Thanks for this video. I just finished building our house in December of 2022. We decided to go with zip system Green. I too have seen other houses in the area built with the green zip system, and the taping was horrible. Being semi retired I made sure that I did all of the taping myself and Rolled it. What I experienced was when I saw builders use it was they administered the tape poorly and it was not rolled. Kind of defeats the purpose since it requires the rolling to activate the adhesive. The most important take away for me, aside from being just obviously an inferior product. I don’t care what their marketing tells you. Though Both surfaces are treated for water resistance. The edges are not therefore it is inconceivable to me how they do not require taping of the Edges. The edges are the most susceptible to water infiltration and expansion. Once the edges become wet. It’s all over , Any strength is lost, and it just becomes food for roaches or any other insect. I also have my doubts whether the average Framer is going to be very concerned about making sure he hits all of the studs and is stapling at the recommended intervals you have the Siding Trades are they really going to focus on making sure they hit every stud on 16 inch Center? One last thing, whether you were using OSB or zip system. It is very important for you to make sure that your bottom edge is sealed. For this I wanted to make sure the ceiling would be correct so I used Sika brand rubber polymer in a caulk tube and then I just basically worked it into the Bottom edge of the zip sheeting and then down onto my concrete plate area. This stuff sticks to everything even wet concrete! Thanks again ,appreciate your video.

I'm at 22:48 and I've already read the actual APA document instead of a third party write up. Your article misrepresented the APA document. The APA did follow the T-Ply spec.: Tests were conducted using the exact wall configuration that corresponds to the published ultimate unit shear capacity of 885 plf (the second row in Table 3 of TER 1004-01)." That table is included in the APA document, where part of its footnote 1 reads: "spaced a maximum of 3" o.c. at the panel edges and 3" o.c. in the field." I consider the APA a serious institution. I'm surprised anybody would assume that the APA made such a mistake instead of expecting that the mistake was in the third party write up. And Clemson University and later Oklahoma University made the same mistake? Or bad ethics?

Until the 1970s plywood was the sheeting material of choice. It was designed during WW2 as a means of quickly constructing military housing (barracks), without the need of traditional shiplap (plank) siding. It provided wall strength, quick covering (4x8 sheets), and could be finished with paint, avoiding the need for additional cladding. Plywood was even successfully deployed as the outer skin for lightweight, fast, military vessels (PT boats). Later, fiberglass replaced plywood as the material of choice for making watertight, low cost vessels, as it could be made in a continuous molded product. However, in many places plywood is used beneath fiberglass for added strength. ... Particle Board was the first substitute to be used to replace plywood (1970s) it was the predecessor to OSB. Particle board failed miserably, as it had the same issues (far worse) of moisture absorption and delamination, now experienced with OSB. Basically both will rapidly absorb moisture, swell, and rot quickly. Its basically glued together wood chips. If it was based upon a fiber matting material (like fiberglass), and pressure impregnated with a material such as IMC, it would loose its inherent failure mode, and last hundreds of years. .... Fiberboard is nothing more than cardboard. Some types are impregnated with resins to make them more substantial. However, they are inexpensive measures designed to last only a decade or two. .... Why the home building industry has not adopted IMC, especially nano IMC is beyond me. Its lightweight, impervious to water, can be finished in a vast array of colors, and its strong. It can even be applied over metal to provide maximum strength. It could easily provide a set of molded panels which could result in a watertight, air tight, home exterior within just a few hours. Once the material is clamped and glued together, its impossible to separate. It wont leak as its currently used to build boats. Corners would no longer be a problem as they would be a formed solid piece. Openings could easily be cut on site. Further, structural beams and insulation could be incorporated into the panels when manufactured. It would be completely insect proof and last hundreds of years. Next time you step into your shower enclosure, start thinking, as most likely that waterproof enclosure is made of IMC, and you rely upon it to have no leakage of any kind, and so it performs, day in and day out, without failure, while being ignored as the valid material for constructing homes.

I know this is a two-year old video, but most recently (two weeks ago), I went to a job site to see the builder's quality of work. I am in the market for buying a house. Needless to say, I took photos of the Thermo Ply application being used as a vertical exterior wall for lateral support. This is a $900K house I was looking at. My gut instincts told me this is not right, and I did recall seeing a Matt Risinger video talking about some builders cutting corners and installing Thermo Ply as an exterior lateral support wall and that he has seen homes literally fell apart as a result of strong winds. I am researching the building codes in my area. While the builder informed me that Thermo Ply is better than OCB/plywood, I disagreed. Ultimately, I decided to move to another builder.

