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Materials

Sheathing board

Sheathing boards are the large sheets (OSB, plywood, particleboard, gypsum) fixed to a timber or steel frame to close it, brace it and form a surface.

Also known as sheathing, sheet material, OSB, plywood sheathing, gypsum board, plasterboard, particleboard

Structural sheathing such as OSB or plywood is fixed to a wall frame to stop it racking sideways under wind load, turning a flexible frame into a stiff diaphragm. Gypsum board adds fire resistance and forms the interior surface, and wind-barrier boards protect the outside face.

The boards are only as effective as their fixing: nail or staple spacing, edge distances and board joints landing on studs are all set by the structural design. Full-size boards are also heavy and awkward, which makes handling them a common source of strain.

Related terms
Wall panelA wall panel is a prefabricated section of wall: a timber or steel frame, often already fitted with sheathing, insulation, windows and services. It is built in a factory and assembled on site. Nailing bridgeA nailing bridge is a gantry that travels over a wall panel and drives the nails fixing sheathing boards to the frame automatically. Tongue and grooveTongue and groove is an edge profile where a ridge on one board fits into a slot on the next, locking boards together into a continuous surface.
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