Menu

Tallwall

BUILD ENERGY EFFICIENCY INTO EVERY HOUSE

TallWall® OSB wall sheathing has been used by the nation’s home-building industry for over 25 years and was the first longer-length wall sheathing in the market. Available in 9’ and 10’ lengths, TallWall provides builders and framers with additional advantages when compared to traditional 4×8 wall sheathing installed horizontally. The Home Innovation Research Center conducted air leakage tests that compared vertically installed TallWall sheathing to standard 4×8 panels. The tests revealed a sharp reduction in air leakage – up to 60% compared to 4×8 panels installed horizontally under the same conditions.

Features and Benefits

  • TallWall installed vertically reduces wall air leakage up to 60% compared to 4x8s installed horizontally. TallWall eliminates the blocking and horizontal gaps that are created when using 4x8s. These gaps can add up to approximately a 4-square foot hole in a typical house
  • Eliminating the blocking improves the performance of your wall insulation by reducing thermal bridging
  • Saves on materials by speeding up installation with less cutting and less handling
  • TallWall allows you to cut out the window and door openings, this adds strength to the wall
  • Provides a continuous load path
  • Eliminates gable end-hinge points because TallWall can extend beyond the top plates into the truss members
  • Provides a stronger, stiffer and flatter wall
  • Fully open wall cavities for fast, easy and full insulation
  • Reduces or eliminates nail pops and cracking caused by racking because TallWall sheathing makes the wall stronger and stiffer than using 4x8s
  • No special tools or installation skills required
  • Meets or exceeds PS 2 standards and is approved in all North American building codes
  • No added urea-formaldehyde resins, CARB exempt

The Florida Green Building Certification (FGBC) program has accepted TallWall’s reduction in air leakage for additional points under the “Innovative Ideas” section. Be sure to use TallWall or Windstorm products when working towards a green certification.

Wall Sheathing

  • Sizes / Lengths:
    4x9 and 4x10
  • Thickness:
    3/8, 7/16, 15/32
  • Edge Seal Color:
    Turquoise
  • Warranty:
    25 Year Limited Warranty
Have any questions regarding this product?
Contact us today.

TALLWALL Testimonial 1

Builders using the TallWall OSB wall sheathing will see a significant reduction in air leakage. By minimizing the sheathing joints, we have seen blower-door testing on homes using the TallWall system with fiberglass batt insulation approach the air-leakage rates on homes using spray-foam insulation.

Claude St. Hilaire
South Carolina / Home Energy Group

  • Product Documents

  • FAQ

    1. Is TallWall a “green” product?
    2. Can using TallWall and cutting out window and door openings make the wall stronger?
    3. Can TallWall help me meet green building programs?
    4. What is special about TallWall and why does it work?
    5. Were any independent tests completed?
    6. Is TallWall accepted by the building codes?
    7. Why is blocking eliminated?
    8. What does Exposure 1 rating on the grade stamp mean?
    9. How much money can I save using TallWall?
    10. Where can I buy TallWall?
    11. Are there special requirements for a stucco exterior finish?

    Is TallWall a “green” product?

    All TallWall panels are SFI® Chain of Custody certified. TallWall does not contain any added urea-formaldehyde resins. Installed vertically TallWall eliminates horizontal joints and that means up to 60% less wall air infiltration and better indoor air quality (air leakage increases energy consumption and reduces indoor air quality). Using TallWall means less job-site waste, less handling, less labor, and less metal in every house. Wood is a renewable resource that has a very positive impact on the carbon footprint.
    Top

    Can using TallWall and cutting out window and door openings make the wall stronger?

    Yes it does and it also reduces the number of joints and that reduces the air leakage. This also generates less waste with less labor. See the APA Full-Scale House Test Project report Form #3D007.
    Top

    Can TallWall help me meet green building programs?

    Yes there are many areas in programs such as the National Green Building Standard and LEED® where TallWall can help you achieve points.
    Top

    What is special about TallWall and why does it work?

    TallWall is engineered to be installed vertically on the walls. The longer length panels cover from the bottom to the top plates or beyond.
    Top

    Were any independent tests completed?

