Sheathing overlaps or flush w/ found’n??
rayman8r
| Posted in General Discussion on
open question to further the long debate…
should the exterior wall sheathing be flush with, or overlap the foundation wall? i.e. do you set the mudsill flush with the outside of the foundation wall, or set it in +/- 1/2″?
i just had this argument (again) with a co-worker… it seems to me that assuming the foundation is gonna come out square enough that i can trust it to align the mudsill with it (assuming i care about the walls being square) is a bit optimistic. sorry… don’t mean to rip on the concrete guys, but it’s a lot easier to square up wood than concrete.
Replies
I don't see any advantage to setting the mudsill back a 1/2" or so from the edge of the concrete. It will only increase the chances of the sheathing wicking water that may collect on the concrete.
As far as using the concrete as a layout line for your framing, you're right: don't do it! ;) It's just not accurate enough.
Edited 11/27/2007 12:55 am ET by Ragnar17
I agree with Ragnar. I don't hold the sill back, but it is necessary to make compensations with the wood where needed.
Whatever it takes to get it square andbuilt to the dimensions on the plan. I can remeber having to hold one frmae in an inch near a corner and I can remmeber hanging over the foundation 2" at one corner
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I will cast my vote to agree with Piffin - whatever works to get the building square and on dimension. Any other course will require plan adjustments all the way to the roof.
If presented with a perfectly square, perfectly dimensioned foundation (like that's really going to happen!) - I would set the sills even with the foundation edge and let the sheathing overhang the foundation to avoid possible water wicking like Ragnar said.
Overhang - not overlap - sheathing does not contact foundation, either at the edge or at the back of the sheet.
Note: This reply is straight from The Politicians Handbook of Noncommittal Answers.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Edited 11/27/2007 8:43 am ET by JTC1