Best flower boxes/braces for vinyl siding

Question

We have vinyl siding, and this summer I put up window boxes. I used 'L' shaped brackets. Whenever there was rain, and it soaked the planter boxes, the weight would pull the siding away from the house. I don't want to make that mistake (or many more holes) again, so I want something sturdy, permanent AND good looking. Any thoughts on how to hang my window boxes?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I do not know what the best bracket is to use,however I did find this for you. http://www.ehow.com/how_5004889_hang-window-boxes-vinyl-siding.html maybe this will help solve your issue.

B. Enne · Answer

I was thinking of boxes on stands, but I found these links: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/hang-window-box-vinyl-siding-34164.html http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,629176,00.html http://www.ehow.com/how_5004889_hang-window-boxes-vinyl-siding.html

Barbara C · Answer

Make sure you have drainage holes in the boxes so water does not accumulate.

Hope Williams · Answer

Hi Donna.  As Barbara C. Mentioned, drainage holes are vital.  Brackets should be screwed into your wall studs.  NOT YOUR VINYL.  Once your brackets are secure, put a little outdoor caulk around your old holes and new bracket holes to prevent leaking into your home.  Cedar is the wood of choice for its outdoor ability to last.

Johnchip · Answer

Use styrofoam 'peanuts' to make a drainage layer at bottom of planters. This will lighten the weight of the boxes. Also use some styrofoam beads in the soil to also help drainage and lighten weight. You should never have attached anything unless it is secured o the strongest part of the house frame. You might consider attaching a long piece of treated wood to the exterior under the windows attached to the under-frame of the outside then hang the planters from this. Also if you use braces, the longer and less of an angle they are, the better support you will get.

Susen Gail · Answer

Lovely home! And I am absorbing all the answers to your excellent question.

Melinda · Answer

I like the hay rack style filled with coir matting. Kinsman gardens sells them with legs so you get the window box effect without having to hang them on your wall.  They are called cradles. I used them when I lived in an asbestos siding house and did not want to hang boxes.  A boxwood hedge hid the legs.  One of them had to be made taller so I raised it on bricks.  I still use them in front of my new brick house on the front porch. They are decorative enough that the legs do not need to be hidden.

DORLIS · Answer

i WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER OF MY SIDING THAT i COULD DRILL THROUGH IT IF I MADE THE HOLE SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE SCREW I WOULD BE USING AND FILLED AROUND THE SCREW WITH VINYL CAULKING. THIS WAY, I WOULD NOT VOID THE WARRANTY.

LD · Answer

Here's a link to a blog addressing your issue with the flower boxes. http://blog.hooksandlattice.com/2014/05/20/how-to-hang-window-boxes-on-vinyl-siding/

Jane · Answer

My hubby built a huge planter box for me years ago. He built a front and two end pieces. He made wooden brackets that are attached to the 'box' and press the weight against the wall. You could alternately use some type of leg under the ends of the box. Instead of filling the box with soil, it is lined it with chicken wire...supported by a pipe running end to end. I simply set potted plants in it. The water runs through the wire...not on my house ... it is not too heavy... it is beautiful and can be quickly and easily changed with the seasons.

Sandra · Answer

There is a bracket that fits onto the siding that has a hook on it so things can be hung on the house. They make them for brick and vinyl siding. I think you can find them on the Internet.  I believe I got them from 'Whatever Works'. I have the brink ones and use them to hang a big metal sun face.  Also a heavy huge Lighted Santa face.  So, this could help. Meanwhile, I think either the chicken wire idea and leg ideas would work.

Renata · Answer

Sandra is correct. They make vinyl siding hooks just for this purpose. I,too, need to order these but for me they r a little spendy. SS doesn't pay for the extra goodies. Lol

Sue c. · Answer

To hang anything you MUST anchor it to the studs in the wall BEHIND the siding. Vinyl siding is thin, bendable plastic sort of like the plastic in those blue/pink kiddie pools. It can be punctured and deformed easily. Locate the studs, use appropriate screws and brackets can be as decorative as you choose. Just remember all the weight of the planter must be carried on the studs.

Darrel Rose · Answer

strengthen them with wood under the boxes as if they are sitting on a shelf use bigger anchors and make sure you put them into the studs, you can also make the boxes lighter by putting a layer of either popcorn packing peanuts or just add plastic shopping bags into the bottom of the boxes and fill the remainder with potting soil, the plastic shopping bags should be rolled up into a ball

Tegma · Answer

Did you find your studs and attach the boxes to the studs with bolts, not screws?That is a necessity. If you don't attach to the studs, then you would surely have that problem.

Donna · Answer

Thank you, Tegma! I previously had only used screws...in the studs, but still screws. I took down the boxes, but I need that color under my windows. I will, most definitely, take your advice and use bolts this year. I appreciate your suggestion and get going with new flower boxes and bolts this year. Thank you!!

Amy P, Hometalk Editor · Answer

This guide has instructions for hanging window boxes on various exteriors, including vinyl: https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/how-to-hang-window-boxes-44458095

Mogie · Answer

Installing Window Boxes on Vinyl Siding

https://www.windowbox.com/blog/installing-window-boxes-on-vinyl-siding/

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