How thick should exterior plywood sheathing be?

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.

What is the minimum thickness of wall sheathing?

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that 7/16-inch sheathing is the minimum appropriate thickness for structural wall sheathing with an exception for gable end walls, where the minimum thickness is 3/8 inch.

What is the most common thickness of exterior sheathing?

For covering existing siding, 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch thicknesses are commonly used. Standard panels are 2 by 8, 4 by 8, and 4 by 9 feet, although some can be purchased in fan-folded panels that run up to 50 feet long.

Can I use 7/16 OSB for wall sheathing?

The 24/16 rating of 7/16″ OSB will pass code for any standard construction (walls &roof). You don’t need to worry about that.

Can you use 3/8 plywood wall sheathing?

What is code for exterior wall sheathing?

1304.13 EXTERIOR WALL SHEATHING. (a) Wooden structural sheathing panels shall be installed on all exterior frame walls.

What type of sheathing is used for exterior walls?

There are many exterior wall sheathing options available, with wood sheathing being one of the most commonly used materials. Wood sheathing materials include plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and waferboard. Plywood is made of whole sheets of wood that are cross-laminated.

What insulation is required for exterior walls?

Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces. See the Department of Energy’s (DOE) ranges for recommended levels of insulation below.

How thick is 3/4 plywood Really?

21/32″ thick
The actual thickness of plywood varies and is usually different than the nominal thickness shown at the lumber yard. 3/4″ plywood is actually 21/32″ thick.

How thick is external wall insulation?

between 50 and 100mm
The thickness of the insulation needs to be between 50 and 100mm and is usually installed where there are severe heating problems or the exterior of the building requires some form of other repair work providing the opportunity of adding insulation.

Can you put r19 insulation in a 2×4 wall?

When you are insulating two-by-four (2×4) and two-by-six (2×6) framed exterior walls and want to use fiberglass insulation, what thickness is best?…Insulation for 2×6 Walls.

Best Insulation for 2×4 and 2×6 Wall Studs
R-19	6 1/4 Inches (+/-)	Two-by-six (2×6) stud walls
R-21	5 1/2 Inches (+/-)	Two-by-six (2×6) stud walls