Should OSB be installed vertically or horizontally?

After much research on the matter – as it impacts tiny houses – I've landed on a rule-of-thumb to follow: If the height of a wall is less than 8-feet, install the plywood (or OSB) vertically. If the height of a wall is greater then 8-feet, install the plywood (or OSB) horizontally.

Is OSB stronger vertical or horizontal?

wall construction, vertical orientation is actually stronger because there are no horizontal joints. Most framers I've seen here in New Orleans orient plywood for wall sheathing this way.

Can OSB sheathing be installed horizontally?

When installing walls, the strength axis can run either vertically or horizontally to supports.” We can reason on this too. Most 4x8 OSB panels have nailing lines running both directions on the panel, and 4x9 and larger only have them running parallel with the long edge.

Should sheathing be horizontal or vertical?

On roofs and floors, sheathing is installed perpendicular to supports because this is the orientation that results in the strongest roof or floor. Wind loads perpendicular to a wall are similar to floor and roof loads, and installing sheathing horizontally makes walls better at resisting wind pressure.

Which direction is OSB stronger?

Using OSB Safely

When installing in vertical applications such as wall sheathing, you'll want to orient the smooth or stamped side facing out. The smooth side has a better moisture resistance and will ultimately provide better performance against weather.

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Can I install OSB vertically?

If the height of a wall is less than 8-feet, install the plywood (or OSB) vertically. If the height of a wall is greater then 8-feet, install the plywood (or OSB) horizontally.

Which way do you install OSB?

OSB roof panels should always be installed with the grade stamp facing into the attic and the screened surface (with the nail guide lines) facing up. When the grade stamp is covered by roofing, the building inspector will not be able to confirm that the correct OSB roofing panel was used.

Does the orientation of plywood matter?

Wood is strongest in the direction parallel to grain. Because of this, the strength and stiffness properties of wood structural panels are greater in the direction parallel to the strength axis than perpendicular to it (see Figure 1).

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.

Does it hurt OSB board to get wet?

Your framing lumber and the oriented strand board (OSB) are going to be fine. The glues used to make OSB are water-resistant because the manufacturers know that virtually no one can build a home that won't get wet before the roof and siding is applied.

Does sheathing have to end on a stud?

Securing the sheathing to the frame

Important, DO NOT fasten the four corners first. To secure the panel to the stud, start at the top left corner of the panel and fasten the panel to the vertical side stud from top to bottom.

What thickness of OSB is used on a roof?

Standard roof sheathing thickness is ½” to ⅝” thick. If you are using OSB for your roof deck, then ⅝” is the recommended thickness. For plywood, which is slightly stronger than strand board, ½” thick is appropriate. Another factor is how far apart your trusses or rafters are spaced.

Does roof sheathing need to 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 wall sheathing cover the sill plate?

Should sheathing overlap foundation? The advice when installing wall sheathing is to overlap and install flashing, providing a means to direct moisture away from the foundation. Pros often seal the sill when the wall sheathing overlaps the sill plate.

Do you need H clips for wall sheathing?

H-clips are referred to in the APA Guide as “edge support." For the most common roof sheathing in our area, which is 1/2” nominal (7/16” actual) sheathing over trusses or rafters at 24” on center, there is no requirement for H-clips.

What do the lines on OSB mean?

Some panels have a textured surface, which makes them less slippery when used for roof sheathing. OSB panels often have lines at 16- and 24-in. intervals so you know where underlying studs, rafters and joists are for nailing. In our area, 1/2-in.

What size OSB should be on exterior wall?

Exterior walls

Minimum thickness of wall sheathing for use on walls; 3/8" plywood or 5/16" OSB. If you use fibre cement siding, go with 1/2" plywood or 7/16" OSB for the exterior walls.

Which side of OSB goes up on floor?

Also, by installing the stamps down, the rougher side of the panels is kept upward which helps with worker traction on the jobsite. However,structurally there is no difference in how the panel will perform whether the side with the grade stamps is installed up or down.

Is 7/16 OSB OK for roof?

OSB is the most-used sheathing material for new roofs and roof replacements. You can use 7/16-inch thick OSB sheets without support for areas where the snow load is 30 pounds per square foot because it's durable and maintains building integrity much longer than other sizes.

How thick should OSB subfloor be?

The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch.

What's the difference between horizontal and vertical?

Anything parallel to the horizon is called horizontal. As vertical is the opposite of horizontal, anything that makes a 90-degree angle (right angle) with the horizontal or the horizon is called vertical. So, the horizontal line is one that runs across from left to right.