Wall sheathing system and method of installation

1. A panelized wall sheathing construction system for a building having a frame structure comprising:

first and second composite panels attached to the frame structure in a substantially abutting arrangement so as to form a joint therebetween, wherein each of the first and second panels further comprises

an inward facing surface, an outward facing surface and a peripheral edge; and

a substantially bulk water resistant barrier layer adhesively secured to at least the outward facing surface of the panel, wherein the barrier layer comprises a substantially skid resistant outward facing surface; and

a water-resistant seal that covers the joint between the first and second panels; and

wherein the panels are characterized by a permeability in a range from about 0.1 U.S. perms to about 1.0 U.S. perms as determined by ASTM E96 procedure A (at 73° F.-50% RH), by a water vapor transmission rate from about 0.7 to about 7 grams/m 2 /24 hrs as determined by ASTM E96 procedure A (at 73° F.-50% RH), by a permeability from about 0.1 U.S. perms to about 12 U.S. perms as determined by ASTM E96 procedure B (at 75° F.-100% RH), and a liquid water transmission rate from about 1 to about 28 grams/100 in 2 /24 hrs via Cobb ring according to the test method described in ASTM D5795.

2. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 1 , wherein the skid resistant outward facing surface comprises a textured, embossed surface.

3. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 2 , wherein the textured, embossed surface comprises a plurality of parallel grooves.

4. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second composite panels comprise oriented strand board.

5. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second composite panels comprise particleboard, plywood, waferboard, or fiber board.

6. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 1 , wherein the water resistant seal comprises a tape.

7. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer of the first panel substantially covers the entire outward facing surface thereof.

8. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 7 , wherein the barrier layer is comprised of a paper having a dry weight of about 16 lbs./msf. to about 75 lbs./msf.

9. The panelized wall sheathing construction system of claim 8 , wherein the paper is a resin-impregnated paper having a resin content up to about 80% by dry weight.

10. A method for drying-in a building prior to applying wall cladding comprising the steps of:

securing a plurality of panels to a building frame structure in a substantially abutting arrangement, wherein each panel comprises lignocellulosic material and further has an inward facing surface, an outward facing surface and a peripheral edge, a bulk water-resistant barrier layer adhesively secured to the outward facing surface of said panel, wherein the barrier layer further comprises a resin impregnated paper having a dry weight of about 16 lbs./msf to about 75 lbs./msf and having a substantially skid resistant outward facing surface; and further wherein said panels with said barrier layers are characterized by a permeability in a range from about 0.1 U.S. perms to about 1.0 U.S. perms as determined by ASTM E96 procedure A (at 73° F.-50% RH), by a water vapor transmission rate from about 0.7 to about 7 grams/m 2 /24 hrs as determined by ASTM E96 procedure A (at 73° F.-50% RH), by a permeability from about 0.1 U.S. perms to about 12 U.S. perms as determined by ASTM E96 procedure B (at 75° F.-100% RH), and a liquid water transmission rate from about 1 to about 28 grams/100 in 2 /24 hrs via Cobb ring according to the test method described in ASTM D5795; and

sealing a joint between adjacent panels with a tape.