Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 04, 2024 2:19 pm Hi all, I'm really hoping for some expert advice on sheathing. We are building a new home, it's a timber frame home on slab with brick veneer to the lower level. We are building on a slope so there is a core filled block retaining wall at the rear of our house. There is a cavity between the retaining wall and the timber frame and the brick veneer will close off the space to the underside of the upper floor. However I've noticed there is 1) no house wrap around the frame at the rear of my house and 2) there is no external sheathing on the frame either. When I asked the builder he wasn't sure if the house would be sheathed and wrapped or even insulated as there is nothing to stop the bats falling out and into the cavity. Below is a photo. Again, there will be a brick leaf on top of the retaining wall so it won't be exposed to the elements per se. However it doesn't make sense to me, especially given it will impact our ability to add and secure in place any insulation. I imagine the thermal bridging effect will be significant if the only thing coving the cavity is some plasterboard. Is this normal for a brick veneer home, or a basement? Does this even meet code? I image if moisture was present it could contribute to a deterioration of the building elements. Confused newbie. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: HELP! External Sheathing on a timber frame. Builder unsu 4Mar 04, 2024 4:39 pm Good to have, but it is not really mandatory, from what I know. You have waterproof retaining wall in front, so should be fine. I am only worried about this section above the wall which certainly has to be covered somehow. Re: HELP! External Sheathing on a timber frame. Builder unsu 5Mar 04, 2024 7:41 pm alexp79 Good to have, but it is not really mandatory, from what I know. You have waterproof retaining wall in front, so should be fine. I am only worried about this section above the wall which certainly has to be covered somehow. Thanks Alex, there will be single leaf of bricks from the top of the retaining wall to the floor above so the space will effectively be closed off from external elements. I thought there should at least be some house wrap if not sheathing as well. Re: HELP! External Sheathing on a timber frame. Builder unsu 6Mar 05, 2024 8:06 pm Sheathing is a US term, they sheath their houses in plywood, we only use sections of ply for bracing. No requirement for reflective foil/ membrane here either but you can add one if you like. It is not an external wall assuming the underfloor space is closed off. The insulation can be kept in place by stringing between studs. Re: HELP! External Sheathing on a timber frame. Builder unsu 7Mar 06, 2024 1:17 pm Pulse Sheathing is a US term, they sheath their houses in plywood, we only use sections of ply for bracing. No requirement for reflective foil/ membrane here either but you can add one if you like. It is not an external wall assuming the underfloor space is closed off. The insulation can be kept in place by stringing between studs. Thanks Pulse, thats really helpful and very much appreciated. Also thanks for the pointer on sheathing, thats me watching too many american youtube videos! Thanks for responding. Do you know of anyone installing this product in Sydney? 2 3829 Thank you so much. We ended going with the terrain that’s part of our brick. 2 2802 This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 9754 |