Window planter boxes create a charming display of your home’s exterior. It is important to use the right method of installation on different exteriors to provide a secure fit for years to come.
Read on for the best procedure to use according to material type and climate.
Hardie Board
Hardie board or hardie plank is a very durable type of material made of wood cellulose and cement. Choosing to side your home with hardie board can give you up to 50 years of wear.
A window box made of matching hardie board will guarantee you the same longevity.
Materials and Supplies Needed
- Safety gear – goggles, face mask and gloves
- 2-3 metal brackets, depending on the length of the box
- 1 drill
- carbon bits
- level
- 2 1/2″ screws and 3″ screws
Instructions
Measure and level the areas of placing the brackets. Make sure that they will be going into a stud. There is usually a stud located beneath the window sill, but always check to make sure.
Drill 3 horizontal holes to hold each bracket. Place a 3″ screw in the middle hole and 2-2 1/2″ screws in the other outer holes. Place the box and secure it.
Aluminum Siding & Vinyl Siding
Aluminum and vinyl siding are closely related for providing a good cover for your home where the temperature fluctuates a lot.
While aluminum dents more easily than vinyl, both are reliable materials. Installing a window box over either differs only slightly, but are completely different than that of the hardie board.
Materials and Supplies
- Safety gear – goggles, face mask and gloves
- 2-3 metal brackets, depending on the length of the box
- 1 drill
- 3″ galvanized decking screws
- level
- measuring tape
- counter sink drill bits
Instructions
Measure down 6-7 inches below the window sill. Bring the line past the window frame horizontally by a couple of inches. This will give you a balanced look when the box is set.
Place the brackets flush with the window sill to allow the box to extend past the width of the window.
After marking the proper location, bore a pilot hole into the bracket to steady. Try to place the hole at the bottom of the siding to create as little damage as possible to the siding. Secure as many vertical holes and brackets as deemed necessary for a sturdy hold. Place the box and bolt down.
Brick
Brick exteriors are a classic in American homes and adding that special touch of a window flower box creates a rich monumental theme. Unlike other exterior finishes, brick can support brackets for hanging box frames. Follow these directions for securing your window box on any brick exterior.
Materials and Supplies
- Safety gear – goggles, face mask and gloves
- Hammer drill
- Masonry bits
- Metal L-shaped support brackets
- Level
- Masking tape
- Can compressed air and plastic straw
- Socket wrench
- Washers and lag bolts and lag shields
Instructions
It is possible to drill through brick and masonry, but much care is needed to not damage the material. Prepare the surface of the brick or masonry for drilling.
Do not have any hole placement in between bricks. After all measurements have been taken and you are ready to begin drilling, set the drill bit to the size of the lag shield.
Lay a piece of masking tape over the drill bit that will completely cover the depth of the bolt. Drill into the brick holding as steady as possible.
Blow out the dust before inserting the lag shields. Insert the lag bolts through a washer and tighten with a socket wrench.
Take it slow the bolt makes contact with the brick. Once the brackets are in place, drill holes in the bottom of the box and secure the box.
Stucco
Genuine stucco is a type of masonry. However, many homes with a stucco appearance are actually foam-based board that will not hold up to a window box. Depending on the type of material, you may need to locate studs as outlined in the hardie board or siding instructions.
If the stucco is in fact, real masonry, follow the instructions listed for brick.
Creating a sturdy base for your window box will provide stability for your gorgeous flower box.
Selecting a window box that is also adequately sturdy for your flowers and dirt is another key factor in making your installation more reliable and safer. Solid PVC is an excellent material for matching stability for heavy contents.
Matt Buquoi works at FlowerWindowBoxes.com, a company that offers premium-quality, no-rot flower window boxes, exterior shutters, cedar gables and outdoor planters at affordable prices.
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