Ambient temperatures and moisture conditions cause a constant state of expansion and contraction in every substance there is, whether solid, liquid or gas. This explains why bridges have expansion joints, why sidewalks have expansion joints and why you have to space structural panels such as OSB with an 1/8” gap at joints to give them …
It’s cheaper to fix issues in the beginning of any process than at the end! So read on to make sure you know all about how panels are sized and how it accounts for expansion & contraction from moisture.
As much as 95% of US roofing starts with wood panel sheathing. This is because it’s easy to work with and provides a sturdy substrate for roofing materials. However, if the wood sheathing panels are not installed correctly, bucking may occur and this will telegraph through to the shingles causing a ‘wavy’ look. This can result in very expensive call backs for the construction company, so ensure that you follow these guidelines and the manufacturer’s instructions as well as your design professional’s outlines in order to avoid problems.
Your time is money, so knowing where to focus your air-sealing efforts will help you to achieve the desired results in a blower door test.
OSB sheathing is a sustainable, durable, economical and practical choice for builders and framers. OSB sheathing success relies on proper installation and there are a number of strategies to follow to minimize call backs and to ensure that your build enjoys longevity and aesthetic appeal.
Confused on which side of OSB it is safe to paint? Get the answer today from the Ol’ Sage Builder and get painting!
As construction costs increase and building codes demand more effective building envelopes, construction professionals are looking to taller wall panels to fill in the gaps. OSB wall panels already make for a sustainable and cost-effective option but with longer length OSB wall panels, the efficacy of the building envelope is increased by creating fewer seams while costs, waste and installation time are reduced.
Many framers are being told to install OSB wall panels/sheathing as tight as possible in order to create a tighter building envelope and meet energy codes. While this may make some sense, there are inherent pitfalls to this strategy.
It’s a Super Strength Showdown! When building any project we all want the best out of our materials, so if you curious on if OSB will provide the same strength as CDX then we’ve got an answer for you!
When a ‘whole house’ design approach is adopted, construction professionals can effectively improve energy efficiency with little or no increase in construction cost as higher costs may be offset by using a smaller HVAC system or less material. Efficient wall systems enable the construction professional to secure the building envelope and prevent energy loss.
