I'm considering replacing the old siding on my 40-year-old detached garage in North Carolina, but I'm unsure if I need to add exterior sheathing while everything is opened up. The current setup has the siding directly attached to the studs, with faced insulation and a plastic sheet on the interior. It's been holding up fine for decades without sheathing, but I'm weighing the benefits of adding it for improved longevity. What do you all think?
2 Answers
You might not need sheathing if your garage has proper diagonal bracing in the framing. Many older garages had this built-in to resist shear forces. If that's the case, you can pretty much side it however you want without adding sheathing.
It really depends on what type of siding you're planning to use. If you're thinking about T1-11, that's solid since it acts like sheathing itself. But I've seen buildings where they just put steel siding right on the structure without any sheathing, so it can vary a lot!
Absolutely right! Diagonal bracing is often a 1x4 piece that goes diagonally between the studs, giving extra support, so check for that before you decide.