Wind
Sheathing and hardware contribute to shear, lateral and uplift resistance.
Framed Sections
- Structural sheathing is 15/32 in.
- Anchor bolts hold bottom plate to slab.
- Hurricane clips tie wall studs to bottom plate.
- Metal straps tie 2nd-story studs to 1st-story studs.
- Sheathing on interior load-bearing walls.
- Seams in sheathing are backed by studs, sills or special blocking.
- Alignment of studs and rafters in advanced framing section makes hurricane strapping easier and stronger.
- Exterior sheathing panels span the connection between 1st and 2nd stories.
SIPS Section
- Anchor bolts tie bottom plate to slab.
- Hurricane plates and extra fasteners secure wall panels to bottom plate.
ICF Section
- Concrete wall is anchored to slab with rebar.
Water
Layering and taping of housewraps and flashings provide resistance to water and moisture penetration. Paperless drywall with a moisture-resistant core and other water-resistant materials provides extra protection from water damage. Vinyl wallpaper is avoided, so any water that does not drain from the wall can dry to the cooler, dehumidified home interior.
Drainage Planes and Vapor Barriers
- Walls have drains and vents behind bricks and sidings.
- Foil-faced foam board with taped seams provides air barrier, vapor barrier and a drainage plane behind brick veneer and fiber-cement siding.
- Plastic mesh wrap provides drainage space behind fiber-cement siding.
- Crinkled stucco wrap with building paper overlay provides for drainage behind stucco.
A perforated, semipermeable housewrap may be used under sidings that do not leach surfactants—vinyl, metal, fiber-cement.
Nonperforated housewrap is used behind brick or wood. It retains its water repellency when exposed to surfactants that can leach from these materials.
ICF does not need a drainage plane, vapor retarder or air barrier.