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The wiseguys who built my house in 1906 decided it didn’t need any sheathing. Instead, they just nailed siding directly to the studs. It’s a kind of shiplap bevel, which has since been covered with sidewall shakes. Trouble is that since it’s been gutted and since a bearing wall down the middle was removed, the second story (totally inside the gable of our 12/12 roof) sways when you walk around upstairs. Spooky, especially during our recent earthquakes in the Seattle area.
I know the drywall will help, but I don’t want to rely on that. One guy tells me I can stiffen it up by nailing diagonal 1-inch steel straps in both direction on every wall. I like that for ease, but I’m skeptical about its effectiveness. Anybody have any suggestions short of tearing off the siding, sheathing and re-siding?
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The wiseguys who built my house in 1906 decided it didn't need any sheathing. Instead, they just nailed siding directly to the studs. It's a kind of shiplap bevel, which has since been covered with sidewall shakes. Trouble is that since it's been gutted and since a bearing wall down the middle was removed, the second story (totally inside the gable of our 12/12 roof) sways when you walk around upstairs. Spooky, especially during our recent earthquakes in the Seattle area.
I know the drywall will help, but I don't want to rely on that. One guy tells me I can stiffen it up by nailing diagonal 1-inch steel straps in both direction on every wall. I like that for ease, but I'm skeptical about its effectiveness. Anybody have any suggestions short of tearing off the siding, sheathing and re-siding?