Skip to main content

Back to Document Library

Minimizing Buckling of Wood Structural Panels

Technical Note

Buckling of wood structural panel sheathing such as plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) occasionally results when increased moisture conditions cause the wood to expand. Such buckling may occur between supports or between nails along supports. Although structural properties are unaffected, the waviness affects the building’s appearance and may lead to complaints. 

This technical note is designed for: designers, architects, builders, contractors

In this technical note, learn how to reduce sheathing buckling through moisture control, panel installation and other considerations, as well as how to correct panel buckling.  

Key sections include:

  • Mechanism of buckling

  • Design and construction features that reduce buckling including moisture control through code compliant venting, as well as including a gap of 1/8-inch on all panel edges.

  • Special considerations that increase likelihood of buckling, including 3-ply plywood, oversized panels and panels installed within a few days of manufacturing.

  • Correction of panel buckling

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.

Related Resources

Explore All Guides, Tools & Training

**Please note this image contains an errors or issue with the construction of the building or item. This image should only be used for Educational purposes.** Builder Tips: Prevent Buckling with Proper Spacing Builder Tip - M300 This publication contains spacing recommendations for APA Rated Sheathing, APA Rated Sturd-I-Floor® and APA Rated Siding. 2024 Multi Product shots Engineered Wood Construction Guide Technical Guides - E30 This publication provides a comprehensive overview of engineered wood construction systems for residential, commercial and industrial buildings Storage and Handling of APA Trademarked Panels Builder Tip - U450 This publication provides guidelines to help protect panels from damage in storage, during shipment and on the jobsite ADOBE STANDARD LICENSCING | Standard licenses Most Adobe Stock photos, vectors, and illustrations come with a Standard license. With a Standard license, you may: • Reproduce up to 500,000 copies of the asset in all media, including product packaging, printed marketing materials, digital documents, or software. • Include the asset in email marketing, mobile advertising, or a broadcast or digital program if the expected number of viewers is fewer than 500,000. • Post the asset to a website or social media site with no limitation on views. • Include the asset in some types of products, such as inside a textbook, as long as the primary value of the product is not the asset itself, and the product is not reproduced more than 500,000 times. • Share the unmodified asset with your employees and contractors who have contractually agreed to abide by the license terms. • Transfer the license to your client or employer. (With a Standard license, you may not: • Distribute the stand-alone file. • Create merchandise, templates, or other products for resale or distribution where the primary value of the product is associated with the asset itself. For example, you can't use the asset to create a poster, t-shirt, or coffee mug that someone would buy specifically because of the asset printed on it. • Transfer the license to more than one employer or client, unless separately licensed for each.) Condensation, Causes and Control Technical Note - X485 This publication explains causes of condensation, identifies areas prone to condensation issues, and provides options to control condensation ADOBE STANDARD LICENSCING | Standard licenses Most Adobe Stock photos, vectors, and illustrations come with a Standard license. With a Standard license, you may: • Reproduce up to 500,000 copies of the asset in all media, including product packaging, printed marketing materials, digital documents, or software. • Include the asset in email marketing, mobile advertising, or a broadcast or digital program if the expected number of viewers is fewer than 500,000. • Post the asset to a website or social media site with no limitation on views. • Include the asset in some types of products, such as inside a textbook, as long as the primary value of the product is not the asset itself, and the product is not reproduced more than 500,000 times. • Share the unmodified asset with your employees and contractors who have contractually agreed to abide by the license terms. • Transfer the license to your client or employer. (With a Standard license, you may not: • Distribute the stand-alone file. • Create merchandise, templates, or other products for resale or distribution where the primary value of the product is associated with the asset itself. For example, you can't use the asset to create a poster, t-shirt, or coffee mug that someone would buy specifically because of the asset printed on it. • Transfer the license to more than one employer or client, unless separately licensed for each.) Decay of Engineered Wood Products Customer Service Tip - W505 This publication discusses the causes of fungal decay in wood structural panels and how proper design, construction and maintenance can prevent fungal decay. ADOBE STANDARD LICENSCING | Standard licenses Most Adobe Stock photos, vectors, and illustrations come with a Standard license. With a Standard license, you may: •     Reproduce up to 500,000 copies of the asset in all media, including product packaging, printed marketing materials, digital documents, or software. •     Include the asset in email marketing, mobile advertising, or a broadcast or digital program if the expected number of viewers is fewer than 500,000. •     Post the asset to a website or social media site with no limitation on views. •     Include the asset in some types of products, such as inside a textbook, as long as the primary value of the product is not the asset itself, and the product is not reproduced more than 500,000 times. •     Share the unmodified asset with your employees and contractors who have contractually agreed to abide by the license terms. •     Transfer the license to your client or employer. (With a Standard license, you may not: •     Distribute the stand-alone file. •     Create merchandise, templates, or other products for resale or distribution where the primary value of the product is associated with the asset itself. For example, you can't use the asset to create a poster, t-shirt, or coffee mug that someone would buy specifically because of the asset printed on it. •     Transfer the license to more than one employer or client, unless separately licensed for each.) Copyright: © Adobe Stock Controlling Decay in Wood Construction Technical Note - R495 This publication discusses decay fungi and how to prevent/minimize degradation of wood through proper design, storage, construction and maintenance

More Technical Documents

More Training & Tools