joints, no unwanted "architectural features".
Since your siding is already up, do a search for "light blocks".
This is the first hit I got: http://www.antalproducts.com/light_blocks_main.html
I prefer to install a wood block prior to installing the claps then flash and install the siding around the block, like some of the other boys mentioned.