How to Drill Into Siding

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Things You'll Need

  • Pencil

  • Standard drill bit

  • Drill

You don't need specialty tools to drill into siding.

Vinyl siding is a common choice for exterior finishes because of its durability and low maintenance requirements. If you want to attach items to the exterior of a home covered with vinyl siding, you must drill through the siding first and then into the structure of your home to properly secure them. While special tools aren't necessary to drill into your siding, you must exercise caution when doing so to prevent damage.

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Step 1

Determine the location you wish to place your screws. Mark the drill hole locations with a pencil.

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Step 2

Feel the area behind the siding where you wish to drill, and make sure you are about to drill into a solid surface before moving onto the next step.

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Step 3

Insert a standard drill bit into your drill. Ensure the bit is the proper dimensions for the screw you will insert into the siding and is capable of drilling into the surface behind your siding.

Step 4

Press the area of vinyl siding where you are preparing to drill against the sold surface behind it. Place the drill bit on the mark made in Step 1, and slowly work the bit through the siding by pulsing the drill.

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Step 5

Release the siding when the drill bit is through it, and apply pressure to the drill to continue drilling through the surface behind the siding.

Step 6

Reverse the direction of the drill motor after making the hole, and slowly work it through the vinyl siding while pulsing the drill as you pull it outward.

Step 7

Brush away any siding debris and inspect the area for damage.

Tip

To prevent cracking, you should only drill into siding if its surface temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. For cold weather drilling, warm the surface of the siding with a hair dryer.

Warning

Do not use a spade drill bit when attempting to drill through siding. Doing so will cause irreparable damage to your siding.

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