Bracing properties
Plywood exterior cladding can be used to provide structural bracing and hold-down resistance to roofs. If it is used in this way, careful attention must be given to design and construction details.
To provide tie-down, external walls must be clad so that plywood sheets acting in tension connect the top and bottom plates. The connection between the floor joist and the bottom plate, and the top plate and the rafter or truss must also be designed to complete the tie-down 'chain'.
When plywood cladding is used to provide structural bracing on external walls, additional bracing may still be required for the internal walls.