Covering the bottom of a house is a crucial aspect of home construction and maintenance, as it not only enhances the aesthetics but also provides functional benefits. The area beneath a house, often referred to as the foundation or crawl space, requires suitable protection and covering to shield it from environmental elements and potential intruders.
This article delves into the essential steps and considerations on how to cover bottom of house effectively.
From selecting the right materials and designing an appropriate cover to addressing drainage and ventilation, we will guide you through the process.
Whether you’re seeking to beautify your home’s exterior, improve energy efficiency, or safeguard against pests and dampness, understanding the techniques to cover the bottom of your house is paramount for maintaining a secure and visually appealing living space.
Importance of Covering the Bottom of a House
Covering the bottom of a house may not seem like an important task, but it can actually have a big impact on the overall health and durability of your home. The bottom or foundation of a house is what provides stability and support to the entire structure.
It is constantly exposed to environmental elements such as moisture, pests, and even extreme temperatures. Therefore, properly covering the bottom of a house is crucial for protecting it from potential damage and ensuring its longevity.
Moisture Protection
One of the main reasons for covering the bottom of a house is to protect it from moisture. When moisture seeps into the foundation, it can lead to mold growth, wood rot, and other forms of water damage.
This not only weakens the structure but also creates an unhealthy living environment. By covering the bottom of a house, you can prevent moisture from entering and causing these issues.
Pest Prevention
Another important reason for covering the bottom of a house is to keep pests out. Insects, rodents, and other critters are always looking for ways to enter homes, and the foundation is often their easiest access point.
Once inside, they can cause damage to the structure and pose health risks to occupants. By properly covering the bottom of a house, you can block off their entry points and prevent them from becoming a problem in your home.
Temperature Regulation
The foundation of a house is also responsible for helping to regulate temperature within the home. If it is not covered properly, air can easily seep in and out, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
This can result in higher energy bills as you try to compensate for the loss of heat or cool air. By covering the bottom of your house, you can improve insulation and help keep your home at a consistent temperature.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Aside from its practical benefits, covering the bottom of a house can also improve the overall appearance of your home. It can help create a more cohesive and polished look, especially if you choose materials that complement the rest of your exterior. This not only enhances curb appeal but also adds value to your property.
10 Methods How to Cover Bottom of House
1. Pressure Treated Lumber
Pressure-treated lumber is a great option for covering the bottom of your house. It is durable, long-lasting, and relatively inexpensive. Pressure-treated lumber can be used to create a skirting around the base of your house that will protect it from the elements and keep out pests. Additionally, pressure-treated lumber can be painted or stained to match the exterior of your home.
However, it is important to note that pressure-treated lumber may contain chemical preservatives that can be harmful to humans and pets if ingested. It is recommended to wear protective gear when working with pressure-treated lumber and to seal any exposed ends or cuts.
2. Vinyl Skirting
Vinyl skirting is another popular option for covering the bottom of your house. Vinyl skirting is easy to install and requires very little maintenance. It is also available in a variety of colors and styles so you can find one that matches the exterior of your home perfectly.
Additionally, vinyl skirting provides excellent insulation, which can help reduce energy costs in colder months. Although vinyl skirting is more expensive than some of the other options, it is a durable and long-lasting choice that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
3. Stone Veneer
Stone veneer is a great way to add an elegant touch to the bottom of your house while still providing protection from the elements and pests.
Stone veneer comes in a variety of colors and textures, so you can find something that fits with the style of your home perfectly. Additionally, stone veneer requires very little maintenance and can last for many years without needing to be replaced or repaired.
To install stone veneer, you will first need to prepare the area by cleaning it thoroughly and making sure it is level. Then, using a mortar mix, you will adhere the stone veneer to the bottom of your house.
Make sure to leave space for proper drainage and ventilation behind the stones. Once the mortar has dried, use a sealant to protect the stones from water damage and to enhance their natural color.
4. Brick Veneer
Brick veneer is another popular option for covering the bottom of your house as it adds an attractive look while still providing protection from the elements and pests.
Like stone veneer, brick veneer comes in a variety of colors and textures so you can find something that fits with the style of your home perfectly. Additionally, brick veneer requires very little maintenance and can last for many years without needing to be replaced or repaired.
5. Stucco
Stucco is another great material for covering the bottom of your house, as it provides excellent protection from moisture while also looking attractive on any type of home exterior design scheme.
Stucco also has superior insulation properties, which will help keep energy costs down during colder months when heating bills tend to spike up dramatically due to poor insulation in homes with inadequate coverage at their base level.
6. Concrete Blocks
Concrete blocks are a great option for covering the bottom of your house as they are strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive compared to other materials like stone or brick veneers. They are also easy to install if you have some basic DIY skills, making them ideal for those who want quick results without too much effort.
Concrete blocks come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing you to customize them according to what best suits your home’s exterior design scheme.
7. Exterior Siding
Exterior siding is another popular choice when it comes to covering up the bottom part of your home. This material offers excellent protection against moisture while still looking attractive on any type of home exterior design scheme.
Furthermore, external siding comes in different types such as wood, aluminum, vinyl, fiber cement board, etc., giving you plenty of options when it comes time to decide what type would work best with your particular project.
8. Landscaping
Landscaping around the base area near your house not only adds aesthetic appeal but also helps protect its foundation from water damage or other environmental hazards.
Planting shrubs or trees around this area helps absorb excess moisture, which could otherwise seep into basement levels causing all sorts damage over time. Furthermore, adding mulch near these plants helps retain soil moisture while also helping prevent weed growth throughout this area.
9. Metal Flashing
Metal flashing provides an additional layer between any gaps found between siding panels on an older home’s foundation wall which helps protect against water damage caused by heavy rainstorms or melting snow during winter months.
This material is relatively inexpensive yet highly effective at preventing water infiltration into these areas, which could cause serious structural issues over time if left unchecked. It’s important however that proper installation techniques are used when installing metal flashing around these areas since improper installation could lead to more harm than good if done incorrectly.
10. Plastic Sheeting
Plastic sheeting may not provide much aesthetic appeal, but it does offer excellent protection against moisture, along with being quite affordable compared to other materials mentioned here previously.
This material should be installed carefully, however, since improper installation may result in water collection underneath its surface, leading to more problems rather than offering solutions down the road.
Conclusion
In conclusion, covering the bottom of your house is achievable, regardless of whether or not you’re a professional contractor. With a little knowledge and preparation, anyone can learn how to cover bottom their house with ease and confidence.
Utilizing proper materials such as plastic sheathing, wood framing, screws/nails, insulation, caulking, and sealants once all those steps have been completed you are ready to start your comprehensive coverage for your home’s exterior.
There are quite a few variations when it comes to covering up the bottom section of houses which may seem intimidating at first but rest assured that utilizing these tips mentioned any homeowner can learn how to cover the bottom of their house without any issues.
I encourage you to research further online if needed and don’t forget to ask questions along the way! Now that you understand how to cover bottom of house you are ready to tackle this task either solo or with help and get it done in no time! Good luck!
