This requirement is not just to prevent damage to the siding it serves a couple of other functions as well.
Ground clearance to siding.
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.
Wood structural members supporting moisture permeable floors or roofs that are exposed to the weather such as concrete or masonry slabs unless separated from such floors or roofs by an impervious moisture.
Any clearance is better than none.
If the adjacent ground is concrete such as part of a patio or a sidewalk it still requires the same clearance as bare earth.
Fiber cement siding gap clearance caulking specifications the following information is adapted expanded a bit from certainteed corporations installation instructions for the company s fiber cement siding products as this is the most comprehensive guide we could find for caulking clearance instructions when installing fiber cement siding.
Wood siding stucco vinyl brick all siding should ideally have at least 6 to 8 inches clearance above the ground.
The reason for this clearance requirement is that while moisture will rot wood and damage other siding even if the ground isn t holding water against the siding rain splashes up and soaks the siding.
Metal is considered one of the most durable and low maintenance products on the market today.
The siding to ground clearance for metal is the typical 6 to 8 inches.
Luckily it takes lots of water to saturate hardie products.
Wood siding sheathing and wall framing on the exterior of a building having a clearance of less than 6 inches 152mm from the ground.
Also the closer to the ground the siding the more easily termites can go undetected and the more easily rodents can bore their way into your home.
Wood siding clearances wood trim and siding should always be installed with an air gap when installed at a roof ground or concrete contact area.
Flashing is typically used to make the connection between the two.
Maintaining proper clearances reduces access to wood structures behind the siding by wood destroying insects or damage from water that might.
There are usually four types that you ll be able to choose from.
Aluminum copper steel and zinc.
Siding materials need proper clearances between finish grade and the siding regardless the type of siding.