What term describes 1x6 boards running at a 45-degree angle from exterior walls to primary structural members?

• A. Diagonal Siding
• B. Diagonal Sheathing
• C. Cross Bracing
• D. Shear Board

Answer: (B)

This describes diagonal sheathing—the boards are placed on a diagonal, at roughly 45 degrees, to create a continuous shear plane that ties exterior walls to the main structural members. That diagonal pattern turns the wall into a braced diaphragm, efficiently transferring lateral forces from wind or seismic into the framing. It’s different from diagonal siding, which is just the exterior finish and doesn’t contribute meaningfully to structural stiffness. Cross bracing refers to braces arranged in an X across a space, whereas the described setup uses long diagonal boards as the primary diagonal pathway, making diagonal sheathing the most accurate term for this function.