Composite Asphalt Shingle Roof
Composite shingle roofing is the most popular of all roofing materials, found on more than 80 percent of all homes. Composite shingles use either an organic or fiberglass base that is saturated with asphalt, coated on the bottom side with asphalt, and the exposed surface impregnated with small chips of slate, schist, quartz, or ceramic granules.
The vast popularity of shingles owes to the relatively low cost, easy installation, and decent life expectancy. These roofs are normally installed by professional crews, but installation is not out of reach for a skilled DIYer.
What Is A Roof Deck
It can be argued that the roof deck is the backbone of the allroofing systems. It is found between the structural components, like yourtrusses, and the insulation and waterproofing layers. Essentially, the roofdeck is the part of the roof on which everything is placed. It needs to bestrong enough to hold the weight of the roof, while being able to cope withsome give. There are various types of roof deck materials to choose from butthe commonly used materials for residential are Plywood or Tongue & Grooveand on commercial roofs, steel, concrete and cement.
Whats Better For Roofing: Osb Or Plywood
OSB is the better option for roof decking because it is cheaper and comes in a wider variety of larger sizes than plywood. Strand board does not react as well to moisture as plywood does, but it will have a more consistent thickness and fewer weak spots like knots than plywood.
If you are concerned about moisture getting into your sheathing, then plywood may be a better option. Plywood dries much faster than OSB because it is not as dense. There are usually only several layers of plywood per sheet while there are up to 50 layers of wood chips in a sheet of strand board, plus much more adhesive than a sheet of ply.
Since there are so many layers in OSB it is somewhat heavier than plywood. It takes water longer to penetrate it, but once it gets into the sheet then it takes a much longer time to dry. A board that stays wet longer is prone to sagging, which is why strand board tends to sag over time on many homes.
Finally, if you are going to sheath a shed that isnt heated, then OSB would definitely be a better option, provided you install the roofing material properly. There wont be any condensation issues, so your roof deck is liable to stay dry. In that case, strand board is best instead of plywood.
Read Also: Skylight Installation Metal Roof
Oriented Strand Board Decks
Oriented strand board decks have quickly become a preferred option for modern roof sheathing. This is largely because the product is very durable and less expensive than many other sheathing options.
OSB has been around for more than half a century. These days, more than half of all new home construction in the U.S. includes OSB decking. The synthetic material is made of tiny fragments of wood. Each fragment is bound together by a special resin adhesive. When properly installed, OSB provides good sturdiness, strength and uniformity at an affordable price. This is one of the reasons its so widely used throughout the industry.
Best Deck Material Options
Choosing a decking material is arguably the most important decision youll make while building a deck. Different circumstances call for different types of decking, and each option has its own unique aesthetic appeal, maintenance requirements, and other important considerations to keep in mind when choosing. Deciding which decking material option is right for you comes down to both personal and practical tastes.
Also Check: How To Build Gable Overhang
Joyland Roofing Wants To Speak With You
Dont settle for a contractor that youre just okay with hiring because they are convenient and cheaper. The health of your roof greatly changes the health of your entire home. We want to consult with you as you start your homes roof replacement journey.
Editors Note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in October 2020.
Does Roof Sheathing Need To Be Replaced
Like all parts of a home, sheathing needs to be replaced atsome point. Normally, it is replaced when a home or business owner gets are-roof on their building. However, there are some warningsignsto watch out for that will let you know when its time to get newsheathing or decking.
1) Broken Sheathing
Sheathing or decking can break due to animbalance in weight distribution. One of the most common causes of this wouldbe if a tree branch fell on the roof. It can also simply happen over time asthe quality of the roofing materials decrease with age. You can see if yoursheathing is broken easily. Check for signs of roof sagging, and look forsawdust or broken pieces of sheathing in your attic.
2) Water Damage
If you have leaking in your home, or if you seepuddles or water stains on your ceiling, it means it is time to repair orreplace your roof. These signs mean that water from outside has slipped its waythrough the shingles, underlayment, felt, and sheathing. Water damage to thesheathing or decking on your roof can affect its structure, which can onlycause bigger and more expensive issues down the line if it goes unfixed.
3) Rotting
4) Holey Roof
Holes in the roof are never good. They willinvariably lead to leaking. Theres a simple way to check for hole sin yourroof. Go up into the attic during the day, and look around. If you can seesunlight peeking through the roof, then you have holes. and schedule an appointment so that you can get the holes repaired.
5) Sagging Roof
Recommended Reading: Corrugated Roofing Overhang
What Is The Ideal Thickness Of Shed Roof Sheathing
If youre roofing a shed, you might consider a sheathing substrate of about 5/8 inches. This thickness is considered the sweet spot at which the roof sheathing wont cost you as much, remain easy to install and provide you with a pretty decent level of durability.
