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Shop Class


Shop Class

Trusted solutions for common construction details.

How-To

Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Fastening

In this episode of Shop Class, builder Ben Bogie shares tips for laying out and securely nailing wall sheathing.

By Ben Bogie

Sponsored by ZIP System

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Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Fastening
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    When framing is done and you’re ready to install ZIP System sheathing on a house, you should first snap a level line on each wall to ensure your first course of panels is straight. Start by holding the corner of each sheet up to the line and setting one nail, and then lift the rest of the panel until it’s lined up and continue nailing.

    ZIP System sheathing has marks printed on the surface representing common stud layouts to make nailing in the right locations easier, but be sure to check your plans or local building codes to make sure there aren’t special nailing requirements that differ from this layout.

    When fastening the sheathing, flush nailing is ideal. If you overdrive your nails, you may have to increase the number of nails to meet shear requirements. Slightly overdriving nails through the outer water-resistive coating doesn’t require you do do anything from a weatherproofing perspective, but you will need to apply patches of ZIP System flashing tape or Liquid Flash over fasteners that penetrate more than 50% through the panel.

    ZIP System sheathing has a built-in ridge on the long sides of the panels to create a necessary expansion gap, but you will have to leave an actual 1/8-in. gap where the short ends of the panels meet or where you’ve cut any panels to size.

     

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    Videos in the Series

    • Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Fastening

      In this episode of Shop Class, builder Ben Bogie shares tips for laying out and securely nailing wall sheathing.

    • Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Taping Seams and Corners

      Learn some best practices for getting a good bond and consistent coverage when sealing seams with ZIP System flashing tape.

    • Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Sheathing-to-Foundation Connection

      Builder Ben Bogie presents three methods for making an airtight connection at the bottom of your walls using sealants or tapes that will adhere to concrete.

    • Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Sealing Penetrations

      In this Shop Class video, Ben Bogie demonstrates 3 easy ways to seal around pipes and wires using ZIP System flashing tape, stretch tape, and liquid-applied flashing.

    • Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Rough Openings With Flashing Tape

      See how to use a combination of ZIP System stretch tape and regular flashing tape to make window and door penetrations waterproof and airtight.

    • Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Rough Openings With Liquid-Applied Flashing

      In this Shop Class video, learn tips for applying ZIP System Liquid Flash to provide a continuous seal around window and door openings.

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    About This Video Series

    Watch Ben Bogie, residential builder and production manager from Portland, Maine, as he walks us through all the steps necessary to install ZIP System wall sheathing on a home. Zip System is a sheathing-panel system where the air-control layer and water-resistive barrier are integrated as a factory-applied coating on the outside of the panels. Seams and penetrations are sealed with specially made ZIP System flashing tape or fluid-applied flashing membrane to create a weathertight assembly. The installation… More about this Video Series

    View Comments

    1. user-7509431 | Nov 18, 2020 12:17am | #1

      Can you use the zip system and apply a wire mesh and stucco over that ?

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