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.

How far should sheathing overlap foundation?

protect lower part of wall sheathing with bituthane membrane. overlap sill-to-foundation joint with a minimum 2-inch overlap.

Should there be gaps in wall sheathing?

The exterior face of the foam sheathing will be the water control layer and there will be a gap – there must be a gap – between the cladding and the exterior face of the foam sheathing. Yes, a 3/8-inch gap, is a pretty good gap to start with.

Why is sheathing sometimes required to be installed vertically at the corners of a house?

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.

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.

Building Better Walls | 5 Sheathing Pro Tips

Should plywood sheathing 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.

Does OSB need expansion joints?

Yes, in order to avoid dilation stress on the board edges. Expansion gaps are narrow distances that must be provided at the panel joints when fixing the straight-edge OSB boards on supports.

Does OSB board expand and contract?

In common with other wood and wood-based products, OSB may expand or contract slightly when exposed to changes of moisture in the atmosphere.

Should plywood sheathing overlap foundation?

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.

Should sheathing overlap rim joist?

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.

Should OSB overlap 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.

Do you need to stagger wall sheathing?

As Thor states in his book, if your designer requires staggering, then “stagger away”. In most cases by fully sheathing the wall, we already have a wall that is far stronger than it needs to be. So be careful about using the argument that because it is stronger that is the way it should be done.

What is the difference between sheeting and sheathing?

It's sheathing, not “sheeting”

Plywood and OSB are examples of sheathing, not “sheeting.” The word comes from the verb “to sheathe,” which means to encase something in a protective covering (as a dagger is protected by a leather sheath).

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.

Which is stronger OSB or plywood?

Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.

Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?

OSB has a lower resale value than plywood due to its lower strength. For this reason, few homeowners prefer OSB in their homes. Apart from costs, plywood is superior in all the other areas, such as the strength of the structure. For this reason, it's a superior material for use on the subfloor.

Why is OSB more expensive than plywood?

Durable wood also lasts longer. Since it lasts longer, manufacturers will sell fewer boards over time. To ensure they don't miss out on future profit, they need to price their boards at a higher price point. OSB is expensive because it's durable and requires more resources and processes to make it.

Should you leave a gap on OSB?

APA recommends a 1/8-inch space between panel edge and end joints. Plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), like all wood products, will expand or shrink slightly with changes in moisture content. If the wood structural panels are tightly butted, there is no room for expansion and buckling can occur.

How tight should tongue and groove OSB be?

No, all OSB sheathing should be be spaced approximately 1/8” during installation. The tongue and groove joints of Weyerhaeuser floor panels (including Edge™ and Edge Gold™) are designed to simply be slid together without using significant force.

Does plywood need an expansion gap?

Unlike laminate floors which float over an existing floor and have expansion gaps, plywood is usually screwed or nailed into position and expansion gaps are not necessary. You should fit the plywood sheets tight together , but always leave a 10mm expansion gap at the perimeter.

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.

Is plywood stronger horizontal or vertical?

So, all things being the same, a horizontal orientation results in a stronger plywood garage wall as compared to vertical orientation.

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.