Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Jul 13, 2016 05:53am | #1

   Ian,
   You'll need to contact you local electric utility and inform them that you need the electrical meter box to be temporarily removed (disconnected). Then you will need to install blocking (for example, pressure-treated blocking) to provide a secure base for the electrical box. The blocking should be proud of the siding. This blocking then needs to be flashed in a way that is integrated with your water-resistive barrier (WRB), using soldered copper flashing or a high-quality peel-and-stick product.

   Once the blocking has been flashed, the electrical box can be reinstalled.

2. 
   user-4243359 | Jul 13, 2016 08:35am | #2

   Depends on the type of meter box and if the supply is underground or overhead (with a vertical conduit attached to the house). Some pedestal-type boxes for underground feeds won't be attached to the building at all but will simply have a conduit penetration. Consult with your electrician. They can give you the concept minus the flashing details (they usually don't worry about this feature). With smaller old fashioned wall mount meters, you can often install and flash a small block (8" X8") of 5/4 poly-trim board through which the conduit that goes through the wall passes. The meter box can then be attached to the wall with long screws through the siding. With luck you can possibly accomplish this without completely removing the meter box. Again, you need to work with your electrician on this.
   Why are you planning on applying a rain screen? Vinyl siding should have a supporting surface under it and doesn't benefit from the added ventilation a rain screen provides. With 2" or less of foam you can nail or preferably screw the siding directly to the wall. GRK makes an excellent 3-1/8" screw for this application. If you were intending on more than 2" of foam, direct attachment is a challenge and a better solution is applying 7/16 OSB over the foam layer to create a nailing surface and support for the vinyl.