How To Install Window Flower Boxes On Vinyl Siding

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

And and then, this ended up being my Virtually Pop Blog POST in 2019. So it'south safe to say that there are lots of other people confused about their window box installation.

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

The Problem with Installing Window Boxes on Siding

When I was first researching how to adhere window boxes to vinyl siding, the ONLY results were advertisements for vinyl siding hooks, which expect like this:

VInyl siding hooks, not correct for hanging a window box

Manifestly, plastic siding hooks are not going to hold a window box.

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

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

So, information technology made me wonder. Why is everyone so anti-drill for siding?

Afterward way too much time typing variations of the phrase "Am I a terrible person if I drill into my siding?" into Google… I came to a conclusion.

Is information technology okay to drill into your vinyl siding?

The verdict is, you can. And you won't exist immediately banished!

HOWEVER, there is a reason that people want to avoid it.

Siding evidently protects the wood underneath from existence exposed to water and all the other elements. So when you put a hole in it, theoretically, in that location is a pocket-size risk of water getting behind your siding.

Then ane affair you definitely shouldn't practice is drill hundreds of holes into the exterior of your house for funsies.

Simply… the risk of h2o getting behind your siding and actually causing a serious issue is very, very tiny. If y'all decide at whatever point 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 up holes in your siding.

So now that we all experience skillful about information technology, let'due south finally go over how to hang window boxes on siding–the right way.

Related: How to Paint Your Front Door the Easy Mode

Supplies to Attach Your Window Box to Vinyl Siding

To make information technology equally like shooting fish in a barrel equally possible, I've attached links to both Home Depot and Lowe'south. Both stores offer online ordering and usually do same-solar day pickup. Let's get this done.

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

It's very possible that y'all already know what the steps are going to exist now that you lot've seen the supply list.

The hero of this simple installation is the L-bracket (also called a corner brace). Since your window box is going to be pretty heavy with the soil, plants, and h2o, you'll want to go the largest size brackets that fit your window box.And in one case you find the amazing power of corner braces, you'll immediately realize all the amazing ways y'all can use them to make TONS of other projects. I used them for projects like my rectangle shelf, and fake floating shelves. You lot can meet how these work correct here:

uses for corner braces, fake floating shelves

Stride 1: Hang L-Bracket on Siding

Go your brackets and cull where y'all want your window box to sit down. Make certain your brackets are level, and and so marking the holes from the bracket.

So, use your drill bit to drill a pilot pigsty through your siding and into the woods behind it.

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

Of grade, I don't accept a motion-picture show of this because I originally did this in 2018, and I was quite literally juggling two kids under two–and not doing it all that well.

But here'southward a picture from HGTV that shows you what this will look like.

L-bracket to attach window box to siding

In this picture, it looks similar they painted their bracket and spiral….. But don't practice that. Y'all won't ever run across the bracket, and painting hardware in general is a no-no.

Related post: How to Paint Your Spindles

Footstep 2: Attach Window Box to the Brackets

Now, put your window box on top of the brackets. You lot'll drill pilot holes the same mode you lot just did, and so add your woods screws. You'll be able to feel the box tighten on the bracket.

Bracket used to attach window box to siding

Then, drill more pilot holes all around the bottom of your box for drainage. You can use a large drill chip for this part if yous have one.

Bracket used to attach window box to vinyl siding

Oh, the irony. Now that it's 2022, a sold Four years of DIY do later on this original postal service, and I am merely realizing that I recall the screws I used for this project were as well small.

So don't utilize this image in a higher place every bit an example of which screws to get. Make certain your screw heads don't go THROUGH the holes in your steel bracket. You lot'll probably want to look for #x or #12 screws, depending on what size brackets you become.

Step three: Fill Your Window Box + Admire Your Work

Yeah, that is seriously how easy information technology is to install a window box to vinyl siding! At present information technology's only the fun role–adding flowers!

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

As I mentioned, these window boxes were the first thing I ever truly built, 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 some other role of the ugly exterior.

This year (2022), I'm about to dive into a few more than outside projects that are relatively easy and volition transform my unabridged house. Come follow along on TikTok or Instagram!

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