I’m building a small silo-like office addition. The wall has a radius of 4′. I’m curious about the comparative advantages and strength of alternative approaches. I can put a whole lot of kerfs in thicker material vs. multiple layers of thinner material. Your thoughts on the best or strongest approach?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Tips for protecting your personal information when using Wi-Fi-connected devices.
Featured Video
Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With ViewrailHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I would go with multiple layers of thinner material, maybe with construction adhesive between plies. Something like 2-3 layers of 1/4" plywood lapping the joints about 48"or 32" and glued would be pretty tough.
Layer up 1/4" plywood with
Layer up 1/4" plywood with glue between
Llaves
If you layer up the 1/4", stagger all the seams.
There is bendable plywood, both long side and short. However, I don't know of any available in sheeting grade, have only purchased finished ply. This would be way less labor if you could find seconds or sheeting grade. And, no idea of the structural rating of this method if needed.
thanks for your suggestions
checking at the big box stores as well as ProBuild, there is no sheathing grade 1/4" ply - only A/C sanded pine, which I'm not sure is structural grade. It's also very expensive compared to sheathing products.
I've seen the bending ply used on curved surfaces for furniture making and the like, but never for walls. It's quite expensive and I have no way to check if it's structural.
The salesman at ProBuild pointed me to ThermoPly Plus. The structural grade is only 1/8" thick and is quite flexible - about as flexible as 1/8" tempered masonite. According to the specs, it satisfies corner bracing requirements if stapled at 3" gaps. It's commonly used around NM under stucco on curved walls. The salesman said tempered masonite was also structural, which surprised me. I have found some data on the web that suggests this is right. I've decided to go with the Thermoply. I'm going to furr it out by 1/2" to match the OSB on the flat walls to provide the screwing backing for the galvalume cladding, and fill the spaces with 1/2" XPS.