Final answer:
The most common sheathings in residential construction are plywood, OSB, gypsum, and fiber cement, chosen for their benefits like cost-efficiency, strength, and durability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common sheathings used in residential construction are plywood, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), gypsum, and fiber cement.
- Plywood is a traditional sheathing material made by gluing together several thin layers of wood veneers. Its cross-graining provides strength and resistance to shrinking, swelling, and warping.
- OSB is made from wood strands bonded together with adhesives. It's known for being strong, durable, and cost-effective.
- Gypsum sheathing is a type of drywall used primarily as a protective layer for walls.
- Fiber Cement sheathing is composed of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. It is extremely durable, resistant to fire, and has good dimensional stability.
Each type of sheathing has specific benefits and is chosen based on the needs of the project, considering factors such as cost, durability, and resistance to the elements.