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what size plywood do you use for exterior walls

by Mrs. Hillary Raynor Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

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.

Full Answer

What is the best wood for walls?

What Floors Look Best With Wood Paneling?

  • Grounds for Appeal. Wood paneling comes in various appealing tones, from light pine to dark walnut veneer, but a darker floor grounds or visually stabilizes a room.
  • On the Surface. A variety of textural elements keeps a space from appearing flat or uninteresting. ...
  • Cabin Fever. ...
  • A Concrete Solution. ...

What is the Best Drywall thickness for walls?

  • Helps prevent noise from traveling between walls and ceilings.
  • Has a noise-dampening core.
  • Can be as thin as 1/2-inch and as thick as 5/8-inch.
  • Can be replaced with two sheets of drywall you adhere together yourself. ...
  • For best soundproofing, combine soundproof drywall with fiberglass insulation.

Why is it better to use drywall instead of plywood?

Should You Use Drywall or Plywood for Garage Walls?

  • Strength. When it comes to strength and integrity, plywood can withstand more weight than drywall. ...
  • Ease of Installation. An average sheet of drywall weighs around 20-30 pounds more than the same-sized sheet of plywood. ...
  • Fireproofing. When it comes to fire safety, drywall wins hands down. ...
  • Soundproofing. ...

What type of plywood do you use for exterior walls?

  • Exterior means the panels have been waterproofed and can withstand inclement weather. ...
  • Exposure 1 means the panels have been waterproofed and can withstand exposure to the elements during construction. ...
  • Exposure 2 means the panels are made with an intermediate glue that is not fully waterproof. ...

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What type of plywood is used for exterior walls?

3. Structural Fiberboard. 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.

What is the best plywood for exterior use?

What Type of Plywood is Best For Outdoor Use?Exterior plywood is weather (and water) resistant, so it's strong enough to be used outside and also in areas that are exposed to water and humidity, like a garage. ... There are many types of exterior plywood to choose from — the most common being CDX or ACX.More items...•

Is 7/16 OSB good for exterior walls?

Wood frame exterior walls must be fully sheathed, including areas above or below wall openings, with minimum 7/16-in. wood structural panels. Interior shear walls must be fully sheathed including areas above or below wall openings with minimum 7/16-in.

What thickness plywood should I use for walls?

½” thickUsing 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.

How long will exterior plywood last outside?

There are a few averages you can expect, but they are dependent on these factors. Plywood siding, such as T-111 should give at least a 35 year life expectancy, if finished properly; but there are many cases of it lasting over 50 years. Roof sheathing should last 30 to 40 years or to put it another way, two roofs.

What is the difference between marine plywood and exterior plywood?

There can be no voids or holes hidden on the inner layers of marine grade plywood. Accordingly, it is denser and stronger than exterior plywood. The edges tend to cut and sand cleaner than the standard plywood. Marine plywood is intended for use in boat building or other marine applications.

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.

Can you use 1/2 OSB for walls?

Building codes in some areas require that the best OSB for walls is 1/2 inch thick if stucco will be applied. Thicker OSB is recommended for high-risk areas where walls can be compromised by hurricanes or tornadoes. Note that specifications for fasteners used with OSB are different in high-risk areas.

What is exterior wall sheathing?

Wall sheathing is primarily a structural material. It is attached to the exterior wall framing and prevents walls from swaying or bending. Builders use sheathing as a nailing base for siding, creating the walls of a building.

Can you use 1/4 plywood walls?

Any good, solid 1/4 plywood will be fine for the walls.

What type of wood is used for exterior walls?

Cedar, Cypress, and Redwood are extremely weather-resistant compared to other woods. Because of this and the fact that they are relatively easy to find, these three are the most commonly used woods on the exterior of a home.

How much does a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 plywood cost?

3/4 x 4 x 8 Plywood Sheathing at MenardsEveryday Low Price$56.1411% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 6/12/22$6.18

Minimum Plywood Thickness

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.

Width and Length

All plywood sheets have the same 4-foot width, but you can buy sheets that are 8- 10- and 12-feet long. If you’re installing the sheathing vertically, the use of longer sheets allows you to avoid making horizontal seams in the middle of a wall. This improves water resistance and insulation.

What is the best plywood for outdoor use?

ACX exterior graded plywood is the best option for outdoor building. It is relatively affordable, and doesn’t sacrifice quality for price. However, if you are working with a tight budget, then consider buying CDX plywood. Still, it is worth noting that this particular type of construction-graded plywood, both looks and feels rather shabby.

What is the best grade of plywood?

There are four standard plywood grades, rating from A down to D. Plywood that is rated ‘A’ grade is the best of the best. It has been sanded down smooth, and is ready to go for staining, painting, or finishing. Plywood that is graded ‘D’ is of the lowest quality.

What is pressure treated plywood?

Pressure treated plywood has been put through a chemical process that injects preservatives into the wood. Those preservatives help make plywood less susceptible to bugs, mold, and rot. Exterior graded plywood refers to ply sheets that have had their veneers glued together with waterproof glue.

What is plywood graded D?

Plywood that is graded ‘D’ is of the lowest quality. These low graded panels are usually pretty scruffy and riddled with splinters. You can also get what are called ‘composite graded’ plywood, like AB, BC, CD grades and so on.

How long does pressure treated plywood last?

Pressure treated exterior graded plywood can last roughly 20 years – even in rainy and/or humid climates. But this is only if the plywood has been properly sealed (especially along those tricky exposed sides).

What is the strongest plywood?

Constructed from high-grade veneer, this plywood is used to construct decks and boats. Marine Grade Plywood is arguably the strongest plywood on the market, and its eye-watering price reflects that.

Is ACX plywood waterproof?

This plywood version doesn’t have the same level of waterproofing quality that Marine Grade Plywood has. Still, it can easily handle long-term exposure to the outdoors. A popular exterior grade plywood is ACX plywood. That’s because ACX ply sheets combine quality with affordability.

How is Plywood Used Outdoors?

Exterior plywood is weather (and water) resistant, so it’s strong enough to be used outside and also in areas that are exposed to water and humidity, like a garage. This type of plywood, often made from Douglas fir, is made stronger by adhering its layers with a waterproof glue.

What Types of Exterior Plywood Can Be Used Outdoors?

There are many types of exterior plywood to choose from — the most common being CDX or ACX. Exterior plywood is marked with an X to denote this use and the construction grade is in the first two letters; the first letter refers to the front of the plywood and the second refers to the back.

What are the Differences Between Exterior Plywoods?

Construction and cost are the biggest differences between types of exterior plywood. Marine plywood is often the most expensive and that is because of both its look and construction.

How much does structural fiberboard cost?

Structural fiberboard has a range of costs depending on its other benefits, and the range of insulation it has. It can cost $12 to $30 a sheet, so assuming a 500 square foot installation, it can cost $690 to $990 for materials and installation. How to Install Structural Fiberboard Exterior Sheathing.

How much does it cost to install gypsum sheathing?

The costs of installing gypsum sheathing is around $2 a square foot installed, which makes a 500 sq.ft. installation cost roughly $1,000 when complete. This includes both labor at roughly $700, and materials at roughly $300. How to Install Gypsum Exterior Wall Sheathing.

What is foam board?

Foam board is a non structural sheathing designed to help insulate the home and create a tight building envelope. It’s normally installed after structural sheathing, but may also be installed over existing siding before new siding is put on, or it may be used on its own if the studs have been diagonally braced for stability first.

Why is sheathing important for exterior?

Whether you’re adding it for strength and stability or to increase the energy efficiency of the home, sheathing is the right material for the job.

What is gypsum sheathing?

Gypsum Exterior Wall Sheathing. Gypsum sheathing is a type of sheetrock meant to be used in exterior applications. It may be combined with fiberglass or it may simply be made of gypsum and given a waterproof exterior finish.

What is non structural sheathing?

Non structural sheathing is the material used when helping to create the tight building envelope that most people want these days to help lower energy bills. Non structural sheathing is applied either to the exterior or interior of structural sheathing and is used to help insulate the home. Image Credit: Buildipedia.com.

What is exterior sheathing?

Exterior sheathing is a board or panel that may be made of several different materials. It’s installed over the exterior walls of the home, and can have several purposes from lending structural support to helping to insulate the home.

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