How High Does Wood Siding Need To Be Above Earth

My code check actually states it this way.

How high does wood siding need to be above earth.

2306 8 wood and earth separation. On thick profiles of siding nails may be hidden meaning they are driven into the upper portion of a board so they are covered by the lower part of the board above it. 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. Keep the foundation well above grade.

Maintaining proper clearances reduces access to wood structures behind the siding by wood destroying insects or damage from water that might. Wood siding stucco vinyl brick all siding should ideally have at least 6 to 8 inches clearance above the ground. Masonry veneer ledge 4in above earth wood sill 6in min. Wood siding sheathing and wall framing on the exterior of a building having a clearance of less than 6 inches 152 mm from the ground.

As its name lap implies an upper siding board laps over the board below it by 1 to 2 inches. Which also implies the higher the siding is above the grade the more likely your siding will stay intact withstanding any moisture problems you may incur without actual flooding situations. Most lap siding is beveled meaning that the bottom edge is thicker than the top. Having your siding too close to the ground is just asking for trouble.

Realize the building code is a set of minimum standards. The closer to the grade the sooner your siding will deteriorate. Otherwise it needs to be protected either by being a naturally durable wood species or preservative treated. In addition wood used in construction of perma nent structures and located nearer than 6 inches 152 mm to earth shall be treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay as de.

Protection of wood against deterioration as set forth in the previous sections for specified appli cations is required. Mike the building code here in the usa used to say that wood siding must be 6 inches above grade. Carter provides sound advice. That means if you place the siding 6 inches above the ground you get a 70 percent on the test.

Any clearance is better than none. Siding materials need proper clearances between finish grade and the siding regardless the type of siding.