Install A Flag Pole Bracket On Vinyl Siding
How To Attach A Flag Pole To Vinyl Siding
Attaching a flag pole bracket to vinyl siding is an easy home improvement project that will allow you to show your patriotism on your home. However, if you don’t do it correctly it’s likely you’ll damage your siding. This project can be done in just a few minutes for under $20.
Vinyl Siding Mounting Block
The easiest way to install a flag pole bracket (or hanging flower pot bracket or similar) is to screw the bracket to a vinyl siding surface mount block. The surface mount block has a profile routed out of the back so that it will fit the siding profile (see the photo).
The trick to successfully installing the bracket and surface mount block is to pre-drill holes in the siding. You want to drill a hole slightly larger than the screws you’re going to use so that the siding can move as it expands and contracts due to temperature. If you skip this step the siding will buckle when it heats up under the summer sun.
This technique also works very well for attaching shutters to vinyl siding. Vinyl siding moves a LOT when it heats and cools throughout the year. If you put a screw right through the vinyl siding it will prevent the
siding from moving and therefore cause it to buckle.
Installation Instructions
- Pre-Drill Flag Pole Bracket To Mounting Braket – This allows you the ability to pre-mark the siding.
- Then I drilled a 1/4″ diameter hole in the siding where each of the three screws would go.
- Then it’s as simple as installing three long screws to attach the bracket and surface mount block at the same time.
Make sure you use screws that won’t be so long that they hit some wires. So there you have it, a nice looking flag pole bracket in
stalled on vinyl siding.
This tip on how to put up a flag on a vinyl siding is very appealing. However, there is no link to find a surface mount block – all the links lead to vinyl installation businesses. Where can I buy one of these block’s and do it my self??
@ Chuck – Here is a link to the siding block:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001B174LU/homeconstimpr-20
The vinyl siding block is great for siding, but what if you want to attach the mount to a vinyl porch post, without drilling into the post? We all know that the mounts age/break, so they need to be replaced…but, the new bracket may not have the same hole pattern as the old one. I wouldn’t want to drill even more holes into the vinyl.
Michael – Good point. Haven’t dealt with that situation yet. Maybe a reader will have a suggestion. If it were mine I might be tempted to create a custom PVC mounting block that could be secured to the face of the vinyl post. Then a mounting bracket could be attached to that. This way if you need a new bracket later on you could replace the PVC mounting diagram.
Do these mounting blocks come in wood or just vinyl?? Our house was built in 2002 and all of the extrior lights are set on wood blocks. If they still exist, where can I get them??
Those are just vinyl. A wood one can be created pretty easily if you’ve got some basic woodworking tools.
Thank you very much. It worked great. Received it in two days from amazon. Around $ 11.00 delivered.
Todd, I have a hard time believing a flag/flag pole can be adequately supported by only a vinyl siding. Are the screws through the vinyl actually hitting and securing into something underneath the vinyl?
Evan – Of course….long screws through the flag pole bracket. The block assures the shape of the vinyl is maintained so it’s not crushed.
Todd,
We tried hanging a flag to vinyl siding without the block and once we put the flag pole in, it seemed to heavy and the vinyl began to buckle. Will the block prevent this or do we have another problem? We used 2 inch screws but it doesn’t seem as though they are hitting anything other than the siding insulation.
You’ll likely need longer screws, and in some situations you’ll need a toggle bolt if the screws are only hitting the sheathing.
Do I have to find the stud behind the siding to support the flag or will the block with long screws be enough?
Josh – You definitely should hit a stud, otherwise the wind will likely tear it off.
How long of a screw did you use?
3″ long deck screws
How can I do this without screwing holes into the siding? I live in an home owners association where I may need to take it out.
No way to install a flag pole without screws…just won’t be strong enough
I’m trying to hang an awning (of sorts) between two walls with vinyl siding that face each other, about four feet apart. Was thinking I could use two tension rods, additionally securing the fabric by vinyl siding hooks, but not sure if the siding would buckle, or if the tension/hooks combination would even hold. Looking for solutions without drilling holes or building a pvc frame. Anyone?
I have a log home above Lake George,NY. Where can I buy 1 inch by 12 inch
pvc facia boards, The pine does not last. Does pic come in colors.
Thank you
All lumber yards typically carry 1×12 pvc trim boards, there are many brands, just ask at the lumber yard.
I have been looking for a way to mount a home security camera on vinyl siding….some interesting ideas here. My concern is with the siding buckling in the heat. Despite drilling larger screw holes in the siding to allow for expansion I wonder if that is actually effective since it is the mounting block that will press against the siding and potentially keep it from freely expanding. Any recommendations or comments?
The other approach is cutting out a piece of siding, installing a block to get out past the siding, flashing it is a challenge though.
My house has insulated vinyl siding. I ran 3″ screws to mount the block to the side of the house and they didnt catch anything. I figured just to see I’d run a 6″ screw to see if that caught anything and nothing. What can I do???
Maybe use a toggle bolt….probably just a thin layer of sheathing behind it, no studs.
What is the color of siding shown in the picture
I also bought one of these for a security camera, but realizes it has no support on the back. It is designed to mount carriage lights and attach to an electrical box. Basically the camera (or flagpole mount) is held by the screws and the plastic cover. Shouldn’t there be a block or something to span the gap between the back of the cover and the wall behind the siding? Certainly that plastic cover can’t take the torque od that metal bracket bending it. I don’t see how you can not have to cut away a square of siding, screwing a block in that space, then screwing the load to Am I block with the cover held in between. Am I overthinking it.
They are fairly stiff, I put a small block behind it, but for a camera I doubt it’s necessary.
So I did this with the block and 3-1/2″ exterior screws and the wind stripped it out. I moved up to some 4″ screws and they pulled out too. Any suggestions?
The long screws are only hitting the sheathing…you need to hit a stud.
Thanks. I’ll see if i can find the stud. Trying not to make too many holes the the vinyl siding.
Hi, looking to do exactly what you’re teaching here, with the exact same color and shaped mount . Just can’t seem to find that shape in that blue online, know where I can find one?
Thanks
Jeff B, Iowa
It’s a grey, but that’s because it was painted to match. White ones can easily be painted to match any siding.
I installed a 2×4 piece of wood between the vertical studs in my garage wall near the overhead door side of garage. I then used 3 bolts 5” long and 3/8” diameter through the bracket, through the block, through the siding, through the sheathing and through the screwed in piece of 2×4. I then used a 3/8 inch washer and nut to tighten the entire unit to the wall being careful not to over tighten. My flag is on a slightly heavier piece (pole) of strong aluminum with a brass ball and anti furl piece so I wanted the added strength of the 2×4.
Should the flag bracket put pressure on the Mount block that it has some give? Or should it be sturdy like a wood block.
Used 2.5 inch screws on block and seems to be putting a lot of pressure on the mount block.
Hitting a stud to hang a flag pole to vinyl siding should be mentioned at the top of any installation. The block and vinyl siding only will not support a flag and pole. Not easy.
Just the directions I’ve been looking for!
I am mounting tth flag pole on the front go the house to the left of the front entry door. In order to find a stud would I measure 12″ or 16″ from the door casing?
Thank you
How do I know what color siding I have to be able to paint the vinyl block to match my siding?
most siding has a stamp on it, either on the hem or back side.