How High Does Wood Siding Need To Be Above Earth

Mike the building code here in the usa used to say that wood siding must be 6 inches above grade.

How high does wood siding need to be above earth.

Six inches would not be too far. If the sheathing siding is not pressure treated then it should be a minimum of 6 above the ground. Wood siding door and window frames etc. Hold a piece of siding on the wall using a level to make sure it s straight.

When it is higher from the ground splashing water onto the wood is minimized. Masonry veneer ledge 4in above earth wood sill 6in min. You just barely pass. Realize the building code is a set of minimum standards.

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. If the wood framing is not pressure treated then it should be a minimum of 8 above the ground. Any clearance is better than none. Maintaining proper clearances reduces access to wood structures behind the siding by wood destroying insects or damage from water that might.

That means if you place the siding 6 inches above the ground you get a 70 percent on the test. My code check actually states it this way. Siding materials need proper clearances between finish grade and the siding regardless the type of siding. Wood siding should be 4 or so from the ground whether that be soil or solid surface.

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. 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. 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. Should be at least six inches above ground level.

The further the better. If the adjacent ground is concrete such as part of a patio or a sidewalk it still requires the same clearance as bare earth. Wood siding stucco vinyl brick all siding should ideally have at least 6 to 8 inches clearance above the ground.