What is the purpose of 'Sheathing' in a building?

The role of sheathing in a building is primarily to form the "skin" that is attached to the frame of the house. Sheathing consists of large panels, usually made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), that are installed on the exterior walls and sometimes on the roof. This paneling provides structural support and a stable surface for exterior finishes such as siding or roofing materials.

By creating a continuous surface, sheathing enhances the overall integrity of the structure and helps protect it from weather elements like wind and rain. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the building's shape and rigidity by distributing loads evenly across the frame. While other options may represent attributes related to a building's construction, they do not accurately capture the primary functional purpose of sheathing in terms of the structural framework and exterior enclosure.