    Testing on the additional benefits were completed at Virginia Tech and the Home Innovation Labs.
    Top

    Is TallWall accepted by the building code?

    TallWall is a structural OSB panel and is accepted by North American building codes including the Florida Building Code.
    Top

    Why is blocking eliminated?

    Some building codes require all horizontal joints in the wall sheathing to have solid blocking. TallWall panels are the right lengths for taller ceiling heights or mid band connections with one structural panel – no horizontal joints – no blocking required.
    Top

    What does Exposure 1 rating on the grade stamp mean?

    Exposure 1 rating means that the panel uses a waterproof resin. It does not mean the panel is waterproof but rather that the panel will withstand normal delays in construction without affecting the structural properties (strength) of the panel. All TallWall panels carry the APA, The Engineered Wood Association, grade stamp.
    Top

    How much money can I save using TallWall?

    This will vary by the size, style and location of the home. Here are a number of areas where TallWall can reduce your costs and construction time.

    • Fewer joints make it easier to meet energy codes
    • No lumber for blocking to buy and install – Material and labor savings!
    • No panels to cut and install as filler strips – Labor savings!
    • Less waste – Less cutting and less chance of errors means savings!
    • Flatter, stronger, stiffer, and straighter walls – Fewer call backs mean savings!
    • No blocking means wall cavities are fully open and allow full insulation to be installed – Trades work faster and more efficiently!

    Top

    Where can I buy TallWall

    TallWall is available from your local building supply dealer. Ask for it by name. If your dealer or design professional requires assistance, have them contact us directly or advise us and we will contact them.
    Top

    Are there special requirements for a stucco exterior finish?

    If Stucco is the exterior finish siding please refer to the APA (The Engineered Wood Assoc) Q370 for structural sheathing thickness and grade recommendations. You should also refer to applicable local building codes for proper stucco installation over OSB or plywood sheathing.
    Top

  • FAQ

    1. Can TallWall help decrease wall air infiltration?
    2. Is TallWall CARB exempt?
    3. Can using TallWall and cutting out window and door openings make the wall stronger?
    4. What is special about TallWall and why does it work?
    5. Were any independent tests completed?
    6. Is TallWall accepted by the building codes?
    7. Why is blocking eliminated?
    8. What does Exposure 1 rating on the grade stamp mean?
    9. How much money can I save using TallWall?
    10. Where can I buy TallWall?
    11. Are there special requirements for a stucco exterior finish?

    Can TallWall help decrease wall air infiltration?

    Yes, installed vertically TallWall eliminates horizontal joints and that means up to 60% less wall air infiltration and better indoor air quality (air leakage increases energy consumption and reduces indoor air quality). Using TallWall means less job-site waste, less handling, less labor, and less metal in every house.
    Top

    Is TallWall CARB exempt?

    Yes, TallWall is CARB (California Air Resource Board) exempt and does not contain any urea-formaldehyde resins.
    Top

    Can using TallWall and cutting out window and door openings make the wall stronger?

    Yes it does and it also reduces the number of joints and that reduces the air leakage. This also generates less waste with less labor. See the APA Full-Scale House Test Project report Form #3D007.
    Top

    What is special about TallWall and why does it work?

    TallWall is engineered to be installed vertically on the walls. The longer length panels cover from the bottom to the top plates or beyond.
    Top

    Were any independent tests completed?

    Testing on the additional benefits were completed at Virginia Tech and the Home Innovation Labs.
    Top

    Is TallWall accepted by the building code?

    TallWall is a structural OSB panel and is accepted by North American building codes including the Florida Building Code.
    Top

    Why is blocking eliminated?

    Some building codes require all horizontal joints in the wall sheathing to have solid blocking. TallWall panels are the right lengths for taller ceiling heights or mid band connections with one structural panel – no horizontal joints – no blocking required.
    Top

    What does Exposure 1 rating on the grade stamp mean?

    Exposure 1 rating means that the panel uses a waterproof resin. It does not mean the panel is waterproof but rather that the panel will withstand normal delays in construction without affecting the structural properties (strength) of the panel. All TallWall panels carry the APA, The Engineered Wood Association, grade stamp.
    Top

    How much money can I save using TallWall?

