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Q. We have our CDX sheathing and Tyvek up on the barn and are now putting up T1-11. The problem is that the back of the barn has relatively complex studding due to the gambrel roof trusses and I can’t determine where they are under the CDX and Tyvek. Is it ok to nail the T1-11 with relatively short nails (1 1/4 inch #8) in a regular pattern to the CDX without trying to hit the underlying studs? Or - is there a stud finder that will work through 5/8 inch CDX?

A. When nailing up siding, I would normally use 7d siding nails. These are hot dipped galvanized and have smaller heads than a box nail, so there is less to show on the finished product. The hot dipped galvanization is preferred to electro-galvanized because it will remain rust free longer when exposed to the weather.

Since you already have structural plywood (the CDX) doing all the work, it is not necessary to nail into the framing. Of course that is going to hold better, but siding nails that are placed every 6 to 8 inches on the perimeter of the sheet and every 12 inches in the field will hold very well. I don’t know what a 1-1/4 inch #8 nail is. I believe that an 8d nail is normally 2-1/4 inches long.

I would guess that you could use a stud finder to locate the framing behind the plywood, but it would probably be easier and more accurate to check your layout on the inside and then transfer a starting point to the outside and measure off the 16” on center layout. I don’t think I would worry too much about hitting the studs. If you want to make sure that the sheets can’t pull away, you can always bend over some or all the 7d siding nails that come through the sheating.

 
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