exterior-wall-sheathing

Using exterior-wall-sheathing made of chip-board, the walls are built while lying on the ground. The chipboard is attached to the exterior wall as it is being constructed and provides an outside initial covering for your home. It is this covering that your siding will be attached to.

While sheathing the exterior walls, the walls are lying down, and the chip-board is nailed to every stud in several places. Then the exterior walls and wall sheathing are lifted into place, section by section. This house exterior sheathing has to be secured with bracing in case of sudden gusts of wind once it is put into an upright position.

The first wall goes up

I have heard of more than one new construction home being destroyed by a strong wind, before it had the roof trusses put on it.

The picture above shows the first wall that was being erected on our house. Notice that windows are framed in but not cut out of the house exterior sheathing yet.

Interior walls are added which do add additional bracing for the exterior walls, but until you get your roof trusses on to hold the ouside walls secure, the whole thing could blow away in a nasty wind if it isn't properly braced.

Inside wall bracing

Notice the bracing which forms a triangle to the floor. It doesn't seem like much, but it can make all the difference if, and when, a gust of wind hits the walls.

Outside sheathing in place

The window openings have still been left covered, and the framed walls are ready to have the trusses put on. Notice the corner of the house has a small area left uncovered. That is for electrical cords to run to the temporary electrical hook-up. The front entry is also left uncovered.

Building your own home as owner/contractor

exterior-wall-sheathing
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