Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Philip Piantone, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Email: [email protected]

How do shear walls protect buildings?

by Philip Piantone 08/06/2023

Defining shear walls and the benefits of them during construction  featured image

Shear walls are often seen in construction to bear heavy loads and withstand the forces of natural disasters. Understanding the purpose of shear walls and how they work can give you great insight into the building process and how it ties into safety. 

What is the purpose of a shear wall?

A shear wall is an architectural design made to withstand high-impact winds and other forces parallel to the plane of the structure. 

How it works is when one end of the wall undergoes an uplift, the other side is compressed - both loads alternate as the structure shakes to distribute the impact.  

What is in a shear wall?

Shear wall construction is composed of two or more walls, with beams or slabs and columns connecting the beams. This type of framing provides resistance to lateral forces and lateral loads by bending and with movement. 

What type of plywood is used for shear walls?

APA rated sheathing and Structural I are some of the best plywood to use when building shear walls. Structural I must be dense Douglas Fir or Southern Pine wood, while rated plywood can be any wood species. 

It’s best to avoid using 3-ply plywood, as the highest acceptable values were reduced by the city of Los Angeles to around 200 lbs/ft maximum. This change took place after the Northridge Earthquake tore architecture with this type of plywood - so regardless of where you stay, it’s best to use higher grade plywood. 

When building a home with concrete shear walls, it is important to work closely with your contractor to ensure high-quality materials are used for optimal safety.



About the Author
Author

Philip Piantone

My goal as a Real Estate agent is to provide you, as my client, with the best possible representation for all of your Real Estate needs. I will accomplish this through a very strong work ethic using limitless energy on your behalf. You will find me a responsible and friendly agent who genuinely cares about the people with whom I work. As a lifelong resident of the Washington Metropolitan area, coupled with the best continuing training in the industry, I am well prepared to provide you with the superior service that you need and deserve to get the most out of your Real Estate transaction. Whether you are buying or selling a home, I am able to provide you with the largest market exposure and to bring you the best possible price, terms, and conditions available. You can rest assured that I can help you achieve your Real Estate goals through superior service in an honest and personable manner that will make you a customer of mine for life.