Plywood framing or that insulation type stuff?

[monminkellan]

Hi!

We just had our first home built! How exciting! Our home has plywood framing on all the corners and some areas of the home and then this insulation type stuff (it's a light blue) on the majority of the house. The garage has the same type of insulation type board but it is black. Could someone tell me if this is a cheaper way of building, the mainstream, or what. A friend of mine is having a house built right now. Her entire house has the black type board instead of plywood. She doesn't even have plywood on the corners (which I'm assuming is important because all houses I see have plywood at least on the corners of the house). I told her I'd check out if this is a good deal, or a cheaper, but still safe way, or totally not a good idea. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or advice! Thanks so much!

[Rich]

The black type board on the garage is probably homasote or similar product. It's essentially an insulating sheet good. It does provide structural stability to the framing also. It is a little cheaper and is pretty standard now a days.. at least here in Colorado. The blue stuff is pretty much the same thing - just more insulating value.
I'm assuming it will be inspected by the building department so they'll either pass it or they won't. Could you find out what the material name is?

[mjpliv]

Is the plywood on your corners narrow strips (6-8") or full sheets?

[monminkellan]

Hi, thanks so much for the quick replies! Yes, I'm in Colorado as well. The strips of plywood on our house in the corners are full sheets. Much wider than 6-8". As for the black board, the outside says "Temple". Does that mean anything to you. It had some other writing on it, but I can't remember. I can find out and let you know? Is it important to have at least plywood on the corners though? My friends whole house is done in this black board stuff. Thanks so much for the reply's!!!

[Rich]

I would suggest having the plywood on all the corners - but that's just my personal opinion. I don't think it's a requirement by Colorado codes unless the wind index is way up there.

[monminkellan]

How come they usually do plywood on corners? As for the wind, yes, where she is it is quite windy! I know nothing of construction, but I just thought it odd that the stuff I have in my garage is used for her whole house. She is quite concerned as well. In my neighborhood there are several builders, some of whom use plywood for the whole house and some who use the plywood and blue insulation stuff (as my house was built), but I'd never seen a whole house framed in the black stuff. If you could tell me the downfalls of this I would really appreciate it! I don't know if there is anything my friend will do, but she really wanted to know the downfalls of a whole house in the black stuff! Thanks again!

[mjpliv]

The sheet the corners with plywood because they provide lateral (torsional) stability to the house. If they doe not use it there should be metal bracing or lumber bracing let into the studs.

[Tom R]

I live in Jersey, but around here it's code to have 'structural' sheathing on at least the corners. Whatever that black board is, I very much doubt if it qualifies as 'structural'. I would be concerned whether it's code around there or not. It's called good building practice.

[doyle]

Probably what was used was Temple-Inland's Fiber Brace board. Their website has a bunch of Q&A's about the product and they say it's fine for use on the whole structure, even windy areas.

http://www.temple-test.com/fiberboard/fbfaq.html

I've seen houses here in Georgia and in Virginia built with solid exterior Homasote (or similar). It's not how I would want MY house built, though.

[Rich]

I agree with you there doyle.. I wouldn't want mine tbuilt with it either.

[monminkellan]

Thank you guys so much for the info and the web site. That sounds like what it is, the Temple stuff. I'm not sure what my friend can do about it except maybe not purchase it. If that is how they build them all I doubt they would change for her. I think I'll check out that website and see what it has to say! I do have another question, but not about the framing end of a house. Our house is about 6 months old and we have three cracks in the concrete flooring of our basement. Actually two on the floor and one on the wall. They are about three feet long. Is this worrisome at all?

[doyle]

Hairline cracks are going to be a normal condition. Keep your eye on them to see if they are getting any wider. If it goes from being able to stick a pencil lead in the crack to being able to stick the whole pencil in there, start worrying.

[monminkellan]

O.K. yea, they aren't super wide at all. Thanks so much for all the info! What a great website!!! I'll pass on all the knowledge to my friend! Thanks again!

[Rich]

Like I always say "It's not if concrete is going to crack - it's when and how bad" :)