Hide post brackets when building your patio to help the post base blend in.
Post brackets are fasteners that hold a post in position on your patio surface to support the roof. Made of metal, a bracket often clashes with the design of the post, standing out against the post material and marring its looks. Hiding the post bracket is usually necessary to prevent this from occurring. With a post skirt, you can successfully hide the post bracket while adding a finishing flair to the post base. Made of the same material as the post and with the same general look, the skirt blends in with the post once placed over the bracket, successfully concealing the bracket in the process.
Instructions
1. Measure the circumference of circular brackets or the length and width of square brackets at the base of the post with a measuring tape, and write down its size. Measure the height that the bracket rises up the post as well.
2. Purchase a post skirt, a piece of molding that fits at the bottom of the post over the bracket, using the measured size to choose the skirt's interior measurements. Choose a vinyl skirt for vinyl posts and a wooden one for wood posts. Ensure the skirt is large enough to rise above the bracket by at least an inch.
3. Slide the post skirt over the post until it rests flush on the patio surrounding, and conceals the bracket.
4. Lay a bead of silicone caulk along the joint between the top of the skirt and the post to hold the skirt in place. Place a second bead of the caulk along the base of the skirt, where it rests against the patio surface.
5. Secure wooden skirts to the posts further by nailing a finish nail through the top of the skirt into the post about 1/2 inch from the top edge of the center of the skirt. Cover the nail with the wood putty using a putty knife, and then allow the putty to dry for two hours. Sand the putty smooth with fine-grit sandpaper, and wipe clean with a piece of cloth. Paint the putty the same color as the skirt, using an exterior paint and paintbrush.
6. Allow the paint and caulk a full 24 hours of drying time before touching the skirt.
Tags: hide, patio, post, bracket, post skirt, caulk along, over bracket, patio surface, post base, post bracket, post with, your patio
