When it comes to siding, vinyl is one of the most popular options. They’re extremely durable and have insulating properties.
Additionally, vinyl siding requires low maintenance. Most vinyl siding repairs are simple and can be done by anyone.
At some point, you’ll need to drill through the vinyl siding to install or hang something on it. So, this begs the question: how do you drill through vinyl siding?
In today’s article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to drill through vinyl siding. Let’s dive in!
How to Drill Through Vinyl Siding
Drilling through vinyl siding is an easy and fast process. Just proceed with the following steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Temperature to Drill
Drilling a hole into a vinyl siding is best done in warm weather, at least 60 °F. So, it’s crucial to drill vinyl siding when its surface temperature is around 60 °F or warmer.
However, vinyl siding tends to be more brittle in cold weather, so drilling in the cold can result in a shattered or cracked vinyl. Still, if you have to drill in cold weather, you can try a simple hack.
Start by marking the exact spot where you need to drill. Then, focus a hairdryer around the spot you’ve marked to warm it.
Once the marked spot is warm enough, you can start drilling safely. It’s best if you start drilling immediately after heating the area, as the cold weather will lower its temperature once again.
Step 2: Get the Right Equipment and Tools
It’s crucial to know what kind of material is underneath the vinyl to determine the type of drill bit you’ll be using.
For example, you’ll need to use a masonry bit if there are bricks underneath the vinyl. However, if you have wood underneath the siding, you’ll need to use a wood drill bit.
It’s worth mentioning that spade drill bits can permanently damage your vinyl siding. So, you should always use a suitable drill bit.
Step 3: Determine Where You Want to Drill
It’s essential to take all the measurements you need to determine exactly where you’ll be drilling the hole. That’s because once you start drilling in one spot, you can’t go back.
Step 4: Mark the Point Where You Want to Drill
You’ll need to mark the exact point where you need to drill after taking the necessary measurements. The best way to do this is by using a marker or a sharpie to place a mark visible to the naked eye.
Step 5: Start Drilling
First, you need to wear protective gear before you start drilling. Then, secure the drill bit in place and place it on top of the mark you’ve previously made.
After that, you can start the drill at a low speed and push it down firmly. Make sure to continue pushing until the drill bit has penetrated the material.
Most importantly, make sure that you don’t penetrate all the way through the material.
Can You Drill Large Holes Into Vinyl Siding?
The process is similar to the one we previously mentioned. However, when you drill large holes, it’s important to use a drill bit that’s at least a quarter of an inch larger than your desired diameter.
You should also make sure you apply light and steady pressure to the drill. This way, you don’t damage the siding.
This will help you with installing the large item later. If the item isn’t secure inside the hole, you can use caulk to seal the rest of the gap.
Can You Hang an Item on Vinyl Siding Without Drilling?
There are other ways to hang or mount certain items on your vinyl siding without the need to drill a hole through it. For example, no-drill hooks can be perfect to hang various items on them.
Other adhesive hooks can be mounted on your vinyl siding. However, they’re less durable, and you can’t hang heavy items on them.
Vinyl Siding Hooks
For vinyl sidings, vinyl siding clip hooks are one of the best options if you want to avoid the risk of damaging the surface. They’re a good alternative to drilling through your vinyl siding.
Many vinyl siding hangers can even carry a weight of up to 12 pounds. They’re also relatively cheap and extremely easy to install.
In other words, any item that weighs less than 12 pounds can be securely mounted on a vinyl hook. Such items include security cameras, wooden plaques, ornaments, mailboxes, and holiday decorations.
On the other hand, installing items heavier than 12 pounds, such as an air conditioner, requires more support to be mounted. So, in this case, drilling through vinyl siding is a better option than vinyl siding clip hooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a question in mind? Here are some frequently asked questions regarding how to drill through vinyl siding:
What’s the safest way to hang an item on vinyl siding?
If you want to avoid the risk of damaging your vinyl siding, you can use vinyl siding hook hangers. These hooks are specifically made for vinyl, so they're the safest and easiest way to hang things from vinyl siding.
Can you mount a mailbox to vinyl siding?
Yes, you can hang a mailbox to vinyl siding. However, it’s preferable to mount it on hangers or S hooks. This method is safer than drilling through your vinyl siding.
Can you replace a damaged vinyl siding?
It can be extremely frustrating if the vinyl siding gets damaged during drilling. However, repairing and replacing a damaged vinyl siding is easy and can be done by anyone.
What’s more, the grid-like design of vinyl siding makes it easy to replace a certain piece without affecting the other undamaged pieces.
You can replace the damaged piece by releasing it from the nailing strip. Then, install the new piece into the nailing strip by pushing it in. It’s best if you leave enough gaps for the expansion of each piece.
In Conclusion
Drilling through your vinyl siding is quite simple. You just need to drill in warm weather, as cold weather makes your vinyl siding prone to getting damaged.
Take your measurements and mark the spot that you want to drill. Then, use a suitable drill bit to drill into that mark. It’s important that you don’t penetrate all the way through the material underneath the vinyl siding.
That said, if you’re worried about damaging or breaking the vinyl siding, you can always use vinyl side hangers. These hooks are easy to attach and can carry heavy weight.