Does wall sheathing go horizontal or vertical?

On roofs and floors, sheathing is installed perpendicular to supports because this is the orientation that results in the strongest roof or floor. Wind loads perpendicular to a wall are similar to floor and roof loads, and installing sheathing horizontally makes walls better at resisting wind pressure.

Can sheathing be vertical?

In some parts of the US or Canada wall sheathing is either installed vertically or horizontally and often it comes down to just a regional preference.

Can OSB be used horizontally?

Weyerhaeuser OSB sheathing panels meet all building code wall sheathing requirements for bending and racking strength without let-in bracing. Sheathing panels may be used vertically or horizontally as wall sheathing over studs at 24″ o.c. maximum.

What direction does plywood go on a roof?

If used for floor or roof sheathing, where the primary purpose is to carry loads perpendicular to the face of the sheets, then it must be placed with the long direction of the sheets perpendicular to the supporting joists or rafters.

Can you install zip sheathing vertically?

Install ZIP System® sheathing panels positioned with the water-resistive barrier facing towards the exterior. The panels may be installed with the long side of the panel oriented either horizontally or vertically to the framing members.

Does the orientation of plywood matter?

Wood is strongest in the direction parallel to grain. Because of this, the strength and stiffness properties of wood structural panels are greater in the direction parallel to the strength axis than perpendicular to it (see Figure 1).

Which direction is OSB stronger?

Using OSB Safely When installing in vertical applications such as wall sheathing, you’ll want to orient the smooth or stamped side facing out. The smooth side has a better moisture resistance and will ultimately provide better performance against weather.

Which way do you install OSB?

OSB roof panels should always be installed with the grade stamp facing into the attic and the screened surface (with the nail guide lines) facing up. When the grade stamp is covered by roofing, the building inspector will not be able to confirm that the correct OSB roofing panel was used.

Is plywood strong in both directions?

Does it matter which side of OSB goes down?

Does it matter which way you run plywood?

Ply should always be laid with the grain running across the joists, not along the joist, to maximise the strength. Laying them length ways down a joist will cause them to crack along the grain which could end up in serious injury and or damage. The smaller the gap between joists the stronger the board will be.

Should OSB be installed vertically or horizontally?

After much research on the matter – as it impacts tiny houses – I’ve landed on a rule-of-thumb to follow: If the height of a wall is less than 8-feet, install the plywood (or OSB) vertically. If the height of a wall is greater then 8-feet, install the plywood (or OSB) horizontally.