How To Put Window Boxes On Vinyl Siding

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

And and so, this ended upwards being my Nearly POPULAR Weblog POST in 2019. And so it's rubber to say that in that location are lots of other people dislocated about their window box installation.

In reality, this is an EXTREMELY solvable problem. Read on for the key and all the other details you lot demand to easily spruce upwardly your curb appeal.

The Problem with Installing Window Boxes on Siding

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

VInyl siding hooks, not correct for hanging a window box

Obviously, plastic siding hooks are not going to concur a window box.

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

In fact, EVERYTHING that showed up was an advert for a style to attach things to vinyl siding without drilling holes. They were mainly focused on low-cal things like wreaths or flowers–definitely non for attaching something every bit heavy every bit a window box.

And so, it made me wonder. Why is everyone so anti-drill for siding?

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

Is it okay to drill into your vinyl siding?

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

All the same, there is a reason that people want to avoid it.

Siding obviously protects the woods underneath from existence exposed to water and all the other elements. So when you put a hole in it, theoretically, there is a minor risk of water getting behind your siding.

So one affair you definitely shouldn't do is drill hundreds of holes into the outside of your firm for funsies.

Simply… the hazard of h2o getting behind your siding and really causing a serious issue is very, very tiny. If y'all decide at any 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 holes in your siding.

So now that we all feel skillful near it, let's finally go over how to hang window boxes on siding–the right fashion.

Related: How to Paint Your Front Door the Like shooting fish in a barrel Way

Supplies to Attach Your Window Box to Vinyl Siding

To make it as easy as possible, I've attached links to both Home Depot and Lowe's. Both stores offer online ordering and usually do same-day pickup. Let's go this done.

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

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

The hero of this elementary installation is the L-bracket (too chosen a corner caryatid). Since your window box is going to be pretty heavy with the soil, plants, and water, you'll want to get the largest size brackets that fit your window box.And once y'all observe the amazing power of corner braces, y'all'll immediately realize all the amazing means you can employ them to make TONS of other projects. I used them for projects like my rectangle shelf, and fake floating shelves. Y'all tin can see how these work right here:

uses for corner braces, fake floating shelves

Step 1: Hang L-Bracket on Siding

Become your brackets and choose where you want your window box to sit down. Make sure your brackets are level, and then marking the holes from the bracket.

So, use your drill flake to drill a pilot hole through your siding and into the wood backside it.

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

Of grade, I don't accept a picture of this because I originally did this in 2018, and I was quite literally juggling 2 kids nether two–and non doing it all that well.

But here's a picture from HGTV that shows you what this will look similar.

L-bracket to attach window box to siding

In this moving picture, it looks like they painted their bracket and spiral….. But don't exercise that. You won't ever meet the subclass, and painting hardware in general is a no-no.

Related post: How to Pigment Your Spindles

Step 2: Attach Window Box to the Brackets

Now, put your window box on top of the brackets. You'll drill airplane pilot holes the same way you just did, and then add your wood 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 bit for this role if you take ane.

Bracket used to attach window box to vinyl siding

Oh, the irony. Now that it's 2022, a sold FOUR years of DIY do after this original mail service, and I am just realizing that I think the screws I used for this projection were too small.

So don't apply this image above every bit an case of which screws to get. Make sure your screw heads don't go THROUGH the holes in your steel bracket. Yous'll probably want to look for #10 or #12 screws, depending on what size brackets you become.

Step 3: Fill Your Window Box + Admire Your Work

Yes, that is seriously how easy information technology is to install a window box to vinyl siding! At present it'southward simply the fun part–adding flowers!

Don't forget to check out my listing of the best ways to decorate your window box for the Fall: The Best Fall Window Box Ideas

Every bit I mentioned, these window boxes were the first thing I ever truly congenital, and they were the final step of my 2018-mini-curb-entreatment-boost. I too painted my shutters, and used a trellis creatively to beautify another part of the ugly exterior.

This year (2022), I'm almost to dive into a few more than exterior projects that are relatively easy and volition transform my entire business firm. Come follow along on TikTok or Instagram!

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