What is sheathing on a house and how does it contribute to the structural integrity of the building?

Sheathing on a house is a layer of material, usually plywood or oriented strand board, that is attached to the exterior framing of the building. It provides a flat, smooth surface for siding or other exterior finishes to be attached to. Additionally, sheathing helps to distribute the structural loads of the building, such as wind and seismic forces, across the framing members, which helps to strengthen and stabilize the overall structure of the building.