Materials Required for Sheathing a Garage

Common Methods

• The most common method of sheathing exterior walls and roofs, such as those of a garage, involves using plywood or oriented strand board, also referred to as OSB. Both materials come in standard sizes, usually 4-by-8 panels, although you also can obtain 4-by-9 and 4-by-10 sizes. Generally the thicker the panel the better, so you may want to obtain the 1/2-inch thick size rather than a thinner size, such as 5/16-inch thick.

Gypsum and Rigid

• Other types of sheathing for garages include gypsum exterior sheathing and rigid foam panels. Gypsum exterior panels, made from the same basic material as drywall, have been specially designed for use as exterior sheathing capable of providing a base for attaching the finishing material, such as wood or vinyl. Another material, rigid foam panels, may be used as insulation for other sheathing or as the primary sheathing material. Rigid foam panels need special bracing when used as the sole sheathing component.

Housewrap

• Housewrap, the name for a variety of water-resistant materials that you apply to sheathing to prevent moisture damage, provides a good way to protect any garage where excessive moisture is a concern, according to the HomeTime website. When installing housewrap over garage sheathing, let the sections overlap and tape all the seams. You also should wrap over any door or window openings, cut the housewrap diagonally and staple it to the inside of the opening.

Fasteners

• Sheathing is typically attached with 6d galvanized nails, although in some cases using staples is possible. Not all building codes allow for the use of staples, so check local guidelines before starting any work. Local codes also may specify the exact distance required between each nail or staple. In some instances, such as roof sheathing, larger metal fasteners, called h-clips, can add support and strength to the nails or staples.