Your roof is more than just shingles you rarely ever see. There are several components to a roof. All of them come together to form a protective roof that should last for decades. Although all materials are important for your roof, one of the most important materials is roof decking. Here’s what you need to know about this vital part of your roof.
What is Roof Decking?
Roof decking, also known as sheathing, is the foundation of your roofing system. It is the wooden boards that make up the skeleton of your roof. Roof decking is placed on top of the structural trusses to cover rafters and support the weight of the roofing shingles.
What Are the Different Types of Roof Decking?
There are two main types of roof decking: plywood and Oriented Strand Board (OSB). OSB is a material composed of intertwined strands of wood bonded together by a waterproof resin. It’s a popular choice because of its affordability. Plywood, on the other hand, is a bit more expensive than plywood. That is because plywood is much denser and provides better protection against moisture.
There are also two styles of roof decking. One style, known as plank decking, involves laying down several elongated and rectangular wooden boards. These boards come in 2 different sizes: 1×6 and 1×8. This style of decking was popular before the invention of plywood, and although it’s not commonly used now, you can still find this style of decking on some roofs.
The other style of roof decking is called sheet decking. As the name suggests, this style of roof decking involves laying down flat sheets of wood decking.
What Causes Roof Decking to Rot
Since roof decking is made out of wood, it is susceptible to rot. Water is the number one cause of rot. It can seep into your roofing system in many different ways, such as:
- Through old, worn-out shingles
- Overflowing roof gutters of spouts
- Torn flashings
- Ice dams
- Excessive humidity in the attic
It’s important to repair a leak as soon as you notice it to avoid rot. Not doing so can lead to mold, damage to the structure of your home, water damage, and even fire if water comes in contact with electrical wiring.
Time to Replace Your Roof Decking?
If it’s time to replace your roof decking, the roofing experts at Maryland’s Best Remodeling help. We are a roofing company in Maryland that specializes in affordable, high-quality roof repairs. Contact us today to request an estimate.
