Pole Barn Porch Lights - How to support lights and wire and what boxes?

bloomingtonmike · Jul 11, 2015

I have a pole barn with 2X6 wall girts and steel on the outside. Building has a 12X24 porch. I want to install some outdoor porch lights. What do I install on the inside to have a secure place to mount lights on the outside. I am not familiar with the correct boxes needed etc. I saw some boxes for siding at Menards but it did not look correct for a steel (smooth thin wall basically) building. Any advice on doing this on a steel building?

Jlarson · Jul 11, 2015

Depends on the exact type of panel but whenever possible I like to use a 4 square box and ring mounted to either existing framing if the height is right or I'll add strut or steel if needed.

bloomingtonmike · Jul 11, 2015

To be clear I want lights on the outside walls under the porch. Wanting to know what to do on the inside between the posts.

Wiring will go to a wall switch and then a 20 amp lighting circuit.

MTW · Jul 12, 2015

The solution is to build some structure, be it wood or metal. The code states that boxes must be attached to the structure, as well as the wiring method.

The type of structure you use, will determine how you attach a box and wire to it. Metal siding is not considered structure in the code.

As a matter of practicality, it wont support your fixtures very well without sagging and bending the siding, producing leaks.

Put some framing where you want the light boxes to be, and affix your cabling to it as well.

MTW Ω

bloomingtonmike · Jul 13, 2015

Is there a specific wall light box i should use? I plan to use 2x material to secure the box inside the steel.

barnjunkie · Jul 14, 2015

I used outdoor boxes for my pole barn. I cut short pieces from a 2x10 and cut a hole in it with a jig saw then toe-nailed it into the grits. I then attached my outdoor light fixtures to it with long screws.
Be sure to get the metal boxes. Good Luck!

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/092326/092326130349.jpg

dw1 · Jul 15, 2015

I put 3 outside lights on the wall of my pole barn, I had some scrap 2 x 6's, I cut a piece to go vertically between the two 2x6 horizontal wall girts. I used a 4" holesaw and cut a hole in the flat part of the metal, I used a ceiling fan pan box (available at HD or Lowes, its 1/2" deep, knock out the center K.O of the box (drill a hole thru), snapped in a plastic bushing, screwed the box to my 2x6, I positioned my 2x6 back 1/4" or so, so the box was flush with the outside of the metal, toenailed or screw the 2x6, this will support any light you install. All three of my lights are on the same switch and P.E controlled. I can take a picture if needed, but it would be tomorrow.

bloomingtonmike · Sep 22, 2015

Getting closer to doing this but still confused.

How did you seal/weatherproof your hole for your outdoor lights?

With the linked weatherproof box above, I am assuming that mounts on the outside. Are folks then mounting the light bracket to that? The lights I have are designed to mount to a flush box.

I am confused how to seal up that box hole if the box mounts from the rear?

Chadddada · Sep 23, 2015

Subscribed, I will be doing this soon as well.

bloomingtonmike · Sep 23, 2015

I found these referenced in a youtube video:

Arlington 8161 Vertical Siding Lamp Mounting Kit with Built-In Box for Flat Surfaces, White, 1-Pack.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKHUEO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I ordered a couple off amazon - going to try those. If you have really large lights they have plates that go over them to make a larger panel to mount the light to.

Arlington 8100LP-1 MEGA Siding Plate for Large Fixtures
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002W6ZPVE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like the idea of having a small hole for the romex but still being able to secure it with a nm clamp. Ill seal it up like a external weatherproof box for an outlet.

sselander · Sep 23, 2015

As mentioned Arlington makes great stuff.
You can find their catalog on their web site:
http://www.aifittings.com/

bloomingtonmike · Oct 5, 2015

I used the Arlington 8161's for flat walls and it worked awesome.

I silicone caulked the holes up well and backed/mounted them to 2X6s in the wall.

Pole Barn Porch Lights - How to support lights and wire and what boxes?

bloomingtonmike

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Jlarson

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bloomingtonmike

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MTW

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bloomingtonmike

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barnjunkie

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dw1

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bloomingtonmike

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Chadddada

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bloomingtonmike

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sselander

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bloomingtonmike

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