Ground Contact Siding

Ground contact siding question unless the water table goes all around the house it can look out of place and really not every style of house is supposed to have one also they have to be detailed right or they can cause more problems than they solve.

Ground contact siding.

I have a question regarding a way to waterproof and or prevent water damage to siding on a outbuilding that is at or below grade. Moreover it s engineered as a real exterior cement board so back fill it. Any contact with any building siding material and the ground or even placing it too close to ground level invites damage from insects carpenter ants termits or from water and rot. Left this way damage to the siding and framing is imminent.

Above ground treated wood must be used when lumber is less than 6 from the ground or has poor ventilation must be used for applications where wood is difficult to maintain or replace see more uses for 2x ground contact lumber. Siding too close to the ground it s vinyl isn t that final siding materials need proper clearances between finish grade and the siding regardless the type of siding. Wood siding stucco vinyl brick all siding should ideally have at least 6 to 8 inches clearance above the ground. That s true even if the siding itself would not be damaged by water since placing it close to ground provides a protected path for insects to enter the structure.

Ideal for ground contact or contact with masonry resists rot bugs and decay poly ash is an inorganic material that offers no food source to carpenter ants termites wood boring bees and more. Above and beyond this skirting is not only made for ground contact it s made to bury. I was thinking of putting a layer of felt then capping with coil then a layer of tyvek over all that then finishing with vinyl siding. This requirement is not just to prevent damage to the siding it serves a couple of other functions as well.

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.