My home builder wants to use foam sheathing under the brick facade. Is the extra insulation worth the loss of strength? Does the brick compensate for the loss of strength?
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There are 2 fields of thought on this subject.
One group thinks it is not a structural issue and the foam is water repellant barrier as well as an insulation barrier.
The second group (of which I am a member) feels that the amount of insulation is minimal and the added strength of wood sheathing covered with a house wrap is of more benefit. When fastening wall ties to a stud through insulation the attachment point is not as solid as it would be through a wood sheathing. Wood sheathing is also better at holding a stud in the position in which it was originally installed and will help keep them from warping. Foam insulation is not nearly as strong as wood.
The brick will provide no lateral support or resistance to racking. Foam sheathing requires lateral and corner bracing. Properly installed in accordance with building codes it provides equivalent structural stability to plywood or OBB sheathing. The operative word is "properly installed". But wood sheathing poorly nailed isn't much better. The key is workmanship.
