Sheathing A Roof Layout

During a hurricane the strength of the sheathing on the roof can greatly impact the homes ability to weather the storm.

Sheathing a roof layout.

When one slope is completely sheathed pop a chalk line down any slope edge as in a hip roof that needs to be cut at an angle. Spacer type panel edge clips are available from some manufacturers. Keep these tips in mind when roofing in hurricane areas. It spans the rafters to support the roofing and in the case of panel sheathing such as plywood or osb it acts as a diaphragm with the walls to resist horizontal loads.

Roof sheathing is a lot more than just flat panels onto which shingles are attached. Roof sheathing attaches to the surface of the rafters or trusses to form the structural skin of the roof. The roof s sheathing helps to keep the roof trusses or rafters properly spaced and is the strength that holds. The connection between the roof sheathing and the structure is a vulnerable point that is known to fail during a hurricane.

Sheath one slope of the roof at a time ripping the top course to the needed width at the ridge. A good sheathing job begins with proper rafter layout. This video shows how some roofs fail under heavy winds in uplift situations. Roof sheathing panel spacing hints.

To minimize waste and to simplify cutting the sheathing courses should begin either with full or half sheets.