How To Attach Exterior Plywood to a Framed Wall
Provide extra structural strength and insulation for a home by covering exterior wall frames with wood sheathing. In general, plywood sheathing does not insulate as well as foam board, but it is much sturdier and can provide additional stability and security. Because it is also relatively inexpensive and easy to attach, exterior plywood is an excellent choice for covering framed walls in most residential construction projects. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Plywood sheathing (OSD/OSB or CDX)
- Hammer or nail gun
- Galvanized nails (6d or 8d)
- Saw (circular, reciprocating or hand)
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose plywood. CDX plywood is made of many thin layers of wood glued together, while OSB/OSD plywood is made of wood chips held together by a permeating glue. CDX plywood tends to be stronger, heavier and somewhat more expensive, while OSB/OSD resists moisture better (due to the glue). Both are generally acceptable for use as exterior sheathing on framed walls, so your choice may come down to local building codes, price and availability or personal preference. Be sure to buy plywood labeled for use as wall sheathing and at least 5/16-inch thick.
-
2
Place sheet vertically. Start at a corner and place a plywood sheet against the wall frame. With a four-foot width, the sheet should line up with its outside edges on two studs in the wall frame, whether the studs are 16 or 24 inches apart.
-
-
3
Nail edges. Use a hammer or nail gun to drive nails through the plywood and into the studs underneath each edge. Place nails roughly every six inches.
-
4
Nail middle. Drive nails through the plywood and into the stud(s) underneath its middle. Place nails roughly every 12 inches.
-
5
Place next sheet. Based on the design of your wall, place another sheet of plywood against the wall frame adjacent to or above the first. Leave a gap of 1/16 to 1/8 inch to allow for slight warping and shifting of the plywood over time. Repeat Steps 2 to 4 to secure the plywood sheet to the exterior wall frame.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use a circular saw or hand saw to trim plywood sheets to fit your wall frame, especially at the end of a row of sheets or in corners.
Cut plywood sheets to allow for door and window openings before attaching them to the wall frames; alternatively, it may be easier to attach full sheets and then cut out the openings once everything is in place.
Check local building codes and other regulations that may govern the materials and methods you can use when sheathing exterior wall frames.