I am not expert, but the reality is you can find photos of homes with OSB that have been hit by high winds and or tornados and have fallen just like in the picture. The integrity of the home is more than just the OSB or any other material, it is the entire home in its entirely that makes the home solid. Some people simply attack thermoply because of tradition but not because of any evidence showing that its inferior. I like how they lady steps in and uses logic when pointing out the fact that thermoply is more water resistant so in the long wrong it can actually end up being a more solid home than plywood or OSB but no one talks about that.

I've been building for almost 50 years , My mind has blown over ........the over reaction to water and moisture protection and barriers,,,,,,,roof systems , wall systems, tile systems for shower walls and Bottoms. I am not here to debate any of them as to which is better when and where ! The problem today is most contractors and their sub contractors have lost sight of the most important and fundamental rule to their trades ...........if the water gets behind the exterior wall sheathing, no matter it be hardiplank , vinyl, wood lap or Brick ...or behind your one of many choices of roofing ........ITS FAILED ! More focus has to be brought back to the trades to go the extra mile on preventing Any Water from penetrating thru the face . Once water gets thru , the damage can be severe no matter the water barrier product ! The other half to solving water problems is that Home Owners understand that their homs are not and never will be maintenance free no matter the exterior products they are built with . Some products last longer without painting or sealing and sometimes it requires removing and replacing exterior cladding . Homes must be maintained or they come apart ........period. Stop the water from ever getting between the layers it don't belong !

should I use TYVEK over thermo ply?

Unfortunately, that's what we see for the most part in new homes in Texas(Thermoply). In Houston, majority of new homes are using it unless you're getting a way more expensive home. Even then, corners might be cut . Home buyers have the choice of getting an older home, that may need a lot of updates, but the shell is solid. That's where new construction is winning because of the ease of move and options you can add, but the shell is not built as sturdy. Best thing to do is have 3rd party inspectors check out the entire process, to at least check and fix certain things. Even though cheaper materials are being used, the house is not going to topple over after a rain storm(cross fingers).

Everyone knocks on Thermoply but don't want to pay 400k for a 2000 sq ft house. Thermolpy for the cost makes sense.

I think using thermaply with closed cell foam insulation would give plenty of structural strength.

OK, so what about OX-IS?

This is a great product. When using the OX-IS product you get a 4-1 product, you can’t beat it. Also this product has been around over 20 years and has had zero to no failures. I bet Zip-Wall can’t say the same.

Go read the APA structural report on this. They did INDEPENDENT testing and I would never use this. Remember that 70 years ago, they used fiberboard for "sheathing", no one uses that any more either.

There have been a lot of "innovations" in building that have turned out to be absolute disasters in the long term. Like Thermo-ply, most of these were the result of cost cutting that seemed too good to be true. Time will tell, but I certainly would not want to be the test case for cardboard sheathing.

So… I’m confused. We can’t use Hardi board over the TP? If we have to hit the studs, aren’t the nails for the TP every 3 inches? Leaves very little room to mount the Hardi. Also, no vinyl siding? Geeze, very little options. I just got an opportunity to purchase a LARGE amount at a discount, and I’m intrigued before i sell it to my customers.

The house my parents just bought is being built with a more modern and seemly structural version of this. There are two options to tape, or to go ahead and use house wrap. The builder my parents are using uses a more modern version of this calls OX-IS structural, changed the way it's framed and wraps on top of the board.. like it was an obs house.

re water repelling, i always wondered why no one ever paints the sheathing with a water/bug repellent paint?

I have a question my new mobile home has this exact Product is it something to be concerned about living in a brand new mobile home.

Very interesting presentation; you two would make an interesting talk show … about any set of topics 👍

Wow" yall are nuts! Go outside, get some sun, skin your knees, fall in love, break the speed limit.

It's cardboard, it's not as good as OSB, and OSB is not as good as pressure treated plywood. It's really that simple. We're building a new house between Houston and Dallas now, many builders want to save me money by using thermoply, as soon as a builder says that I take them off the bid list and walk away.

Why would you ever use a sheathing you can punch through with no effort

You can’t put 100 staples in 1/16 cardboard and not expect most of them to be over driven. Also you need tons of blocking which makes more work

Have you done anything on OX-IS?

