how high from the ground to start first course of wood siding

Full Answer

How high off the ground should wood siding be?

Wood siding should be 4" or so from the ground whether that be soil or solid surface. Six inches would not be too far. The further the better. When it is higher from the ground splashing water onto the wood is minimized. The wood is not sitting in a moist or wet condition, so it is not wicking moisture.

What is the best guide to install wood siding?

Source: Western Wood Products Association The main industry guideline for wood siding installation is the WWPA’s Natural Wood Siding . A similar guide How to Install Western Red Cedar Siding (by Western Red Cedar Lumber Association), is largely based on the WWPA guidelines.

What is behind the grade on my siding?

What is behind it? The grade is supposed to be no closer than 8" to any wood. Sometimes the foundation is furred out and the siding is over concrete or masonry. If they used pressure treated furring this would be acceptable.

How deep does Masonite siding go in the ground?

Seeing all four sides of home's siding essentially buried in the ground, with new grade's soil. Intentionally submersing the bottom twelve inch wide Masonite™ siding board, running horizontally in the ground's surface at least four to five inches!

How do you start the first row of lap siding?

3:1217:4096711 views - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd these starter strips are going to be the first thing you install along the very bottom of yourMoreAnd these starter strips are going to be the first thing you install along the very bottom of your sheathing. And that's going to be what helps to kick out that first row of lap siding.

How far under patio should siding be?

Having a 2” clearance between the bottom of the siding and any hard surfaces such as a deck or concrete walkway is usually sufficient. A greater clearance of 6” is usually recommended above soft surfaces such as dirt or bark dust.

How do you start wood siding?

How to Install Exterior Wood SidingStep 1: Gather Materials & Make a Plan. ... Step 2: Remove Existing Cladding. ... Step 3: Check Wall for Damage. ... Step 4: Install Moisture Barrier. ... Step 5: Cut Starter Plank. ... Step 6: Install Starter Plank. ... Step 7: Cut & Attach Vertical Planks. ... Step 8: Install Around Windows & Doors.More items...

What to do when siding is too close to the ground?

1:032:42Is Your Siding TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND? Rotted Siding VideoYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd get a get a flashing in up under the the bottom of the cut off siding. And get some PVC trim onMoreAnd get a get a flashing in up under the the bottom of the cut off siding. And get some PVC trim on there. And basically then then try to get the the dirt or try to not put mulch.

How far should siding be from ground?

about 6-8”In most cases, siding clearance should be about 6-8” from the ground. If it's done improperly, the siding may be too close to the ground, which will invite insects, pests, and other types of damage.

What is the minimum clearance between untreated wood siding and rough ground?

Wood siding should be 4" or so from the ground whether that be soil or solid surface. Six inches would not be too far. The further the better. When it is higher from the ground splashing water onto the wood is minimized.

Is siding put on from the bottom up?

below the top of the foundation, but the lower the vinyl siding is installed, the better. It protects the sheathing from rain, snow and pests.

What do you put under wood siding?

Underlayment Underlayment or weather resistive barrier (WRB) is installed between the siding and the sheathing. This can be tar paper or a house wrap such as HardieWrap® or Tyvek HomeWrap®. HardieWrap® is great for keeping water out and at the same time letting water vapor escape from the house.

How much do you overlap wood siding?

Snap vertical chalk lines at each stud location, typically every 16 or 24 inches. Bend flashing over the water table so it extends 1 inch up the wall. Secure the top edge of the flashing at the studs with 4d nails. Overlap the ends of the flashing 3 inches, and seal joints with a paintable synthetic-rubber sealant.

How do I start my siding level?

Snap a level chalk line for the first starter strip at the base of the wall, no less than 8 inches above ground level, after determining the lowest corner of the house. This is where the new siding will begin. This chalk line should be level and a consistent distance from the eaves or the top and bottom of the windows.

How do you close the gap between siding and foundation?

Use duct tape and place it at the top portion of the siding strip, spanning until you get to the lowest part. Close the gap with a caulk gun, sealing between all the strips. Let the caulking dry before removing the duct tape, then repeat the process on the other strips.

Should siding overlap foundation?

Generally, you want your siding to overlap your foundation by approximately 2 inches. However, you also want your siding to be at least 6 inches to 8 inches from the ground. Combining the reasoning for these two thresholds will help you decide where to run the bottom edge of your siding.

Where is the starter on a siding?

The starter is basically the thin piece or strip usually installed at the furthest bottom. It is, in most cases 1-inch and usually installed underneath the first course. Since siding needs a little overlap, this starter helps stimulate that.

Should you cut siding smaller than the actual length?

In this case, cut your sidings a few inches smaller than the actual lengths.

