How thick should sheathing be?

The recommended thickness for roof sheathing is ⅝” thick. Sheathing with a thickness of less than that is much more likely to result in bowing between framing which could potentially compromise your exterior roof material.

How thick should wall sheathing be?

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that 7/16-inch sheathing is the minimum appropriate thickness for structural wall sheathing with an exception for gable end walls, where the minimum thickness is 3/8 inch.

How thick should plywood be for sheathing?

The International Residential Code specifies 3/8-inch plywood for sheathing walls with a standard stud spacing of 16 inches, if the siding is nailed to the studs through the sheathing. If the nails penetrate the sheathing, but not the studs, the minimum plywood thickness that the IRC designates is 1/2 inch.

What is code for exterior wall sheathing?

1304.13 EXTERIOR WALL SHEATHING. (a) Wooden structural sheathing panels shall be installed on all exterior frame walls.

How thick should exterior OSB be?

Minimum: 7/16” thickness. (Exception: 3/8” for gable end walls structural sheathing.)

How thick should wall sheathing be?

What type of sheathing is used for exterior walls?

Plywood and OSB are largely considered the best wall sheathing choices because of their overall abilities to hold fasteners well, create a strong bond between studs, and provide some thermal advantages. The “big two” aren't the only selections available however. Structural fiberboard is one such option.

How far down should sheathing go?

The wall sheathing should extend below the rim joist, which is inset on this house to allow for a continuous band of insulation. The wall sheathing below dictates the overhang. It's about 9 inches in this case, and Ben subtracts a quarter inch to allow for inconsistencies.

Can OSB be used for exterior sheathing?

Oriented strand board, or OSB, is a siding product sold in sheets or laps depending on preference. It comes in a variety of finishes made to resemble various hardwoods and stucco surfaces. Many people prefer using OSB as an alternative to other siding materials such as metal or vinyl, which aren't as strong or durable.

Should exterior walls be 2x4 or 2x6?

Modern conventional home building normally makes use of 2x4 lumber (top line above, second from left) in constructing exterior walls. But 2x6 framing, which is a little more than 1.5 times wider, is a common upgrade and is required by some local building codes.

What is the nailing pattern for sheathing?

Through the decades, the code has been very consistent regarding nail spacing. Maximum allowed nail spacing for conventionally laid unblocked roof plywood has remained remarkably constant: 6” on center (o.c.) at the supported short edges of panels, and 12” on center “in the field” at intermediate supporting rafters.

How thick plywood do I need?

Using ½” thick plywood for walls is standard, although the International Residential Code specifies only 3/8” wall sheathing when studs are spaced 16” apart and the siding is attached to the studs and not just the plywood. For buildings with siding attached only to the sheathing, the IRC requires ½” plywood.

Do exterior walls need sheathing?

Exterior wall sheathing strengthens the wall system, provides a nailing base for the siding, and gives a layer of protection against outside elements. Exterior wall sheathing is either structural or non-structural.

What is the difference between OSB and plywood?

Plywood is made of many layers of very thin wood, called plys, pressed together with glue. It may be given a veneer ² top of hardwood, while the inner layers are typically made of softwood. OSB is made of many smaller pieces of hardwood and softwood mixed together in strands.

How thick should outside walls be?

Standard ICF external walls need six inches of concrete. However, areas susceptible to high winds require concrete thickness of at least 8 inches.

How thick should OSB be for garage walls?

Note: IBC & IRC require a minimum thickness of ⅜” for OSB for wall sheathing.

How thick are residential exterior walls?

External walls are generally 10 to 12 inches wide. Homes that are built with rammed earth or heavy exterior masonry will have thicker walls. There is no limit to how thick an exterior wall can be.

Is 2x6 framing stronger than 2x4?

The total bearing area of three 2x4s is 15 3/4 square inches; two 2x6s have a bearing area of 16 square inches. In bending, however, such as from a wind load, a 2x6 wall is considerably stronger.

Can you build a 2 story house with 2x4?

Existing 2 x 4 walls do not preclude a second floor, but they must be looked at carefully (visually and by calculation) to assure that they will accept additional load.

Is plywood or OSB better for sheathing?

Industry voices from panel manufacturers or their main trade group—APA – The Engineered Wood Association—say that there's no real difference between the two panels: OSB's and plywood's structural characteristics are equivalent, and they can be used interchangeably.

How long will OSB last outside if painted?

OSB, which is protected from the elements or sealed with paint or stain, can last for decades. Some exterior OSB wall panels are even guaranteed for 50 years.

Which is better OSB or CDX plywood?

Although some people will ultimately choose CDX, many experts argue that OSB is better overall for roofing. OSB is far less likely to expand and contract when exposed to humidity and moisture, even though it will take longer to dry. With wrapping, though, it can withstand the elements without issue.

Should sheathing overlap at corners?

Sheathing usually starts at the end of a wall, or it overlaps one stud width (3½" or 5½") to cap an adjacent wall, but rarely will carpenters lap that extra half inch. There are a couple reasons for this: It's better to be slightly short than too long with sheathing.

Should sheathing be staggered?

Staggering panels by at least two supports is recommended. During the installation of OSB, the rough surface side should be facing up. This rough side is a screened or skid-resistant coated side. The panels should be spaced 1/8-inch apart at the ends and edges.

Should sheathing Touch 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.