hardiplank siding - adding exterior outlets

[winters]

I would like to add exterior lighting & outlets to my garage but am unsure how to cut the hardiplank siding. Last thing I was to do is break a plank of newly painted siding on my garage.

Do I need the full cutout for an electrical box to mount the lights to or can I just drill a hole, make connections & mount the light to the hardiplank.


Has anyone done this before?

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

I would like to add exterior lighting & outlets to my garage but am unsure how to cut the hardiplank siding. Last thing I was to do is break a plank of newly painted siding on my garage.

Do I need the full cutout for an electrical box to mount the lights to or can I just drill a hole, make connections & mount the light to the hardiplank.


Has anyone done this before?

Use the special fiber board cutters like this to cut that stuff to keep dust down

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N5URAU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

but if you cut a circle - you may have no choice but use a jig saw, etc. However, you still need an electrical box mounted to a foundation (e.g., stud, etc)

 

[Indycars]

I would like to add exterior lighting & outlets to my garage but am unsure how to cut the hardiplank siding. Last thing I was to do is break a plank of newly painted siding on my garage.

Do I need the full cutout for an electrical box to mount the lights to or can I just drill a hole, make connections & mount the light to the hardiplank.


Has anyone done this before?

I used a tool that clamps to a drill when I put up the fiber cement siding on my house, it worked very well. I bought it off ebay for much less than the dedicated shear. It looks something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009MFX7O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But in your case I would drill holes in the corners and use a jig saw. Just keep in mind that you are not suppose to breath the silica dust, its NOT good for you. If you are only doing a couple of holes, then I don't see a big problem.

The bigger problem I see is how do you get the face plate to seal against the lap siding, its not a flat surface. I suppose caulking will work. Good luck!

 

[thdewey]

After ruining a hole saw, I just used a drill and a jig saw. I cut the hole and attached the old work 4" round box. I mounted the exterior outlet boxes over smaller holes. I pulled the wire and installed lights/outlets. Make sure that you seal the holes with caulk.

I have some pics on the thread below.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31823

 

[mrb]

arlington makes a bunch of various siding adaptors http://www.arlcatalog.com/Siding/Siding Box Kits.htm

 

[Jeepskate]

Ditto on Arlington...I've used a few of their products on my house to correct stuff done by the previous owners. Check Ebay once you know which part numbers you need...you can usually find someone with better prices than retail.

 

[tcianci]

Ditto on the siding adapters again. They will take care of the lap siding issue. You can cut the holes in the hardi-plank with a carbide grit jigsaw or sawsall blade or a roto-zip wall tile burr, either one will do a good job. If you have a lot of time on your hands, you can actually score through it with a razor knife.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I just use a masonary disc in my 4" angle grinder to cut holes in Hardiplank.