What Is Roof Decking?
Your home’s roof is a multi-layered system of components that goes far beyond its visible shingles. One of the most crucial aspects of your roofing system is your roof decking. As the foundation of your entire roof system, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of your roof decking — especially if you plan to pursue roof replacement in the near future.
In this blog, the experts at Schoenherr Roofing take a deep dive into what roof decking is, the two main types, and when it may be time to have your decking materials replaced so you can protect the structural integrity of your roof for the long term.
What Is Roof Decking?
Roof decking often remains out of sight, out of mind for many homeowners, but what lies beneath your shingles is one of the most important components of your roof system.
Your roof decking is located between the structural elements of your roof and the waterproofing materials below the exterior roofing surface. These materials help support the outer layers of your roof while offering added stability and load-bearing capacity.
The Two Main Types of Roof Decking
When it comes to decking materials, there are two main options contractors typically use: plank decking and sheet decking:
Plank Decking
Before the invention of plywood, many roofing contractors used plank decking when installing roofing systems. Comprised of a series of elongated, rectangular wooden boards in either 1×6 or 1×8 sizes, this type of roof decking isn’t commonly used today; however, it may still be part of your roofing system, depending on when it was installed.
Sheet Decking
Sheet decking, or sheathing, is made of flat wooden sheets. These sheets are typically constructed from plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), with OSB being the most common type used in modern roofing systems.
When To Replace Your Roof Decking
As part of your roof replacement project, it may be necessary to replace your roof decking to maintain the structural integrity of your roof. If there are signs of wood rot or significant deterioration, your contractor will likely recommend fully replacing your roof decking materials.
Because your roof decking is hidden beneath your exterior shingles, your roof replacement specialist won’t be able to determine whether roof decking replacement is necessary until they start the removal process.
If they discover rotten boards, they’ll need to replace the decking before installing the new roofing materials. Otherwise, you may be able to keep your existing roof decking, helping minimize the cost and complexity of your replacement.
Request a Roofing Estimate From Schoenherr Roofing
Ready to replace the roof on your Michigan home? Schoenherr Roofing has the contractors you need to get the job done right. Offering free in-home estimates and a deep commitment to service excellence, we’ve gone above and beyond to serve our community since 1995.
We’re proud to be your local industry experts, providing customized solutions and a hassle-free sales process to help you make the best decision for your home.
Start your roof replacement today by contacting us for a free roofing estimate.
