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How to Install Roof Sheathing
Roof Sheathing
Introduction:
The roof consists of several
components. The material that goes over the roof
rafters of the roof is called the roof sheathing.
Roof sheathing is similar to wall sheathings,
depending on the builder and where the house is
built, it is exactly the same. Having said that, in
some locations roof sheathing is a thicker material
than wall sheathing because of weather conditions
and roof load requirements such as in snow belt
regions..
The most commonly used materials for roof
sheathings is oriented strand
In some locations other materials are used for roof
sheathing that include redwood, spruce, fir, or
hemlock that is well seasoned. Non-seasoned wood is
not used for roof construction because it may
shrink and compromise the roofs strength. All roofs
are designed for load conditions such as snow and
rain. These factors are always taken into
consideration for roof construction.
Roof sheathing comes in 4 x 8 foot sheets which
make it easy and fast to cover a roof. Installing
the sheathing begins at the bottom roof edge of the
roof. The sheathing is typically nailed in place by
a nail gun with #8 nails that are spaced
approximately every 12 inches. It is laid in rows
with each row staggered by a half sheet to insure
maximum structural strength.
At the top of the roof rafter a two inch space is
left uncovered to provide for ridge venting. Before
each piece of sheathing is nailed in place, the
distance between the roof rafters is checked to
insure they are 16 inches on center.
Once all the roof sheathing is installed the roof
edge trim is installed followed by either felt
paper or ice guard. In northern areas where snow
and ice is a factor ice guard is always installed
at least six feet up from the lower roof edge. This
prevents water penetration from ice damming.
The last step before shingling is to install a trip
edge on all the roof edges. The drip edge is made
of galvanized sheet medal which provides a drip
edge along the roofs edges and provides a solid
base for the shingles on the other edge of the
roof.
That is how to install roof sheathing. It is a
relatively easy task for an experienced carpenter.
A DIY homeowner can do the task but may need some
assistance for an experienced carpenter.
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