Is trim thicker than siding?

Here is a little something about the trim, it should always be a little thicker than the siding you intend to use so that they are compatible and fit properly with each other.

How far is wood siding above grade?

The adjacent grade is asphalt, concrete or other impervious surface, at least 18 inches wide and draining away from the building, the wood framing members including wood sheathing shall be minimum 6″ above the adjacent exposed earth and the wood siding shall be minimum 4″ above the adjacent exposed earth.

How far from ground should wood siding?

Wood siding clearance is recommended to be 8 inches from soil. Wood products need to be able to dry thoroughly after rain and the extra space aids that process. Also, do not allow mulch ( wood or stone) or vegetation to come in contact with any siding product.

How far down should siding go?

In most cases, siding clearance should be about 6-8” from the ground. If it’s done improperly, the siding may be too close to the ground, which will invite insects, pests, and other types of damage. However, if it’s done properly, your siding will last for many years to come, protecting your home and your family.

Does wood siding increase home value?

Wood siding can easily last a century or more, with proper care and maintenance and is completely biodegradable. In the end, a quality siding job adds real value, protection and curb appeal, giving you a great return on your investment.

Should wood siding touch the ground?

Wood siding should be 4″ or so from the ground whether that be soil or solid surface. Six inches would not be too far. The further the better. The siding itself is in decent shape – no visible signs of water damage or termites.

How do I protect my siding from dirt?

A drip edge is a trench filled with gravel that prevents mud from splashing against your home. You install it where water drips off the roof. I also use a drip edge when the grade next to the house is the same level as the siding.

What is the minimum clearance between untreated wood siding and rough ground?

Wood siding, stucco, vinyl, brick – all siding, should ideally have at least 6 to 8 inches clearance above the ground.

How do I install siding on a house?

Step 1 - Before the Siding is Installed. Take a layer of plywood sheathing covered with felt building paper and install it onto the exterior surface of a your house's wood frame. The felt paper acts as a water and air barrier, but allows water vapor to pass through so as not to accumulate in the wall assembly.

What is wood siding?

Wood siding is a type of exterior finish material that adds an authentic quality to new home construction and is easy to install. Siding is available in wood, aluminum, clapboard and synthetic or composite materials. Among the wood types, unfinished red cedar and cypress are favorites for residential applications.

Why is proper clearance required for siding?

Maintaining proper clearances reduces access to wood structures behind the siding by wood destroying insects or damage from water that might find its way behind the siding. It allows for inspection of the area.

What is the grey color on vinyl siding?

The grey color visible in the picture is the back side of the vinyl siding. Maintaining good clearances between finish-grade and siding materials of all kinds is crucial to preventing this kind of damage.   In most cases it doesn’t make any difference whether the siding is wood, vinyl, aluminum, stucco or brick.

How thick should lap siding be?

Some 3/4-inch-thick patterns of siding can be applied directly over wall studs.

How many inches does a siding lap?

As its name “lap” implies, an upper siding board laps over the board below it by 1 to 2 inches. 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.

What is lap siding?

Lap siding, also called horizontal siding or clapboard, may be made of wood, fiber-cement, plywood, hardboard, or similar materials. Despite the variety of materials, installation methods are basically the same, with a few variations in fasteners, joints, and so forth.

Do you prime the backside of siding before painting?

If you are planning to paint your siding, it’s a good idea to prime all the pieces on all sides before installing them; that way, the backsides will also be protected against rot and the boards are less likely to cup or twist. Always prime the cut ends of boards before installing the boards.

Do you need to install metal flashing before applying trim?

Around windows and doors, install metal flashing before applying the trim to be sure water will not infiltrate. Some installers install vertical strips of roofing felt over the studs— these help you locate the studs, and they help seal the nail shanks to prevent moisture penetration.

Can lap siding be mitered?

In some custom installations, lap siding is carefully mitered at outside corners. This makes for a classic look but calls for very good carpentry skills and boards that are certain not to shrink. The method discussed here is an easier and more common one—installing corner trim first and then butting the siding to it.

What does the 7 in line mean on shingles?

The 7-in. line indicates the top of the starter course ; the 12-in. line indicates the top of the first course of shingles . Starter courses can be three-tab shingles with the bottom 5 in. cut off or a starter strip that comes on rolls in various widths.

Do you cover starter course with shingles?

You’ll cover the starter course with the first course of shingles. Running starter courses along the rakes isn’t imperative, but it’s smart because starters stiffen the overhanging shingle edges and create a cleaner sightline from below.

Is it cheaper to trim shingles with starter strips?

Still, trimming three-tab shingles is cheaper, so here’s a quick look at that method.