View Full Version : Installing new porch light electrical box
totsuka
Sep 3, 2010, 02:40 PM
I want to install or have installed two porch lights on either side of my front door. This is no existing porch light there so they would have to install two new electrical boxes. My home has hardy plank over cbs. It is a pain going into the attic from the back of the home to the front but I did it when I installed a porch swing. I was wondering if an electrician would just cut the holes into the hardy plank/cbs then snake a wire up and over into the house to the existing porch fan switches? Or will we have to go into the attic, and do this by hand? I'm trying to get an idea how this will work before calling an electrician. Tks
ma0641
Sep 3, 2010, 07:16 PM
Hard to say-depends on the construction features on the wall or around the header and jamb. Sometimes you can remove the interior door trim and snake the wires around the door, drill on an angle into the wall cavity and use old work boxes. You only need 14 AWG and it's pretty easy to snake around. You will also need to install another box inside for the switch. Did you remove a light to install the fan? Code requires a light at the door.
totsuka
Sep 6, 2010, 05:19 PM
I don't there there was a overhead porch light when the previous owner bought this house. I think there was already a fan box and they installed fans vices lights. I did not use the fans and don't really like them. I wish I noticed that there was not a porch light by the door. Seems really dumb for a builder not to at least put the box so
A fixture could be added later. I checked my neighbors and most have the same thing. Cheap.