When it comes to sheathing material, you should consider OSB or plywood. These materials are excellent for the job, although OSB is preferred over plywood because it holds up better and is easier to install.
Moreover, strand board is more affordable than plywood, making it an ideal choice for those on a tight budget who dont want to spend a lot of money on roofing a shed.
However, if youre worried about rain penetrating your roof, plywood would be a better choice for you because it dries up much quicker than OSB and returns to its initial thickness when it dries up.
There Is No Standard Roof Sheathing Thickness
You should keep in mind that roof sheathing thickness isnt standardized. However, the Engineered Wood Association APA still standardizes the quality testing of the sheathing but not the thickness.
Instead, some standard roof sheathing thicknesses are agreed upon for being the perfect balance between durability, ease of installation, and budget.
For instance, the most commonly used thickness will be about 5/8 inch thick when it comes to strand board roof sheathing.
On the other hand, plywood roof sheathing is usually more durable, so a thinner board will still do the trick, which is why about 1/2 inch thick boards are the agreed-upon standard for plywood.
Read Also: Where Do The Screws Go On A Metal Roof
Value: Is A Composite Deck Worth The Money
A deck is an investment that adds value to your home, whether you choose natural wood or composite materials. And while cost is often the primary consideration when planning a deck project, its equally important to understand the value of what youre getting.
Youve probably already noted the difference in cost between composite decking and natural wood composite materials are more expensive per linear foot. But heres where its key to look at the whole picture. Protecting a wood decks aesthetics, longevity and value over the long-term takes much more effort and expense than that required to maintain a composite deck, which requires only a periodic wash with mild soap and water. Plus, most composite products are backed by extended warranties.
A wood deck requires regular power washing, sanding, sealing/staining and rot or damage repair. Whether you hire a contractor or perform the maintenance yourself, these costs will add up. And once youve factored those costs in, a composite deck can actually be less expensive in the long-run.
With that in mind, lets take a more detailed look at the benefits of composite materials.
Provides Barrier To Roof Damage
The sheath acts as the final form of barrier against elements and damage to the roofing material.
Even when damage occurs to the roofing material, the roof sheath, in most cases, is solid and waterproof, so it will take a while before water and moisture penetrate the board. Hopefully, proper repairs will is carried out by then.
Read Also: How Much Is A Shingle Roof Per Square Foot
Roof Decking: 3 Types To Consider
September 12, 2015 by Sock Woodruff
A new homeowner must consider two things when buying a home: the foundation and the roof. While having a solid foundation for your home is vital, having a properly installed roof deck to keep the wind, rain, and snow out of your home can be just as important. There are three types of roof decks to consider when building, remodeling, or repairing your new or used home: orientated strand board, plywood, and concrete.
Oriented Strand Board
Oriented Strand Board has been one of the most common roof deck types since the late 1970s. As of 2006, nearly 60% of all new homes used the material for their roof deck. OSB is created with intertwining wood strands bonded together by a waterproof resin providing optimal waterproof and moisture resistance. The general cost of using OSB for your roof deck is less expensive than regular plywood. One common issue of OSB is that the material is susceptible to trapping in and storing moisture. If there is an area of the roof where water can get to the roof deck, such as a loose or damage shingle, moisture can penetrate the space causing mold and rotting. This damage could lead to large repair and replacement costs for the homeowner.
Plywood
Concrete
Custom Installations did an outstanding job on our home. I would highly recommend.
Option #: Silicon Spray
A spray on roof doesnt sound particularly safe or effective, but this is actually one of the most expensive forms of roof coatings.
Unlike the previous five methods which all focus on creating a barrier or membrane to protect against water and moisture, this approach uses a coating to repel water. This method comes with one major advantage: there are no seams.
And, as weve seen above, if you want to protect your decking, you want to make sure that any seams are 100 percent impenetrable. Even better is having no seams whatsoever!
You May Like: Add Overhang To Side Of House
Does Roof Sheathing Thickness Matter
Now that you have a better idea about the roof sheathing and its importance to the roof structure, its easy to assume that the thickness of the sheathing plays a significant role in the quality of the build.
A roof sheathing made with a thicker panel will result in a more structurally sound roof deck.
The shear resistance of the sheathing material, coupled with the layers thickness, will also help resist any warping and bowing, especially between trusses and rafters.
This all will result in a more secure roof that is expected to last longer and even increases the general value of your property.
How Much Does Roof Sheathing Cost
During roofing, roof sheathing is priced cumulatively with the rest of the roofing work. You cannot have one contractor lay down the skeleton and another layout the roofing material.
But before the labor charge agreement, the roofing contractors will know which roof sheathing material to use.
Wood, Concrete, and Steel are priced differently. But different wooden materials could be priced the same as they are made from the same material, have the exact measurements, and even the same thickness.
The difference between the OSB and plywood costs around $50-$60, where OSB could cost $600 and plywood $660. It is the cost of installing 500 square feet of roof.
