[The G Man]

I'd really appreciate some FReeper construction input here. Due to rising plywood prices, my builder is using "Thermo Ply" on my house for sheathing. I'm not real familiar with it and would appreciate any expert feedback.

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Fawnn

[Petronski]

I think you are being made the guinea pig, and I would pony up the cash to get at least OSB (which is also pretty weak IMHO).

[Gabz]

Hey FRiend, can you help out here at all?

I've never heard of this stuff.....but I sure do know the cost of plywood has put a great deal of our remodelling on hold.

The local buidling suppliers and lumber yards had all been hoping the price would start coming down come spring.....so far no luck.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I wouldn't know why this product wouldn't work...plywood does add rigidity to 2 X 6 framing so blocking (horizontal stiffining with 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 scrap between 16 inch centers) might be a useful step.

[wjcsux]

The cost of plywood and all lumber has gone through the roof! My brother (a builder in AZ) went to metal studs a few years back. He is getting away from wood whenever he can.

[The G Man]

BUMP!

[avg_freeper]

The last house in our subdivision in Hiram Georgia is going up with sheets of some kind of silvery material instead of plywood. I wondered what it was. I too would be interested in seeing a comparison between this material and plywood.

[Texan5]

I have seen this stuff used-Tyvey house wrap is the most often seen one here. Some people are even using it over rafters with blocking instead of a plywood roof deck when installing a light gauge metal roof-personally, that application scares me-I have seen it fail twice in high wind. Basically it is a reflective skin with some kind of foam behind it-it seems to work so far, but I'm afraid to use it-I didn't even use any on my own recently built house, although it really would have dropped the cost. Since it is a relatively new application, I wonder if it will still be intact ten years or so after installation. It should work, but be sure and read your home warranty carefully to be sure it is addressed. Some people here are building styrofoam houses, too, then putting rock/brick/stucco veneer on them too. "I'll huff, and I'll puff, and..."

[AngryJawa]

It ain't just plywood. MDF and particle board, once the cheap alternatives to plywood, are shooting up even faster.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Build with Cob. Two-foot thick walls will give you a house that will last 1000 years, which has been proven in Wales. Plus, properly oriented to sun and shade, the thermal mass will eliminate the need for HVAC. And the building material is free in most cases.

[tort_feasor]

I use to work at 84 Lumber and Home Depot.

The product you are asking about is rated as a sheathing. However if you are using vinyl siding on your house, if a thief brings a utility knife he can cut the siding, cut the sheathing and the insulation and be in your home in minutes. I was told this by the store manager at 84 Lumber who had 20 + years experience that this has actually happened. At least on the ground floor use 1/2 (7/16)" OSB.

[Fletcher J]

I'm not an expert, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night... :)

In addition, my father is a carpenter, and I've built several houses with him, including my own. I'm not an engineer or carpenter, so I don't want to over-sell my advice...

Based on the specs at the link you provided, this looks like a description of OSB (Oriented Sliver Board) to me. It never actually says they use wood, however. Maybe I've missed something.

Anyhow, if your wall studs and roof trusses are on 16 inch centers, this product appears to be fine. Make sure they use the Structural grade of the product. In addition, specify that they use plywood clips at the joints of the board between the roof trusses. This will help prevent sagging between the joists down the road, and the clips cost very little.

Fletcher J

[Hanging Chad]

thermoply good
plywood bad
can not buy ply-tanium
priced like ply-atinum

[taxed2death]

You can make up the difference in high cost plywood, by having your home built with steel frame construction. Your homeowners insurance will cost less too.

[wolicy_ponk]

Hey G man,

I am a contractor here in TN,

I would not even consider using this 1/8" thick (cardboard) product as sheathing. period.
That's just my opinion.

Here's a story about it.

Wall sheathing creates headaches for builder, homeowners

[Arthalion]

At least it isn't cardboard. I ripped out some of the sheetrock in my garage last weekend to run some pipes and wires, and discovered that my house (built in 1996) is sheathed in CARDBOARD (you know...just like boxes). The construction technique was apparently cardboard+moisture barrier+chickenwire+stucco. It's hard to believe that I paid $240,000 for this thing.

[stainlessbanner]

Plywood Prices Approach All-Time High

1. Iraq Rebuild
2. Tarriffs
3. Weather (Fires, Hurricanes)
4. Low Int. Rates
5. Shortage of Workers - some stories on FR re: hiring illegals, lawsuits, and lumber plant closings.