weatherby460
Well-known member
How do I mount a residential outdoor wall light to a pole shed? Typically you use a octagon box for the mount and wire connections, but cant in this case. Thanks for any ideas.
How do i mount a light to a metal building?
- Thread starter weatherby460
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matt_i
Well-known member
If you look at the big box stores, there are cast aluminum boxes designed for exterior use, typically also with various cover plates that contain a foam gasket.
Those are your starting point, I'd go with a wood or metal (strut) structure to support the box (ideally inside the skin), and a close-****** with a conduit locknut to enter the box. It would be better to also add a bead of sealant in a dome configuration to protect the wall penetration, very best would be some sort of bent metal flashing in a Z- or drip-cap configuration to protect the box and cover plate as well as the wall penetration, but securing it could open another set of issues if it isn't right next to the top of the wall.
Those are your starting point, I'd go with a wood or metal (strut) structure to support the box (ideally inside the skin), and a close-****** with a conduit locknut to enter the box. It would be better to also add a bead of sealant in a dome configuration to protect the wall penetration, very best would be some sort of bent metal flashing in a Z- or drip-cap configuration to protect the box and cover plate as well as the wall penetration, but securing it could open another set of issues if it isn't right next to the top of the wall.
cory58
Well-known member
There are mounting blocks specifically made for a clean exterior installation on lap siding. Go to Amazon and search for "Light Fixture Mounting Block".
lakeroadster
Well-known member
The electricians that installed the fruit jar light on my barn used a 4 in. 6 cu. in. Metal Round Pancake Box screwed to the outside of the barn. These boxes are only about 3/4" deep.
On the inside they used a 2 x 4 as a backer.
Punch the center knock-out out of the box, drill a hole thru the center of the 2 x 4, drill a hole through the building siding, screw the box / 2 x 4 to the siding, run the Romex thru...
Eazy Peazy
On the inside they used a 2 x 4 as a backer.
Punch the center knock-out out of the box, drill a hole thru the center of the 2 x 4, drill a hole through the building siding, screw the box / 2 x 4 to the siding, run the Romex thru...
Eazy Peazy
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rburke65
Well-known member
"Pole shed".....is this like a pole barn? Happens everyday. You could use an old work box.
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Back when I started my barn thread, somebody referred to it as a shed. It's a regional thing.
I'm originally from Ohio.., like you. A shed is typically a run down dilapidated POS... in Ohio anyways
Using the thin box, like I linked to above, instead of a regular work box means drilling a small hole for just the wire.. vs. cutting a 4 inch hole through the steel siding.
wes73
Well-known member
Here is a link to how I mounted goose neck lights to my metal pole building. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250750
Why can't you? I've mounted a number of outdoor wall lights to my pole barn. You cut a round hole in the metal just above where one of the purlins is, mount the octagon box to the purlin, connect your wires, and mount the light to the box as normal. Then you seal it with silicon and you're set.
The only thing I did was to make sure I put the light centered between the large ribs on the metal panel. The smaller center ribs aren't big enough to cause a problem sealing because the silicon can easily fill the small gaps.
I guess you might have to add a piece of 2x4 or something similar if you need to put the light in a very specific spot, but that's easy enough.