Thread: Dallas Area, exterior sheathing over framing is cardboad?

Hello all, hopefully I am posting in the right section for my question. I have been around home building a little and always have seen OSB board over the framing of a home, then wrapped in moisture barrier. My wife and I have signed on with a builder recently. After going back and a few homes are in the process of being built I walk up for a closer look. I thought from a far the Themoply etc writing was a Tyvek type of moisture barrier over OSB. Upon getting up close its what looks to be 1/8" cardboard all over the homes and no OSB. Is this type of exterior sheathing up to code ? I am trying to locate local building codes and there is a lot of information. Looks as though my county uses the 2006 International Building code book as an amendment. Any local Dallas area inspectors know of the coding for Dallas County ? Thanks.

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Thermoply is not in the International Residential Code (IRC). International Building code is for commercial properties (IBC) and it is not in there either.

Thermoply is an engineered product. If a manufacturer develops a product that is outside the limited scope of the IRC or IBC, they can pay to have an engineer evaluate and approve. It is acceptable. If you have concerns, contact Thermoply directly.

Thermoply is commonly used by national chain builders. Presuming it is nailed in the specific nailing pattern as defined by the manufacturer, it should prevent racking of the house.

Bruce,
Ok, thank you for the reply. I was just concerned if my local building codes state that the sheathing had to be structural or could be non structural. Well you seem to know of this thermo ply, I have a piece and peeled it apart to dissect it, seems to be just cardboard, so where is the thermo barrier in this stuff ?

Note: I see that the red and blue thermo ply is structural and looks pretty good. The one I am referring to is the green non structural stuff.

Thermoply is just a brand name. (They had to call it something more catchy than cardboard) I have never found more than a minimum "R value"
Yes, it is an acceptable product for most areas of Texas.
I don't believe Dallas County has a building code enforcement for residential, the individual city would be the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction). What city?
If in an unincorporated area of the county you fall under the 2009 IRC .
All are pretty close and will likely allow the use of the properly applied Thermoply product. Key with this product is nailing pattern.

Thermo ply approval report: http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/...ESR1122%20.pdf

not a fan, not endorsing, just the facts

good luck with that

Originally Posted by BARRY ADAIR

Thermo ply approval report: http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/...ESR1122%20.pdf

not a fan, not endorsing, just the facts

good luck with that

I skimmed through that information and it looks to me like they misspelled *this is crap material used only by crappy builders* a few times.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I skimmed through that information and it looks to me like they misspelled *this is crap material used only by crappy builders* a few times.

that's a little harsh!
the diy community can pick it up at the nearest muddle supplier

posted the wrong 2008 edition: the current 11/2011 didn't change my opinion
http://www.icc-es.org/reports/pdf_fi...S/ESR-1122.pdf

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I skimmed through that information and it looks to me like they misspelled *this is crap material used only by crappy builders* a few times.

LOL, yeah a little harsh, but the stuff doesn't do much if anything toward contributing to the structural integrity of the framing or insulation value. Better than paper but not by much.

Still, your home won't fall down because of it. As long as the builder does proper insulation and vapor barrier, your home should be fine.

As with all ICC ESR reports, you need to make sure the product is installed and used in accordance with the "CONDITIONS OF USE" section of the ESR report. It is always best to go to the ICC website (ICC Evaluation Service, LLC (ICC-ES)) directly to get the reports as there are some copies out there that are not official. The one referenced above the first time by Barry has cross-outs which is a sign of a report in transition that has not been fully approved. For the most current official copy see: http://www.icc-es.org/reports/pdf_fi...S/ESR-1122.pdf

Originally Posted by Thom Huggett

As with all ICC ESR reports, you need to make sure the product is installed and used in accordance with the "CONDITIONS OF USE" section of the ESR report.

I like this one when I read the crossed out and underlined one, same wording is in the one you linked to:
"5.5 Walls sheathed with Thermo Ply® sheathing must not be used to resist horizontal loads from concrete or masonry walls."

Who in their right mind (or even their left mind ) would use any frame wall to resist the horizontal load from a concrete or masonry wall? The concrete or masonry wall would be used to resist the loads from the frame wall.

You would also have to know the wind area in the code that Dallas is in. For example, in certain areas OSB and/or plywood may be required at the corners. Aditionally, cross bracing of certain walls may be required.

John, you mention that the entire sheathing is the standard grade green. From the manufacturer's own web page, corner bracing should be installed:

Standard Grade~Green, .078”

1. An approved corner bracing is required
when installed on standard wood framing
up to 24” o.c. Thermo-ply is attached
to the framing with 1

1/4” galvanized roofing
nails, 16 gauge 7/16” crown x 11/4” leg
staples or 1” crown x 11/4” leg staples
spaced 6” o.c. on all panel edges and
12” o.c. on intermediate supports.
2. All joints shall occur over studs, plates
or solid blocking. Joints may be lapped
or butted. Butt joints shall be gapped

1

/16” minimum.
3. Cut or trim with saw, knife or router.
4. Thermo-ply shall not be used as a nail

base.