Improving Your Business

Improving Your Business

4 Types Of Roof Decking

by Leslie Turner

Modern roofing systems are made up of several layers of materials. The base layer, referred to as the roof decking, plays a critical role in protecting your home's interior against water damage.

Your contractor will probably talk to you about roof decking options when you are ready to install a new roof on your home. It can be helpful to have an understanding of the four most commonly used roof decking materials so that you will be able to determine which type of decking is right for your new roof.

1. Plank Sheathing

Plank sheathing is a term used to describe roof decking that is made from planks of wood. The pattern of the wood planks depends on the type of roofing materials that will be installed onto the roof decking.

A wood shake roof can benefit from a type of plank sheathing referred to as skip sheathing. Skip sheathing is created by wood planks spaced evenly along the roof trusses.

Solid plank sheathing is created when wood planks are placed close to one another to create a solid decking surface. This type of plank sheathing is often found below older asphalt shingle roofs.

Your roofing contractor will be able to help you determine if plank sheathing will offer enough protection for your home.

2. Tongue-and-Groove

Tongue-and-groove decking is another option that you can discuss with your contractor. This type of roof decking is created by fitting tongued wood planks and grooved wood planks together to cover the roof trusses.

The interlocking design can create a stable surface for your shingles, metal roofing, or rubber roof.

Roofing contractors like to use tongue-and-groove decking in homes where there is no ceiling incorporated into the interior design. Tongue-and-groove decking has a uniformity that most find aesthetically appealing. This roof decking lends a rustic appeal to any home when viewed from the home's interior.

3. Plywood

Construction-grade plywood is a decking option that your contractor is likely to offer when installing a new roof. Plywood has the unique ability to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture.

Rain, snow, or other types of moisture cause the plywood to swell, but it swells evenly across the length of the sheet. Plywood dries out quickly, then returns to its original dimensions. It is these moisture-resistant capabilities that make plywood a popular roof decking material in wet climates.

Plywood decking can cost a bit more than other decking materials, but the higher price tag is offset by a reduction in leaks and repairs over the life of your roof.

4. OSB

The most popular type of roof decking material is oriented strand board (OSB). This decking is constructed by interweaving strands of wood together, then bonding these strands with an adhesive. The result is a decking material that is flexible, durable, and affordable.

OSB is affordable because it can easily be made using small, fast-growing trees. Plywood and sheathing-type decking must be milled from large trees.

OSB can also be produced in lengths that exceed the lengths of plywood sheets. The added length allows your contractor to create a reliable roof decking while minimizing the number of seams.

Seams can act as weak spots where water can seep through your roof decking, so fewer seams means a reduced risk of your new roof developing leaks.

The material that you select for your roof decking can have a direct impact on the durability of your new roof over time. Plank sheathing, tongue-and-groove, plywood, and OSB can each offer unique benefits that will contribute to the stability of your new roof.

Work closely with your contractor to identify the roof decking that will strike the right balance between performance and affordability.

For more information, contact a local roofing company.


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Improving Your Business

When there are things about your business building that are damaged, you can expect it to cause problems in the long run. From issues with getting top dollar for your property to dealing with incoming leaks and other issues, it pays to know how to make changes now that could improve your future. However, roofing issues can be hard to spot, which is why it really pays to do what you can to make steps towards fixing things. On this website, you can find excellent information about how roofing can be beneficial to your company, and what to look for when problems arise.