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Wood
Timber bracing (braces, straps)

Timber braces let into the studs or crossed steel straps: they stop the timber frame from racking under wind. Nailed panels (plywood, OSB) also act as shear walls.
Typical dimensions & rules
- •Brace: 27×100 mm min, at ~45°, let into every stud
- •Strap: galvanized steel 2×40 mm, always in crossed pairs
- •Panels: perimeter nailing every 15 cm
- •Every wall panel and roof plane must be braced
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Brace merely face-nailed (slips under load)
- ✗Single strap installed alone (works in tension only!)
- ✗Openings cutting every brace of a wall
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