Tply is used in North Texas all the time. I see it in all the new homes build by production builder. If you want a new house, you basically have no choice.

Anyone know in Dallas DFW area that makes home using Zip system?

We used to square an exterior wall then cut in a metal T rail before adding thin silvery looking panels. The wall was expected not to rack because of the two T straps on the ends. (those kids kicking through the panels grew up to be lawyers)

It’s cardboard! Same as you use on the assemble yourself furniture from IKEA. The fact that we are even debating this product illustrates a complete failure by the building code industry. 1/2” CDX plywoods with an appropriate building wrap should be the minimum standard. Light gauge metal strapping and hold downs should be the minimum standard. As a structural engineer with 25 year experience designing I would never apply my stamp to this. Unfortunately as consumers we have little choice since anything built to a reasonable standard is extremely costly. Builder love to flaunt the cost savings to consumers. It’s not cost savings to us it’s larger profit margins for them. This is greed, pure and simple. Unfortunately the life safety potentials are real. Shame on the industry and building codes for allowing this.

Wasn’t fiberboard a thing in the 80s? “Innovation” doesn’t always pan out in the end.

Hey guys, great video and content. My builder is using Thermoply sheathing with 7/16 OSB for corner bracing, any comments?

My builder is using OSB on the exterior but Thermoply on some of the Interior walls, is that better?

If you want a bomb shelter - build it out of solid concrete. If you don't have the money - just go with what you can afford

is oxboard the same as that thermalply cardboard stuff?

If you think aluminum is 'flimsy' too, you might want to start taking the train.

I'm guessing that Thermoply doesn't do much to protect the home interior from wind driven debris. Owning a 1961 built home with 1/2" plywood sheathing and cedar clapboard siding makes me think of the following that I have done to our home that probably wouldn't work well with Thermoply. 1) Added 240V hookup for A/C compressor that is attached to the siding with screws into the sheathing 2) Added 120V outlet near new A/C compressor with old work electrical box that is held in place by clamping onto the back of the sheathing. 3) Installed garden hose holder to the side of the house with screws into the sheathing. 4) Had Frontier move their fiber box from one end of the house to the other with screws into the sheathing. 5) Not had to worry about damaging my sheathing while cutting holes in the drywall. Homeowners can't just look at new construction as job complete, they have to live with the long term hassles. I can't even imagine a house with Thermoply and vinyl siding (or any other non-ridgid siding) as a homeowner trying to do improvements down the road like installing exterior lighting, adding decorative window shutters, exterior widow and patio awnings, new hose bibs, a new exterior mounted tankless water heater, adding window planer boxes, hanging a "Welcome" sign by the door, and so on. I'm inclined to see Thermoply as the product of a short-sighted company and just avoid OX products altogether for fear of more of the same wrong thinking.

what do you mean hard to market? nowadays you can do any experiment to show thermoply shear strength....

Is there a non cellulose non wood structural sheathing.. Could you use sheets of steel or aluminum for sheathing? Especial for steel framed house?

Where can I find the video with Matt Risinger's video about Thermo Ply?

Currently building a home through shaddock homes in Frisco Texas. I have asked if I can use zip or at least tvexk over osb system. We shall see how it goes. Fell free to come up for a pre drywall inspection video. Lol.

Install osb, then install thermoply over the top I just fixed all your issues, or better OX-is

Well a rat can't eat the glas but sound like it won't have a problem getting in the house

APA - The Engineered Wood Association is a nonprofit trade association that works with its members to create structural wood products. This is like giving candy to dentists for testing. Pass, Do not pass Go, Do not collect $200.

I would be ok with the dry line product if the fasteners were taped and overlap were taped. I’m fixing to fight my builder with this. I asked to use zip and they denied the request.

Out here in California, residential building we don't use anything but regular 1/2" plywood. We don't even use OSB because it's to absorbent and falls apart.

To Call Thermoply "Structural" at all is an absolute joke! smh If your builder is using this run. These people are talking out of two sides of their mouth. Bad taping or not, Zip is wayyyy better than Thermoply.

Blah, blah, blah. You guys have no Idea what the hell you are talking about and what is the point your are trying to make? Ignorant "designers" trying to sound intelligent...NOT!

Don’t blame the builder. Blame coding this plyboard should be illegal

17:22 nope not a tornado at all. Just straight inline winds did that.

You guys are clueless .

Yes, it is bad to use Thermo-ply. It is garbage.