Roofing Sheathing Thickness

If you are thinking about a roof replacement and doing your research, you might be overwhelmed by all the steps, terminology, materials required, and of course, getting up and working on your actual Michigan roof. Let’s take a look at one specific material, roof sheathing, and also explore the best roof replacement option.

Roof sheathing comes in grid-marked 4-by-8-foot sheets and needs to be installed perpendicular to the frame. Sheathing must be a minimum of 19/32-inch thick. Never affix roof sheathing with staples; 8d ring-shank nails need to be used instead. The normal thickness range for sheathing is 3/8 to 3/4 inch.

Key Factors

Multiple factors should be taken into account when determining appropriate roof sheathing thickness, like the span of roof joists and snow load for the area. Tables with key factors can be found in the book “Structural Design in Wood,” written by Judith J. Stalnaker and Earnest C. Harris. It is essential to check the local building codes for your area as well.

Types of Sheathing

Standard types of wood designed for roof sheathing are oriented strand board, known as OSB, and plywood, the most popular being OSB. Sheets of 7/16-inch thick, without edge support, can be used in an area where the snow load is 30 pounds per square foot. With edge support and the same snow load, 3/8-inch OSB can be used. Edge support is typically provided by tongue-and-groove sheathing panels or panel clips.

Determine Quantity

A 4-by-8-foot sheet of OSB or plywood is 32 square feet. To determine the quantity needed, use your roof’s total square footage and divide by 32. You should be ready to have about 15 percent waste, so multiply your result by 1.15. This final figure is the total number of sheets to buy.

This covers just one aspect of replacing your roof, and you may be tempted to do it yourself. After all, you can find YouTube videos for just about every project and articles like this one that help you learn the basics. So, why not just do it yourself and save a lot of money?

While DIY is appropriate for some projects, it can be a catastrophe for other. Replacing your own roof is at the top of the list of home improvement jobs you should leave to the pros.

Before you Google more roofing terms, let us look at the top reasons why you shouldn’t DIY your new roof.

You Don’t Actually Save Money

Replacing your roof is a significant investment. Replacing a few damaged or missing shingles is one thing but tearing off the whole roof is another. Professional roofers know the problem areas identify in a roof’s decking. They are also experts at spotting damage and providing homeowners with the most cost-effective way to repair it.

If you take on your own roof replacement and fail to notice problems, you will run into an extra cost in the future when you are forced to hire a pro to replace your work. When you hire a professional roofing contractor like AllPoint, the job will be done right the first time, with no costly repairs lurking down the road.

You Void Your Warranty

The majority of roofing material manufacturers will not guarantee materials that have been installed by an amateur and not a professional roofing contractor. The reasoning is simple: A slipshod installation that misuses the materials will certainly lead to costly damage.

Even if you perform a perfect installation, you will not have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your roofing materials are all covered by warranty. If you must make repairs or do a full replacement in the future, you have to pay out of pocket.

By working with a roofing expert like AllPoint, you know that your roofing warranty protects you and your budget from damage caused by weather, wind, moss, and other circumstances that can cause your shingles to degrade prematurely.

It is a Dangerous Job

Installing a roof might seem simple; the work is dangerous. There are many hazards to grapple with, including heights, sloping surfaces, the weather and power tools. Professional roofers have the tools and equipment they need to work quickly and safely. If you’ve watched roofing tutorials on YouTube, remember that they usually feature pros who are offering tips for basic repair work and simple patching jobs.

At AllPoint, we know practice makes perfect, and our roofing pros have the experience of doing a job over and over again. Chances are you have never replaced a roof. We have done it hundreds, if not thousands, of times. We will get the job done faster, and you will have a roof that boosts your home’s curb appeal.

You Might Miss a Serious Problem

If you see a stain on your ceiling after a downpour, you might try to fix the leak and paint over the spot. Easy, right? This fixes the aesthetic issue but likely doesn’t address a  serious underlying problem.

Often, homeowners think they can cut costs by shingling over an existing roof. You might get a new look by placing new shingles over the old ones, but you are not dealing with any issues underneath. Not to mention, shingling over your old roof almost always voids the manufacturer’s warranty.

It Doesn’t Look as Good as a Professional Job

When done correctly, a new roof will enhance the beauty and style of your home. While a roof might not always be the first thing people notice when they look at your house, you can be sure they’ll notice if it’s poorly installed.

Taking into account the fact that your roof covers the entire surface area of your home, it will absolutely stand out if it’s not installed correctly.

Call AllPoint to Book a Free Roofing Consultation

A roof is more than just shingles, it’s an entire system of components working together with proper insulation and ventilation to protect both the interior and exterior of a home. At Allpoint, we’re committed to providing you with a beautiful, long-lasting roof that protects your home for many years to come.