I am looking to install a new wall-mounted Ames hose reel onto an exterior wall of my house. The house has lap vinyl siding, along with 7/16" ZIP Sheathing over wood studs placed 16" OC. There are 4 mounting locations on the reel, spaced 15 inches apart vertically, and 16 inches apart horizontally. Because of the vertical distance between the mounting locations this will mean the screw holes will have to be placed over the bottom portion of siding that protrudes outward (that creates a gap to the sheathing).
I am thinking I will need some sort of spacer between this portion of the siding and the sheathing to close the gap so that I do not compress the siding, but I will still be able to draw the screw tight. I am thinking of using 1/4" diameter Lag screws, either 2.5 or 3 inches long. What type of spacer would you recommend for this? I thought about just using a small piece of 1/2 inch wood (that would be painted) but ideally I didn't want to use something that could rot.
I am thinking I will need some sort of spacer between this portion of the siding and the sheathing to close the gap so that I do not compress the siding, but I will still be able to draw the screw tight. I am thinking of using 1/4" diameter Lag screws, either 2.5 or 3 inches long. What type of spacer would you recommend for this? I thought about just using a small piece of 1/2 inch wood (that would be painted) but ideally I didn't want to use something that could rot.