Clapboards fastened to zip-r
stephenr
| Posted in General Questions on
Hello,
I am doing a traditional siding job using clapboards and installing it over 1.5 inch zip-r sheathing that is attached to studs. I generally hand nail my clapboards using stainless steel ring shank siding nails. In this case, can I rely on the 1/2″ zip sheathing to nail into (using 1.75 ” nails) or should I try to locate 3″ ring shank nails (never seen over 2.5″) so that I can nail into the studs? No rain screen on this job. Thanks, Stephen
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Replies
I'm sure Huber would be a good place to start since they make the product.
As far as 3" or 3.5" ring shank nails, they exist and you can find them on the internets. A few years ago I had a scenario that called for 3.5" stainless ring shank collated siding nails and was able to source them no problem.
stephenr,
I think you will be fine just fastening to the zip-r. In an analogous situation our code allows rain-screen strapping to just be fastened to the sheathing, if that sheathing is 1/2" or better, and most builders do that rather than try and hit studs. I've never heard of problems using that approach. One simple way of increasing the holding power would be to reduce the spacing of the fasteners.
thanks very much.
On my own home, I have 1.5" Zip R6, with 3/8" plywood strapping as a rainscreen. On top of that, I have LP SmartSide fastened with 3 1/4" x 0.120" ring shanks into framing.
I suspect it's... completely overkill!
If I did again, I would be comfortable with just sinking into the sheathing layer, even with the rainscreen, so I'd certainly be comfortable adhering to sheathing sans rainscreen.
Patrick,
The first house I built I insisted on hand nailing the sub-floor with 3 1/4" galvanized spiral nails. It will probably still be in one piece after the apocalypse, but I'm not sure my wife has entirely forgiven me.
Why does she care? After all, you're the one with the broken elbow. ;-)
Subfloor with 3 1/4" is pretty special. I'd love to be a fly on the wall if that ever gets demoed (with the intent of preserving the structure).
Are they solid wood clapboards or a manufactured product? Manufactured products will have fastener requirements.
For real wood clapboards, I prefer to nail into framing when possible, as OSB gets a little soft over time. If you include a rainscreen gap you will help the OSB dry quickly and avoid softening. Ring shank nails 3" and longer are available; on coastal projects I have often used them for installing trim and decking. But I would spend money on a rain screen before spending it on long nails.