Any quality builders or contractors out there? What is your opinion of Energy Brace Sheathing vs. OSB or plywood? We discovered in 2006 that our home has no exterior plywood, it simply has "EBS" stapled up over the studs and then vinyl siding is nailed on to the house. Is this standard building industry practice? Years ago homes were built with exterior plywood (5/8 or 3/4" thick), then they went to OSB, now I see some homes being built with what is basically cardboard(??) which is 1/8" thick!!
Does this EBS need anyother layer on top of it like Tyvek or is that it? All that between us and the outside is 1/8" thick carboard, vunyl siding, a coupe inches of insulation and drywall?
Also, I noticed (since the siding was removed) that there is NO energy brace covering the wood plate (beam) that runs bewteen the 1st and 2nd floor. Is this acceptable?
It is called optimum value engineering. Instead of covering the outside of the house with plywood, you brace the walls with boards diagonally at 45 to 60 degrees. Then you cover the outside with rigid foam board. It is a less expensive way to build a house. Unless you are in a high wind region, the walls are more than strong enough if properly braced.
There are a number of other techniques that also go along with such building technique. I’ll bet you also have less wood and more insulation around the windows, and lower heating or cooling bills. It is essentially the greenest type of building.
Either that or you are the latest victim of construction fraud of some company that shouldn’t be in business. If you are concerned about your house falling apart, I suggest you hire a building inspector.
That’s the way it is now.I still sheet my additions with 1/2 plywood.I like the way the siding nails penetrate the plywood.I wrap the plywood in Tyvek and then install the siding.Plywood is getting expensive,but I prefer quality and no call backs to making an extra buck.
References :
master carpenter 30 years
It is called optimum value engineering. Instead of covering the outside of the house with plywood, you brace the walls with boards diagonally at 45 to 60 degrees. Then you cover the outside with rigid foam board. It is a less expensive way to build a house. Unless you are in a high wind region, the walls are more than strong enough if properly braced.
There are a number of other techniques that also go along with such building technique. I’ll bet you also have less wood and more insulation around the windows, and lower heating or cooling bills. It is essentially the greenest type of building.
Either that or you are the latest victim of construction fraud of some company that shouldn’t be in business. If you are concerned about your house falling apart, I suggest you hire a building inspector.
References :