You May Like: How Much Shingle Roof Cost
How Vinyl Waterproof Decking Benefits Roof Decks
There are a few things that make PVC decking different in regards to roof decks. First, its designed to be waterproof and walkable whereas most other flat roof materials are not. Some vinyl decking products also incorporate CoolStep technology so you dont burn your feet .
When installed professionally, a vinyl roof deck surface incorporates into the structure of your home, condo, or commercial development. This method means that you get waterproofing from end to end not just on the surface. By incorporating the vinyl surface into the structure youre leaving virtually no room for future water damage when the vinyl decking is properly installed.
The Best Decking Materials For Your Rooftop Deck Project
Written byLiza Sivek on Tue, Jan 25, 2022 @ 05:01 AM
When you are building a rooftop deck, your most important considerations might be strength and longevity. And, of course, a beautiful finished deck! Hardwood decking materials such as Ipe wood, Machiche wood decking, Garapa wood, and other hardwoods perform in all three categories. While there are plenty of synthetic decking materials to choose from, they dont always stand up to the onslaught of UV rays, weather conditions and other elements that a roof deck is exposed to every day. Hardwood decking performs in rooftop deck areas naturally and beautifully.
Ipe Wood is the star of this rooftop deck and pergola in Boston, MA.
Don’t Miss: Roof Cost California
Fsc Certified Machiche Wood Rooftop Decking
- Machiche decking is a hidden gem hardwood rooftop decking material.
- A lower price point than Ipe decking.
- Rated at 80% of Ipe hardness, which is equivalent to two times the strength of oak.
- Machiche has a higher bending strength than Ipe.
- Mataverde Machiche is FSC® Certified to be a sustainably harvested material.
- High resistance to rot, mold, and insects.
- Beautiful light to dark reddish-brown shades with beautiful graining.
- Can age to a silver-gray patina and keep its good looks.
FSC Certified hardwood decking is frequently requested by architects and property owners in rooftop deck projects. Mataverde FSC Machiche decking can fulfill that request and give you benefits comparable to Ipe wood. And yes, Machiche is a lower price point than Ipe but performs just as well. It is scratch resistant, splinter resistant, and will not ugly out with checking and cupping in extreme weather.
The freshly installed look of Machiche on the Bay Area rooftop deck. This deck was planned to silver out, as shown earlier. Or you can choose to easily maintain the “like new” colors in your project.
Machiches light chocolaty brown to dark reddish-brown shades are a popular look for a rooftop deck. The shades are a pretty contrast underfoot and Machiche has very exotic figuring that stands out in a finished deck. Machiche can also naturally age to a silver patina, if you chose. Or maintain as needed with a coat of Penofin UV oil protectant to keep its natural colors.
Sheathing Vs Roof Decking
If you keep learning more about roofing, youll come across the terms roof sheathing and roof decking most of the time. Roof sheathing and roof decking are two terms often interchanged for the same process.
There is no technical difference between these two terms, although some roofing contractors prefer one over the other. Here, well therefore use the roof sheathing and roof decking interchangeably to mean the same thing.
You May Like: How Much Do New Shingles Cost
Is Roof Sheathing Necessary
Roof sheathing makes your roof strong, and that makes it necessary for almost any home construction. A building can only be complete when it has a roof over it, but a roof is not quality if it is not strong.
The roofs structure is comprised of rafters and trusses of different sizes, e.g., 3×2, 4×2, and 6×2 wooden frames that are spaced on intervals of between 16 and 24 apart in both length and breadth.
Most roofing materials come in the form of asphalt shingles or tiles, and because they are smaller in size and are laid nearby, the tiles wont have the base to apply on if the roof does not have a sheathing.
But as much as homeowners only think of a roof sheath as the surface for holding shingles and laying out tiles on the roof, a roof sheathing has several benefits as an added advantage:
Clay Or Cement Tile Roofs
Clay tile roofs are very popular in the Southwest United States but they can be found anywhere in the country, thanks to their incredible strength and durability. Traditional tiles are made from terracotta clay, but there are also ceramic tiles roofs , as well as concrete tile roofs. All consist of individual tiles installed in overlapping layers over the roof surface, and all have roughly the same degree of strength and durability. They require a sturdy roofing framing sufficient to hold the weight and must be installed by skilled professionals. This may well be the only roof your home ever needs.
You May Like: Metal Roof Extension
Underlayment For Low Slope Roofing
In addition to choosing the right roofing material for a low slope, you must also make sure to use the correct roof underlayment. Underlayment is critical, and often required by building code, for low slope roofing as it provides an additional layer of protection from water which helps reduce chances of leaks and water damage.
There are two main types of underlayment: felt and synthetic.Synthetic roof underlayment has superior durability, longevity and performance compared to felt. However, it is not for every type of application.
For more information on when to use and not use synthetic roof underlayment, we recommend reading: