Wall Sheathing

http://go.askthebuilder.com/NewsletterSignupNow founder, Tim Carter describes wall sheathing technology of 2010 and sheathing materials used from the late 1800's to the present.
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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Wall Sheathing
• zip wall sheathing
• osb
• oriented strand board
• plywood
• 1x6s
• wall framing
• exterior wall sheathing
• Tim Carter
• AsktheBuilder
• Ask the Builder
• diy sheathing
• home improvement.

[EquipmentPhoto]

with the OSB being plastic coated, would it still be able to breathe?

[AsktheBuilder]

@EquipmentPhoto I did some research and discovered the manufacturer DOES say the green coating is breathable. Water vapor can pass through it.

[GeorgiaPatriot41]

@EquipmentPhoto

Homes do not need to breathe, people do! However, this sheathing is made to allow water vapor to pass through. For energy efficiency sake you'd be better off to seal your home completely from air infiltration and then control the inside air quality with your hvac system. This product is far superior to house wrap, the tape at the seams practically eliminates the thermal bridging that occurs at all exterior studs.

[AsktheBuilder]

@GeorgiaPatriot41 Thanks for you comment. I'm intrigued by your last sentence. How can the tape eliminate the thermal bridging? I can't see that happening.

[8088675309]

@gschjetne House wrap acts as a wind barrier and as a secondary rain barrier around windows and doors. It's not really a vapor barrier. Very hot and humid areas (e.g. Florida) sometimes use an exterior vapor barrier, since the moisture hitting the exterior wall of an an air conditioned room may cause moisture to gather in the insulation. It's not an exact science, and some believe it is better to never have an exterior vapor barrier. My home is 1" redwood tongue and groove and that's all!

[niksinthe916]

So dose this product eliminate the need to wrap the house with a product like Tyreke? 

[EquipmentPhoto]

@AsktheBuilder Very interesting....another person probably making millions off a very simple, yet very practical idea. This will probably eventually lead to the end of tyvek and the other home wraps, obviously depending on price. Keep up all the great work!

[AsktheBuilder]

@EquipmentPhoto Watch the video again..... The clues as to who makes it are written all over it.......  :-> In fact, I'm shocked that someone hasn't commented that they think this is a commercial for that company. I was paid nothing to shoot the video. I couldn't avoid some of the shots.

[EquipmentPhoto]

@AsktheBuilder If you could tell me who manufactures it I would be happy to look into it. I personally don't see how it would breathe, and we all know homes need to breathe. This looks like it would be optimal for a Fire Contractor in board-up situations, but not entire houses. I did a quick google search for coated OSB and didn't find much. Thanks for all the informative videos, and please keep up the good work.

[AsktheBuilder]

@EquipmentPhoto I have the same concern. You need to ask the manufacturer. Come back and let us know what you discover.