Exterior lighting is a great way to make your home more inviting and enhance security. At the same time, new exterior lights can also increase curb appeal. But you may wonder how you can add outside lighting without damaging your vinyl siding – and do you really need professional help? If you’re ready to update your North Jersey home with outdoor lighting, New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. explains everything you need to know about installation, siding accessories for lights, and more.
The Challenges of Installing Lighting on Siding
Adding lights to the exterior of your home takes extra care. Most exterior lights are quite heavy. Vinyl siding is strong, but it is not meant to hold the weight of these fixtures. If you affix lights directly to your siding, they can pull and tug on the siding and its attachments. While the siding might hold lights in place for a time, eventually this added weight can cause it to break, warp, or even come loose. When this occurs, you’ll see costly damage to your siding and your new lights.
To avoid these problems, you’ll need to cut through vinyl siding and attach lighting to the more stable frame underneath. This also has its dangers, however. Unlike interior fixtures, the lights you place on the outside of your house are vulnerable to moisture and pests – even those under a porch roof or awning. Putting holes in your siding without professional guidance can also cause cracks and splits. Not only is damaged siding unattractive, but it’s also vulnerable. Moisture can seep in to cause mold and rot, while insects can nest between the gaps.
A Simple Solution for Exterior Lighting
If you can’t attach lights to your vinyl siding and you shouldn’t cut through it, what can you do? This is where mounting blocks come in. These siding accessories for lights replace or overlap the section of vinyl siding where your new lights will go. The overlap covers any gaps in the siding, creating a protective seal against moisture and pests. Mounting blocks also give your lights a stable base, so they don’t pull on your siding or shift in bad weather.
And while mounting blocks are functional, they can be decorative as well. Blocks come in a range of sizes, styles, and shapes, from ultra-modern to classic and ornate, so you can always find one that coordinates with your light and exterior design. They’re also paintable to match your siding or trim for a seamless, built-in appearance.
Leave Siding Accessories for Lights to the Pros
Vinyl mounting blocks make installing exterior lights safer and easier – when you work with a professional siding expert. You might be tempted to go the DIY path, but there are still many ways for things to go wrong. For instance, mounting blocks come in a range of profiles to fit different styles of siding. The wrong profile will leave large gaps through which moisture and insects can enter. Alternatively, it may not fit at all. In addition, some mounting blocks have pre-cut gaps to allow wiring to pass through, while others include a built-in wiring box. A home improvement professional has the knowledge and experience to help you find exactly the right mounting block for your needs.
The installation process is also a job for a contractor. While mounting blocks cover and seal openings in the siding, it still pays to have those gaps professionally cut. Even the smallest cracks and splits in vinyl siding can spread and worsen over time.
Learn More About Siding Accessories for Lights
If you’re considering exterior lights for your home, hire a professional for your peace of mind and a job done right the first time. To learn more about updating your vinyl siding-clad home with lights, contact New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. today. Our team can help determine the best accessories for your Northern NJ home to make the most of your new lights. For more information, please call 973-895-1113.
