As floor or roof sheathing over framing, standard 1/2-inch plywood (15/32 Performance Category, 32/16 span rating) is listed for about 180 pounds per square foot (psf) of uniform live load at 16 inches on center and about 70 psf at 24 inches on center. Standard 3/4-inch Rated Sheathing (23/32, 48/24) is listed for about 175 … Read more
Basement window condensation forms when humid indoor air touches glass or a frame that is colder than the air’s dew point. Basements are prone to it. The windows sit in cold foundation walls, the glass is often single-pane or set in a metal frame, and the air below grade tends to run damp. The fixes, … Read more
The best low ceiling basement ideas keep the finished ceiling as high as possible and then pull the eye up and out. In practice, that comes down to five moves: Before any of that, check your height against the code minimum. If the room won’t pass, no paint or lighting trick changes that. Check the … Read more
Choosing the right plywood thickness for walls depends on the wall type, stud spacing, moisture exposure, and what you plan to mount to the surface. For most interior and garage walls with studs 16 inches on center, 1/2-inch plywood works well, while 3/4-inch plywood is better for areas that need stronger off-stud mounting. Quick answer: Use 1/2″ … Read more
When comparing OSB vs plywood for subfloor use, start here: at the same APA span rating, plywood and OSB are designed to perform the same structural subfloor job over the rated joist spacing. The real differences show up in three places: how each panel handles getting wet before the house is closed in, how thin … Read more