How High Does Wood Siding Need To Be Above Earth

Six inches would not be too far.

How high does wood siding need to be above earth.

Eliminating wood to soil contact may require regrading or pulling soil or mulch back from the foundation cutting the bottom off wood latticework or supporting steps or posts on a concrete base. My code check actually states it this way. Mike the building code here in the usa used to say that wood siding must be 6 inches above grade. If the wood framing is not pressure treated then it should be a minimum of 8 above the ground.

Wood siding door and window frames etc. Should be at least six inches above ground level. Clearance between wood siding and earth on the exterior of a building shall not be less than 6 inches 152 mm except where siding sheathing and wall framing are of naturally durable or preservative treated wood. Realize the building code is a set of minimum standards.

Concrete and masonry foundation walls shall extend above the finished grade adjacent to the foundation at all points a minimum of 4 inches 102 mm where masonry veneer is used and a minimum of 6 inches 152 mm elsewhere. The further the better. The screed shall be placed a minimum of 4 inches 102 mm above the earth or 2 inches 51 mm above paved areas and shall be of a type that will allow trapped water to drain to the exterior of the building. Measure the length of the pieces of siding you need at each mark.

Hold a piece of siding on the wall using a level to make sure it s straight. Any clearance is better than none. Masonry veneer ledge 4in above earth wood sill 6in min. Wood siding should be 4 or so from the ground whether that be soil or solid surface.

If the sheathing siding is not pressure treated then it should be a minimum of 6 above the ground. When it is higher from the ground splashing water onto the wood is minimized. Maintaining proper clearances reduces access to wood structures behind the siding by wood destroying insects or damage from water that might. This requirement is not just to prevent damage to the siding it serves a couple of other functions as well.

Touch one bottom corner. Wood siding stucco vinyl brick all siding should ideally have at least 6 to 8 inches clearance above the ground. Siding materials need proper clearances between finish grade and the siding regardless the type of siding.