the dirt is to close to the btm of the stucco, they graded the dirt to high, you need a min. 4" from finish grade w/ a min. of 8" to P.T. Sill. Using a gap behind stucco will cause alot of cracking in stucco when you have any significant amount of wind, it allows for flexing of the stucco which is inherently brittle. If you water proof it properly you dont need a gap behind stucco
Hello Ryan, what we have is a Passive House Build. Rain screens/airgaps are one of the most important things to do to the building envelope. It allows the building to dry when it gets wet. When it comes to the stucco, yes it is low for now. The surrounding dirt will be taken away when the landscaping gets done. Actually the plans call out for the finish grade to be 8" from the Pressure Treated bottom plate (P.T.), and 4" from the stucco. I think you said it right in your comment. Thank you for the comment.
Waterproofing is behind everything you see here. (Clean Underwear in the glovebox). Furring strips are to give a drainage gap behind the cladding (Suspenders). Paper is a bonding surface for the stucco and altogether this outermost layer sheds most of the water before it ever hits the control layers deeper in (Belt). That said, I like a gap between grade and cladding too. At least you can readily see termite channels.
Nice thanks.
Thank you for the comment. Keep on watching as we finish this "First Of It's Kind" in the OC!
the dirt is to close to the btm of the stucco, they graded the dirt to high, you need a min. 4" from finish grade w/ a min. of 8" to P.T. Sill. Using a gap behind stucco will cause alot of cracking in stucco when you have any significant amount of wind, it allows for flexing of the stucco which is inherently brittle. If you water proof it properly you dont need a gap behind stucco
Hello Ryan, what we have is a Passive House Build. Rain screens/airgaps are one of the most important things to do to the building envelope. It allows the building to dry when it gets wet. When it comes to the stucco, yes it is low for now. The surrounding dirt will be taken away when the landscaping gets done. Actually the plans call out for the finish grade to be 8" from the Pressure Treated bottom plate (P.T.), and 4" from the stucco. I think you said it right in your comment. Thank you for the comment.
Waterproofing is behind everything you see here. (Clean Underwear in the glovebox). Furring strips are to give a drainage gap behind the cladding (Suspenders). Paper is a bonding surface for the stucco and altogether this outermost layer sheds most of the water before it ever hits the control layers deeper in (Belt).
That said, I like a gap between grade and cladding too. At least you can readily see termite channels.