I would like to replace 1 side of my deck with a privacy screen & need to attach a 7' 4×4 post to the vinyl siding on the house. It will take place of the current 3' railing post (see the pic) that is not attached to the house. What is the best practice out there for dealing with heavy mounting to vinyl like that? Thank you.
UPDATE: Below is the SketchUp of the privacy screen I want The height is 7', 6.5', & 6' by 14'. I am not exactly sure what material is under the vinyl, I was just hoping to hit the corner studs. The deck floor is 8' high above the ground, so burying the pole in the ground is not really an option. I guess I could attempt a better mounting of my 4×4 to the 6×6 pole that holds the deck, but would not be as sturdy as attaching to the house itself. Also a friend of mine suggested vinyl mounting blocks, which I am not sure will be enough. I personally would prefer to cut a piece of vinyl & maybe attaching a piece of 2×4 there that could provide a mounting surface for the 4×4 post, but not sure if there are good flushing options for that. I know next to nothing about vinyl siding, hate it ;), just happen to buy this house.
Best Answer
If you are going to attach it to the house (and there's good arguments for not doing that already presented) I think the proper way would be to cut the siding away, replace the siding trim with trim that leaves the space the 4x4 would attach to open, and attach it to the house without the siding in the way.