- 1. Reduces wall air leakage and air infiltration to make a tight house envelope
- 2. 38% increase in wall strength
- 3. Lower labor, energy and material costs
- 4. Less waste
- 5. Easy to install OSB wall panels
- 6. Installs vertically and meets code
- 7. Available in 4×10 and 4×9 panels
- 8. SFI or FSC Chain of Custody and NAHB Green Certified
- 9. Horizontal joints that result in air leakage are eliminated
- 10. Contribute points to green building programs such as LEED and the National Green Building Standard
Top 10 Reasons To Build With TallWall
Where To Get TallWall
A big, money-eating hole in the wall
Today’s new wood homes are built with 9′ or 10′ ceilings, resulting in an increase in horizontal joints. These gaps are left as is, or must be caulked in order to meet standards and make the structure more airtight. That can add up to over four square feet of open space through which air enters the home.
How TallWall reduces air leakage
These OSB wall sheathing panels significantly reduce wall air leakage by eliminating horizontal joints.
Norbord recently asked the NAHB Research Center to conduct an air leak test that compared TallWall wall sheathing to standard 4×8 panels.
One wall was built with horizontally installed 4×8 panels, the other with vertically installed TallWall OSB panels.
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. 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.
4x8 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 manufactures 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. Download the NAHB Research Center Report.
Conclusion: TallWall reduced air leakage by up to 60%
Our strength in numbers
Virginia Tech tests clearly showed that TallWall OSB wall panels installed vertically to overlap joist areas, increased wall strength by up to 38%.
For builders and framers, greater strength means a stronger wall frame and an air tight structure.
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% |
Homeowner benefits
Higher quality build, reduced utility costs, improved comfort, better indoor air quality and higher resale value.
