How to Guide

Wall Construction
ENGINEERED WOOD CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
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FORM NO. B360P
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© 2011 APA – THE ENGINEERED WOOD ASSOCIATION
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WWW.APAWOOD.ORG
48
Siding Fasteners
Hot-dip galvanized nails are
recommended for most sid-
ing applications. For best
performance, stainless steel
or aluminum nails should
be considered. APA tests
also show that electrically
or mechanically galvanized
steel nails appear satisfac-
tory when plating meets or
exceeds thickness require-
ments of ASTM A641 Class 2
coatings, and is further pro-
tected by yellow chromate
coating. Note that galvanized
fasteners may react under wet
conditions with the natural
extractives of some wood spe-
cies and may cause staining if
left unfinished. Such staining
can be minimized if the sid-
ing is finished in accordance
with APA recommendations,
or if the roof overhang protects the siding from direct exposure to moisture and weathering.
Wood Structural Panel Sheathing as a Nail Base for Siding
The recommendations in Tables 22 and 23 for panel and lap siding apply to siding installed over wood structural panel
sheathing. Unless otherwise indicated in the local building code, nailable sheathing includes:
1. Nominal 1-inch boards with studs 16 or 24 inches o.c.
2. APA RATED SHEATHING panels with roof Span Rating of 24 inches or greater installed with strength axis either
parallel or perpendicular to studs 16 or 24 inches o.c. (except 3-ply plywood panels must be applied with strength axis
across studs when studs are spaced 24 inches o.c.).
3. APA RATED SHEATHING panels with roof Span Rating less than 24 inches installed with strength axis either par-
allel or perpendicular to studs 16 inches o.c. (except plywood panels 3/8 Performance Category or less must be applied
with strength axis across studs).
Lap siding joints, if staggered, and panel siding joints may occur away from studs with wood structural panel sheathing.
Note: In addition to panel edge spacing and the use of straight studs, nailing sequence can also be a factor in maintaining a uniformly flat
appearance of the finished wall. Installation procedure: First, position the panel, maintaining recommended edge spacing, and lightly tack at
each corner. Install the first row of nails at the edge next to the preceding panel from top to bottom. Remove remaining tacking nails. Then nail
the row at the first intermediate stud. Continue by nailing at the second intermediate stud, and finally, at the edge opposite the preceding panel.
Complete the installation by fastening to the top and bottom plates.
1/8" spacing is
recommended at all
edge and end joints
unless otherwise
indicated by panel
manufacturer
Building paper
or other code-recognized
weather-resistive barrier
APA RATED SIDING
panels (nailing as required
for vertical installation)
FIGURE 9
APA STURD-I-WALL (Horizontal Panel Siding Installation)
6" minimum clearance,
siding to grade
Panel siding meets
code requirements
for wall bracing
See Tables 19, 20 and
21 for maximum
stud spacing
Seal panel edges
Battens at 4' or 8' o.c.
to conceal butt joints at
panel ends. Nails through
battens must penetrate
studs at least 1".
2x4 blocking at
horizontal joints