The roof deck must provide a strong, rigid nailing base for the roof covering.
When installing a new roof, homeowners often deliberate over what type of surface material to use. While this is an significant decision in terms of both the roof's appearance and durability, selecting the material for your roof deck is just as important, yet it often goes overlooked. The roof deck, or sheathing, make up the sheets or boards that actually cover the house and provide a surface for the installation of the roof covering and underlayment. There are several different types of roof decks that you may use, depending on your climate and roof type.
Plywood
A plywood roof deck is made from wood veneer sheets that are cross-laminated and fused together by a hot press to create panels with several layers. Each layer's grain runs perpendicular to the grain of the previous layer. As a result, a plywood roof deck does not warp, swell or shrink as easily as other types of wood roof decks. It also has greater moisture resistance, so it is less likely to rot if it becomes damp. The plywood also dries quickly when wet, which may make it more durable than other roof-deck options.
OSB Sheathing
Oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing features interwoven wood strands held together with a waterproof resin, which makes the sheathing extremely rigid and helps improve moisture resistance. A roof deck made of OBS sheathing is usually less expensive than a plywood deck because only small pieces of wood are used. However, if you live in an area that is very humid, OSB sheathing may present a problem -- because it is not as tolerant of moisture as plywood and other roof deck materials. In particular, you may run into problems if your attic has poor ventilation. In addition, if damage occurs to your roof and the covering materials come loose, you must repair it right away or the OSB sheathing beneath may become so damaged that it needs to be replaced as well.
Metal
For a strong, durable roof deck, metal is an ideal option. It is lightweight and easy to install, and can be used on a variety of roof types, including pitched, arched and flat. While roof sheathing may be made in a variety of metals, steel is one of the most common. Steel roof decks are usually made from sheets that have been cold-rolled and come in ribbed panels to improve strength and rigidity. It is a good idea to use galvanized metal for your roof deck because it provides better moisture resistance and is less likely to corrode.
Concrete
Concrete may be used to create a durable, long-lasting roof deck. It does not corrode or rot, and moisture cannot easily permeate its surface. Structural concrete roof decks are available in precast planks that are brought to the site and installed. However, you may also pour structural concrete on site to create a roof deck. A gypsum concrete deck contains concrete, gypsum and fillers, as well as steel wire mesh to increase its strength. To create the roof deck, form boards are set in place over a framed support structure, and the gypsum concrete is poured on top.
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