    This will vary by the size, style and location of the home. Here are a number of areas where TallWall can reduce your costs and construction time.

    • Fewer joints make it easier to meet energy codes
    • No lumber for blocking to buy and install – Material and labor savings!
    • No panels to cut and install as filler strips – Labor savings!
    • Less waste – Less cutting and less chance of errors means savings!
    • Flatter, stronger, stiffer and straighter walls – Fewer call backs mean savings!
    • No blocking means wall cavities are fully open and allow full insulation to be installed – Trades work faster and more efficiently!

    Top

    Where can I buy TallWall

    TallWall is available from your local building supply dealer. Ask for it by name. If your dealer or design professional requires assistance, have them contact us directly or advise us and we will contact them.
    Top

    Are there special requirements for a stucco exterior finish?

    If Stucco is the exterior finish siding please refer to the APA (The Engineered Wood Assoc) Q370 for structural sheathing thickness and grade recommendations. You should also refer to applicable local building codes for proper stucco installation over OSB or plywood sheathing.
    Top

  • Installation
    West Fraser structural panels are to be installed according to the APA’s (The Engineered Wood Association) Construction Guide E30 (downloadable PDF available in APA Publications. Below are some key installation points.

    1. All panels must be spaced 1/8″ apart along all edges.
    2. Be sure all studs are even, square and level before installing any wall sheathing.
    3. All panels should be continuous over two or more spans.
    4. Installing TallWall panels to overlap the joist area and the top plates significantly increases wall Capacity, Stiffness and Displacement*. Use 4×9’s* with 8′ walls and 4×10’s* with 9′ walls.
    5. Provide 3/4″ expansion joints for every continuous section of panels exceeding 80 feet in length.
    6. Fastener spacing**(minimum typical spacing is 6″ o.c. along edges and 12″ o.c. in the field but local and high wind requirements must be followed).
    7. Fasteners are to be 3/8″ in from edges and corners.
    8. Check for “shiners and refasten or add additional fasteners.
    9. Prior to application, acclimatization of panels to surroundings for at least 24 hours is recommended.
    10. When applicable, span ratings, durability and mill identification is included in the grade stamp applied to every panel.
    11. Add Strength to your walls by cutting the sheathing around windows and doors instead of the cut and paste method. This also reduces the number of joints and air-leakage.
    12. TallWall is for wall application only.
    13. TallWall can be used with up to 24″ raised heel (energy trusses) to eliminate blocking and in some cases hurricane clips.
    14. If Stucco is the exterior finish siding please refer to the APA (The Engineered Wood Assoc) Q370 for structural sheathing thickness and grade recommendations. You should also refer to applicable local building codes for proper stucco installation over OSB or plywood sheathing.

    *Sized for spacing
    **Consult your local building codes for local requirements and specifications and the APA Construction Guide E30

    How to build energy efficient houses with TallWall Wall Sheathing

    Prevent Buckling with Proper Spacing

    TallWall® is engineered specifically to be used for wall applications and is not to be used for roof or floor sheathing.

    Try our free online tool, Onsite. Great while on the jobsite or training new employees, Onsite has lots of videos and information, plus it focuses on the 3 most common mistakes made when installing OSB. There are videos for Sub-Floor, Wall and Roof applications plus a Trouble Shooting section. The online tool is a guide only. Always consult the local building codes, design professional’s specifications or the APA’s E30 for details that may apply to your application.

    Visit the resources page for more information on product documents, forest certification, APA publications, seminars & trade shows.

Is installing Windstorm horizontally a good idea?

Thinking about installing your Windstorm panels horizontally? Is it even possible? You best check in with the Ol' Sage Builder before starting that project, he'll set you right!

Does OSB emit Volatile Organic Compounds?

We recently received a message from one of our readers, and the Ol Sage thought he would pass it along as it is important to be concerned about Volatile Organic Compounds.

THANK A FRAMER

Join our national salute to America's framers. Click here to watch the video.

How-to videos

Check out our helpful DIY videos and learn a variety of installation tips and tricks that will make you the best builder on the site.

All Product documents

Looking for a warranty form, safety sheet, or perhaps even a promotional brochure? Find them all here!