Features & Benefits
Use TallWall and eliminate horizontal joints that allow air infiltration.
Builder Tip
It is always a good idea to include information on this product in the material provided to appraisers. It shows that you have built added value into the project. This may help the appraiser understand and see the real value in the home and it will differentiate you from the competition. Download literature and other relative information found in the resources section.
Minding the gaps
Air infiltration around windows and doors can easily be addressed, but what about the horizontal joints in wall sheathing? Use TallWall and cut out the window and door openings instead of cutting pieces. It takes less time, less material and generates less waste. Spacing structural panels is an installation requirement but the resulting horizontal gaps permit air infiltration, even when factoring in house wrap with taped seams because house wrap is designed to breathe. TallWall eliminates those unnecessary horizontal gaps.
A big, money-eating hole in the wall
The majority of today’s new homes are built with 9′ or 10′ ceilings, resulting in an increase in horizontal joints when standard wall sheathing is used. The gaps created are too often considered a necessary evil and left as is, or must be caulked at additional cost in order to meet standards and make the structure more airtight. But all those small gaps taken together can add up to over four square feet of open space through which air enters the home – and the homeowners’ money exits.
How TallWall reduces air leakage
TallWall offers an easy, efficient way to eliminate unnecessary horizontal joints altogether, thus significantly reducing wall air leakage. Available in 9′ and 10′ lengths, vertical seams are located directly over studs. Problem solved. Best of all, TallWall presents no unusual installation issues and requires no special training of trades.
But don’t take our word for it.
Take the NAHB Research Center’s word
Norbord recently asked the NAHB Research Center to conduct air leakage tests that compared TallWall wall sheathing to standard 4×8 panels. The tests were conducted in the Center’s E283/E331 chamber, according to ASTM E283 test methods.
Pressure testing for air leakage
Two test walls over 8′ tall were built using drywall, tape, joint compound, insulation, with one electrical outlet (on the inside) and an electrical wire running through the studs. One wall was built with horizontally installed 4×8 panels, the other with vertically installed TallWall panels.
4×8 horizontally installed panels
Vertically installed TallWall panels
Each wall was then tested using three different pressure differentials (.01, .02, and .03 H2O SCFM). House wrap was then installed (according to manufacturer’s specifications) with one vertical joint, and the same three pressure tests were conducted. A final three pressure tests were completed after installing seam tape (according to manufacturer’s specifications) over the joint in the house wrap.
The following discoveries were made:
| % Decrease from 4×8 Wall at .1? H20 | |
|---|---|
| Base Wall* | -38% |
| With House Wrap** | -29% |
| With House Wrap and Taped*** | -56% |
| % Decrease from 4×8 Wall at .2? H20 | |
| Base Wall* | -47% |
| With House Wrap** | -15% |
| With House Wrap and Taped*** | -64% |
| % Decrease from 4×8 Wall at .3? H20 | |
| Base Wall* | -43% |
| With House Wrap** | -22% |
| With House Wrap and Taped** | -63% |
*Base Wall 4×8, horizontal installation, all joints spaced 1/8?, vertical joints on studs, 2×4 studs, fibreglass insulation, drywall taped and mud.
**House Wrap was installed over the OSB with one vertical joint installed per manufacturer’s specs and overlapped but not taped.
***House Wrap was then taped and the test repeated.
Tested by the NAHB Research Center.
All the same tests were repeated with TallWall panels installed vertically with vertial joints over studs and spaced 1/8? apart.
Conclusion: TallWall reduced air leakage by up to 60%
Whether the test wall had no house wrap, house wrap or house wrap with taped seams, the tests revealed a sharp reduction in air leakage – up to 60% compared to 4×8 panels installed horizontally under the same conditions. Download the NAHB Research Center Report.
Our strength in numbers
Norbord also commissioned researchers at Virginia Tech to test TallWall’s structural qualities. The tests clearly showed that TallWall panels installed vertically to overlap joist areas increased wall strength by up to 38%. For builders, that greater strength means a stronger structure, plus fewer callbacks for problems like nail pops and drywall cracks.
Overlap the joist area for stronger structure. TallWall connects the walls and floors together.
| Capacity (compared to 4×8 panels) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 10 TallWall | on 9? wall | >+35% |
| 4 x 9 TallWall | on 8? wall | >+22% |
| Stiffness(compared to 4×8 panels) | ||
| 4 x 10 TallWall | on 9? wall | >+24% |
| 4 x 9 TallWall | on 8? wall | >+31% |
| Displacement (compared to 4×8 panels) | ||
| 4 x 10 TallWall | on 9? wall | >+38% |
| 4 x 9 TallWall | on 8? wall | >+22% |
Sheath around openings
ADD STRENGTH AROUND WINDOW AND DOOR OPENINGS
Cutting TallWall around window and door openings instead of cutting and piecing parts together adds strength to the wall. This method also reduces the number of joints that allow air leakage. The walls are completed faster with less waste and less labor. See or download the APA “Full-Scale House Test Project report Form No 3D007” in the Resources section under APA Documents for details.
A simple switch
Norbord makes building a tighter, stronger envelope simply a matter of switching to TallWall sheathing. In fact, TallWall can actually save you labor and material costs while simplifying the application of wall sheathing.
GREAT INFORMATION
The APA Technical Topics TT-111A, “Wood Moisture Content and The Importance of Drying in Wood Building Systems”, is a great read for builders, designers, engineers, and other end users. It has a lot of information that will help design and build better structures. Visit the Resources section under APA Documents for details.
Building Sustainably
Today’s homebuyers look to purchase or build homes that utilize products that can reduce their energy costs, improve indoor air quality and are environmentally responsible. TallWall structural wall sheathing can help. Norbord recently completed testing at the NAHB Research Center that clearly showed TallWall can reduce wall air leakage by up to 60%. Using TallWall sheathing means less waste, less material, and lower labor costs. All TallWall panels are SFI® Chain of Custody certified. FSC® certified TallWall may also be available on request.
TallWall can help your project qualify under rating systems such as LEED® and the National Green Building Standard. TallWall is certified by the NAHB Research Center as a Green Approved Product under the National Green Building Standard.
Homeowner benefits
TallWall delivers a higher quality build, reduced utility costs, improved comfort, better indoor air quality and higher resale value.
Builder benefits
Your trades are already comfortable with OSB so the switch to TallWall can speed up construction right away. It’s easy to install, is available in 9’ and 10’ lengths, meets building codes and can help your project qualify for green rating system points. TallWall can even reduce your material handling, cutting and waste.
Make cost effectiveness your key to going green
Change the game on your next project. Specify TallWall wall sheathing by name. Available from your local building supply dealer. Also available as FSC® or SFI® Chain of Custody certified.
Resources
Visit the resources page for more information on product documents, forest certification, APA publications, seminars & trade shows.
