Sheeting

Sheeting refers to the use or production of sheets—flat, thin pieces of material—applied to a surface or used as a barrier. The term spans several industries, including construction, manufacturing, and food processing.

In civil engineering and construction, sheeting often denotes sheet piling or trench sheeting, where long sheets of metal, timber, or other materials are driven into soil to form a continuous wall. This temporary barrier supports earth, controls groundwater, and provides access for excavation. Installation considerations include soil type, load, corrosion resistance, and the need for bracing and seals.

In building construction, the term can be used to describe the sheathing—flat panels such as plywood or OSB attached to a structural frame to provide weather resistance, insulation, and rigidity. Although 'sheeting' and 'sheathing' are sometimes used interchangeably in informal contexts, they refer to related but distinct concepts; sheet material may be installed as a covering, with finishing layers applied later.

In food processing, sheeting is the process of rolling dough or batter into uniform, thin sheets using a sheeter. This method is used to produce pasta sheets, lasagna, pastry, and bakery items; thickness, moisture, and temperature are controlled to ensure consistent product quality.

In manufacturing, sheeting describes flat stock materials—metal, plastic, or composites—that are produced or cut into sheets for fabrication, packaging, or industrial use.