How Thick Is The Sheathing Around A House?

Exterior wall sheathing has various purposes depending on the type of sheathing used. Structural sheathing is designed to strengthen the walls of a home or building by tying together wall studs, increasing their strength and rigidity. The most common thickness for exterior sheathing is 5/8-inch, which is the standard for many applications, including exterior walls, soffits, and eaves. The recommended thickness for sheathing on exterior walls can vary depending on factors such as building codes and the specific requirements of the project.

Foam-board thicknesses range from 3/8 inch to 4 1/4 inches, while 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch thicknesses are commonly used for covering existing siding. Standard panels are 2 by 8, 4 by 8, and 4 by 9 feet. For residential construction, the building code requirement typically requires a rated sheathing panel of either OSB or plywood of 0.95 cm (3/8 in) thickness when sheathing is required, as for shear wall sections. However, the common practice is to use sheathing thicknesses greater than code, known as “overcode”.

When selecting the appropriate thickness for wood structural sheathing panels, a minimum of 7/16″ thickness is typically used. The International Residential Code specifies 3/8-inch plywood for sheathing walls with a standard stud spacing of 16 inches. Most exterior walls have 7/16 or 1/2 exterior sheathing, either in the form of plywood, fiberboard, OSB, or other materials.

Siding (1/16″ – 1/2″), sheathing (1/2″ – 3/4″), and wood framing (5.5″ mostly, 3.5″ in older homes, and sometimes 7.25″ for more insulation) are the main types of exterior wall sheathing. The normal thickness is 1/2″, but thinner sheathing may result in higher costs with nominal gains in strength.

What thickness of plywood is used for exterior walls?

House frames are made stronger by using plywood to sheath them, providing a surface for siding installation and making the structure stronger. For structures with siding only connected to the plywood sheathing, thicker plywood is required. Standard thickness is ½” thick plywood for walls, but the International Residential Code requires 3/8″ wall sheathing when studs are spaced 16″ apart and siding is attached to the studs.

Local building codes often require 3/8″ plywood for roofing, but using ½” or 5/8″ plywood results in a longer-lasting and safer roof. Thin plywood is often insufficient for roofs, especially in large areas with large spaces between trusses and rafters. Thin plywood also makes it easier for shingles to fly off in high wind situations.

When choosing plywood thicknesses, consider the finished product requirements, such as furniture and construction, and the weather conditions of the building site, especially high winds. It may take only one severe storm to prove the worth of investing in thicker plywood.

How thick should plywood be for house exterior?

Standard plywood sheets are typically ½ inch thick, with non-standard thicknesses ranging from 1/8 inch to ¾ inch. Softwood sheets are often combined with ¾ thickness. Standard plywood sizes are slightly thinner in reality. It is used in various industries such as industrial wood, pallets, crates, integrated packaging, foam packaging, services, energy, oil and gas, automotive, aerospace and defense, chemical, plastics, film, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, consumer goods, HVAC and appliances, heavy industrial, pipe, steel, heavy equipment, agriculture, lawn and garden, logistics and transportation, and export compliant lumber and packaging. Companies like Conner Colorado and Guardian Packaging are involved in the distribution of standard plywood.

How thick should exterior wall sheathing be?

The minimum thickness for gable end walls structural sheathing is 3/8 of an inch, with the exception of 7/16 of an inch.

What is the most common exterior wall sheathing?

OSB and plywood are frequently utilized as exterior wall sheathing materials due to their capacity to provide robust and resilient walls. In comparison to less robust materials, these materials offer enhanced structural stability and superior fastener retention.

What size is standard sheathing?

Sheathing is a type of roofing material that typically ranges in thickness from 3/8 to 3/4 of an inch, with the most common thicknesses being 7/16, 1/2, and 5/8 of an inch.

How thick are the exterior walls of a home?

The thickness of exterior residential walls using ICFs depends on factors like the building’s design and location. Standard ICF walls require six inches of concrete, while areas susceptible to high winds require at least 8 inches. Engineering tables review these factors to determine the concrete core size and rebar layout. ICF reinforced concrete walls are superior to wood framed walls as shear walls.

What is the thickness of an exterior wall in inches?

The standard residential wall thickness is typically 9 inches (0. 23 m) or 6 inches (0. 15 m), with an inner wall thickness of 4 inches (0. 10 m).

How thick are the walls between houses?

The thickness of a wall can be determined at a given point along its length, with solid walls typically measuring 23 centimetres in thickness and cavity walls measuring 30 centimetres in thickness. To install cavity wall insulation, energy supply companies offer discounts of approximately 60% on the standard price. Additionally, income-related benefits may entitle individuals to free services. Additionally, HEET and Warm Front provide complimentary insulation for those who qualify.

Is plywood or OSB better for exterior sheathing?

OSB and plywood have different vapor permeance, with plywood being more variable at the high end of the relative humidity scale. In the same microclimate, plywood works significantly better than OSB due to its faster drying time and need for more protection. OSB is better at preventing water vapor from transporting through the sheathing due to the amount of glue used in its production.

OSB also has a lower drying ability than plywood, as it needs to be 100% protected from moisture, especially bulk water. If it gets wet and cannot dry due to reduced air flow, it becomes difficult to dry and stay structurally sound. Additionally, mold growth on OSB is more common than on plywood, as mold prefers the most broken down form of cellulose it can find.

OSB is typically less expensive than plywood, with the commodity price of OSB ranging from $5/sheet to $25/sheet over the last five years. Currently, OSB is running about $10/sheet for 7/16″ thick and CDX Plywood 1/2″ thick is about $17/sheet. A typical 3000 sf house might use 150 sheets for exterior sheathing, so the price difference isn’t insignificant. It can easily cost $1000 more per house to use plywood compared to the less expensive OSB.

In conclusion, OSB and plywood have different properties and requirements when it comes to sheathing. OSB is more consistent, easier to handle, and less expensive than plywood, making it a popular choice for custom houses in Austin, TX.

What plywood is most common for exterior sheathing?

Exterior plywood sheathing is used on weather-protected building exteriors, typically rated CDX with a C-grade face, D-grade back, and X for weather exposure. It has exterior-rated glue for durability. Plywood underlayment is water-repellent and thicker than normal plywood, suitable for use under hardwood, carpet, tile, and vinyl floor coverings. For a squeak-free floor, look for tongue and groove panels labeled “T and G”.

What is the best sheathing for exterior walls?

Plywood is a popular material for external structural sheathing, consisting of multiple thin layers of wood laid in opposite directions. This creates a more stable and structurally sound sheath for the exterior. Plywood is easy to install, placing it vertically flush with the building’s edge and using 2-inch nails 6 inches apart on the edges and 12 inches apart on the center. It is more dimensionally stable than OSB and does not require spacing between sheets.

To ensure proper installation, start the next row at least 3 stud bays off from the first and mark door and window openings with tick marks. For best installation practices, use house wrap over the plywood before installing the siding.