Should I Add Wall Sheathing?

Wall Sheathing

• Wall sheathing constitutes a layer of material added to the frame of a house upon completion of the frame. Sheathing generally only applies to wood-framed buildings, and assumes the form of large boards or panels. Various types of sheathing exist, including plywood, reconstituted wood, fiberboard, foil-laminated paperboard, gypsum and foam insulation boards. Technically speaking, however, you can use any material you want as sheathing. You can purchase traditional sheathing materials individually or in bulk at hardware stores and online.

Energy Efficiency

• Wall sheathing increases the energy efficiency of homes if installed correctly. Sheathing applied to a frame without any gaps between panels or boards prevents air generated from heating and cooling systems from leaking from the home. Proper installation also prevents hot or cold air from leaking into the home from the outside. Air leakage prevention keeps heating and cooling costs down, lowering home carbon emissions while saving you money. Install sheathing correctly by overlapping or precisely joining the sides and corners of boards or panels. Wrapping sheathing in home wrap or other heavy paper helps reinforce energy efficiency.

Structural Considerations

• Strong, durable wall sheathing provides structural benefits to a home. Properly installed sheathing relieves the stress of weight and forces like wind from the frame of a building, directing this stress to the foundation. Wall sheathing also provides an anchor for siding material. If you use a durable enough sheathing, you may not even need siding. In addition to providing energy efficiency by preventing air leakage, sheathing helps prevent things like mold spores and allergens from entering the home from the outside.

Adding Wall Sheathing

• Nearly all sources strongly recommend the use of wall sheathing. A pamphlet supported by the government of Arizona touts how drastically sheathing improves energy efficiency, while books like “Structural Wood Design” stress the material’s importance in architectural terms. However, if you plan on installing sheathing, do it properly. Never use weak or suspect materials and always hire experienced and recommended workers for the job. Improperly installed sheathing provides few benefits and may cost you a great deal of money, if it comes down to taking it all off and installing new sheathing.

No Sheathing Necessary

• Small structures like sheds usually don't need sheathing. The same holds true for barns without animals that need warmth. In many cases, the exterior walls of these buildings are technically sheathing, because they possess only one layer of material over the frame.