There are 16 methods of wall bracing available in the 2021 International Residential Code. Regional building codes may have different descriptions or requirements.
| Bracing Method | Name | Minimum Thickness |
Fasteners
(length, shank, head) |
Spacing | Default Gypsum | Notes | Relative Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS-WSP |
Continuously-Sheathed Wood Structural Panel |
3/8" |
Nails: 2-3/8" x 0.113" x 0.266" 2" x 0.113" x 0.266" (6d common) Alternate attachments: For interior use only See IRC Table R602.3(2) |
6":12" | Yes | Must be installed on all sheathable surfaces above and below openings along wall line. | High |
| GB | Gypsum Board | 1/2" |
Exterior Application
Screws: 1-1/4" Type W or S Galvanized Roofing Nails: 1-1/2" x 0.120" x 0.438" Staples: 16 ga. 1-1/2" leg x 1" crown Interior Application Screws: 1-1/4" Type W or S Nails: 1-5/8" x 13 ga. x 0.230" 1-1/4" x 0.098" ring shank 1-5/8" x 0.086" x 0.234" (5d cooler) 1-5/8" x 0.086" x 0.281" (gypsum board nail) |
Exterior
7":7" Interior Studs 24" o.c. Nails: 8":8" Screws: 12":12" Interior Studs 16" o.c. Nails: 8":8" Screws: 16":16" |
Yes | None | Low |
| CS-G |
Continuously-Sheathed Adjacent to Garage Opening |
3/8" |
Nails: 2-3/8" x 0.113" x 0.266" 2" x 0.113" x 0.266" (6d common) |
6":12" | Yes |
Must be installed on all sheathable surfaces above and below
openings along wall line. Because CS-G is narrow but otherwise constructed the same as CS-WSP there are restrictions for use. |
Low |
| CS-SFB |
Continuously-Sheathed Structural Fiberboard |
1/2" or 25/32" |
Galvanized Roofing Nails: 1-1/2" x 0.120" (for 1/2") 1-3/4" x 0.120" (for 25/32") |
3":6" | Yes |
Maximum stud spacing 16" o.c. Must be installed on all sheathable surfaces above and below openings along wall line. |
Medium |
| SFB | Structural Fiberboard | 1/2" or 25/32" |
Galvanized Roofing Nails: 1-1/2" x 0.120" (for 1/2") 1-3/4" x 0.120" (for 25/32") |
3":6" | Yes | Maximum stud spacing 16" o.c. | Medium |
| LIB | Let-In-Bracing |
1x4 wood (nominal) or Approved metal straps |
For Wood - Nails: (2) 2-1/2" x 0.131" (8d common) (3) 2-1/2" x 0.113" (8d) For Metal - Per Manufacturer |
Each stud and top/bottom plates |
Yes |
45° to 60° angles Maximum stud spacing 16" o.c. |
Low |
| DWB | Diagonal Wood Boards | 1x wood (nominal) |
Nails: (2) 2-1/2" x 0.113" (8d) Staples: (2) 1-3/4" leg |
Per stud | Yes | None | Medium |
| WSP | Wood Structural Panel | 3/8" |
Nails:
2-3/8" x 0.113" x 0.266" 2" x 0.113" x 0.266" (6d common) Alternate attachments: For interior use only See IRC Table R602.3(2) |
6":12" | Yes | None | Medium |
| PBS | Particle Board Sheathing | 3/8" or 1/2" |
For 3/8" - Nails:
2" x 0.113" For 1/2 - Nails:" 2-1/2" x 0.131" (8d common) |
3":6" | Yes | Maximum stud spacing 16" o.c. | Medium |
| PCP | Portland Cement Plaster | 3/8" or 1/2" |
Nails:
1-1/2" x 0.120" x 0.438" Staples: 16 ga. 7/8" leg |
6":6" | Yes | Maximum stud spacing 16" o.c. | Medium |
| HPS | Hardboard Panel Siding | 7/16" |
Nails:
1-1/2" penetration into studs, 0.092" x 0.225" |
4":8" | Yes | Maximum stud spacing 16" o.c. | Medium |
| ABW | Alternate Braced Wall | Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | No | Refer to Detail | High |
Source: International Residential Code, 2021 |
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| PFH |
Portal Frame
with Hold-Downs |
Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | No | Refer to Detail | High |
Source: International Residential Code, 2021 |
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| PFG |
Portal Frame
at Garage |
Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | No | Refer to Detail | High |
Source: International Residential Code, 2021 |
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| CS-PF |
Continuously Sheathed
Portal Frame |
Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | Refer to Detail | No | Refer to Detail | High |
Source: International Residential Code, 2021 |
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| BV-WSP |
Wood Structural Panel with Stone or Masonry Veneer |
7/16" |
Nails:
2-1/2" x 0.131" (8d common) |
4":12" | No |
Method BV-WSP has additional requirements See detail below and refer to IRC Section R602.10.6.5 for more information |
Medium |
Source: International Residential Code, 2021 |
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| Note: Wall panel construction is as described in IRC 2021 unless otherwise specified. Regional or local building codes may have different construction requirements. | |||||||