Rotproof Brackets

Rotproof Brackets

The wooden brackets on this front porch had seen better days.

Rotproof Brackets

After carefully removing the brackets, we used one of them as a template, first tracing its profile onto a scrap of plywood, then cutting it out with a jigsaw and sanding it smooth.

Rotproof Brackets

Next we cut two 2-by-4-foot pieces out of 3/4-inch PVC sheet stock.

Rotproof Brackets

The original brackets were about 1 1/2 inches thick, but I wanted the replacements to be a little thicker, so I added a piece of 3/8-inch PVC in between, then glued the three layers together with Trim Tight PVC glue.

Rotproof Brackets

To clamp the pieces together as the cement cured, I also drove exterior screws in from one side.

Rotproof Brackets

I attached the template to the PVC blank.

Rotproof Brackets

I quickly routed the profile in two passes.

Rotproof Brackets

A small scrap of plywood hot-glued to the base helped the router stay square to the template.

Rotproof Brackets

We finished up the edges with light sanding. We filled the screw holes with Bond&Fill, a filler designed to work with all the available brands of PVC trim.

Rotproof Brackets

Next we cut two pieces of 5/4 PVC stock to match the original bracket's 90-degree backer.

Rotproof Brackets

We predrilled holes for attaching to the house, then glued and screwed the brackets to the corner pieces.

Rotproof Brackets

After protecting the sheathing with Vycor flashing tape, we installed the new brackets.

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