Homeowners have a tendency to talk about the style of shingles, color, warranty, and price when it comes time to replace their roof. When the time to have your roof inspected comes however, your roofing contractor may suggest something less known to you, which is resheeting your roof. The next most logical and the most frequent question then is, do you really need to resheet your roof?
This is a question that we keep hearing at Northwest Roof particularly among the older homeowners. The easy way out is yes occasionally, and yes certainly. Getting to know what roof resheeting is, why it is advisable and when it is necessary will contribute to the finding of the right answer and prevent an expensive mistake in the future.
Resheeting a Roof: What Does This Mean?
Roof resheeting is used to refer to the placing of new roof decking (also known as sheathing or substrate) over the existing decking or to replace the existing decking before new shingles are installed. This is what you refer to as decking, which is the concrete surface that supports your roofing materials and also clings the nails firmly.
Contemporary roofs are normally made using plywood or OSB of exterior grade (1/2-inch) that gives a smooth, durable and code compliant surface. Nevertheless, most of the older homes, particularly those ones that were built before 1970, were built using a very different system.
What Is Shiplap Roof Decking?
Shiplap is made with 1x 6 or 1x 8 fir wood as planks that lie horizontally across roof rafters. Plywood used in the exterior was not very common before the 1940s. Shiplap continued to be popular even after it became an option since it was cheap and it could be easily found in particular in the Pacific Northwest. Only in the 1970s was 1/2-inch CDX plywood used as a roofing substrate.
The Issue of Shiplap Roof Decking
Although a shiplap was a viable approach several decades ago, it has a number of severe problems nowadays, particularly when putting up a new roof.
- Deterioration of wood due to old age.
The majority of shiplap roofs have become 50-80 years old. Wood becomes dry due to the passage of time as the resin evaporates. This causes:
- Shrinking and warping
- Brittle, weakened boards
- Structural loss in its integrity.
And old wood is still much more likely to crack and split as more roofing nails are hammered in.
- Board Openings Open leakage.
Shiplap boards are also placed with small spaces in between unlike the plywood. Those gaps are increased as the wood ages and shrinks.
These gaps allow:
- Water intrusion
- Moisture penetration
- Condensation buildup
With underlayment, such openings may end up causing leaks within your house.
- Nail Failures, Knots and Cracks.
Boards of Shiplap usually have:
- Knot holes
- Natural cracks
- Irregular grain patterns
All these weak points pose a threat of leakage. More to the point they make roofing nails unable to anchor your shingles correctly.
Failure to penetrate the solid wood all the way can cause the shingles to loosen, blow in the wind and break prematurely.
The Unidentified Danger of Multiple Layers of Shingles
The other problem prevalent with aged roofs is that of several coats of shingles. It was not uncommon over the decades to have homeowners’ roof over the old shingles with new one.
Each new layer creates:
- Additional nail holes
- Compromised underlayment
- Overloading of the roof structure.
By the time a roof has progressed this far the shingles, as well as the decking beneath, are usually in a terrible condition.
The broken underlayers and ship loaded shiplap covered under old roofing material has become common at Northwest Roof.
Why It is so Dangerous to Put New Shingles Over Shiplap
Lack of nail retention is also one of the largest issues with shiplap decking.
Due to the intermissions of boards:
- The nails can pass through the wood.
- The nails can embed partially only.
- Shingles might be insecurely attached.
This creates major risks:
- Wind uplift damage
- Shingle blow-offs
- Storm penetration of water.
The finest shingles will not work when not fastened on a solid surface.
What Will Happen When You Do Not Resheet?
There can be a tendency to save money by skipping resheeting when it is required, yet in most cases, it results in costlier expenses down the line.
It may have the following implications:
- Premature shingle failure
- Roof leaks within a few years
- Fraudulent manufacturer warranties.
- Structural wood rot
- Mold and moisture damage
Roofing fabricators will generally demand that the installation be made over an unbroken deck that is steady. Instant replacement Shipload may be installed on damaged shingles, but then your warranty becomes null.
The Best Solution: Resheeting Oil Over Shiplap
Alternatively, it is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly but the shiplap decking can be completely removed. In the majority of the cases, the most effective and least expensive method is to replace the shiplap with a direct resheet.
How Roof Resheeting Works
Roofing materials of old are removed. Shiplap decking is examined on significant damages. Plywood covered with exterior grade is applied over the shiplap. Another layer of vapor barrier and underlayment is put in place. Shingles are new, and they are fastened in place.
This method is:
- Code-approved
- Manufacturer-approved
- Structurally sound
- Cost-effective
All local building codes and manufacturer specifications are adhered to at Northwest Roof to make sure that the performance is long-term.
The Advantages of Resheeting Your Roof
- Stronger Nail Hold
Plywood offers uniform thickness and penetration of nails to make sure that the shingles remain intact during a strong wind and heavy rain.
- Improved Leak Protection
An uninterrupted decking material does away with cracks, holes, and other weak spots through which water may find their way.
- Longer Roof Lifespan
Having a good foundation, your new roof can be used in decades, doing exactly as it was built.
- Warranty Compliance
Resheeting is a good option to keep all your manufacturer warranty cover on your shingles.
- Added Structural Integrity
The plywood sheathing provides more rigidity and strength to the whole roof system.
Is Code Requirements Roof Resheeting?
The building codes differ depending on the location, however, the majority of modern building codes demand:
- Solid decking
- Proper nail penetration
- Structural integrity
In the event that your current shipload does not fit into the specified standards, re-sheeting is the most likely solution to be allowed to pass. A skilled roofer, such as Northwest Roof, will inspect your roof and tell you all that is needed in order to be in compliance.
Is Roof Resheeting Paying the Price?
Although resheeting is an additional expense to the original cost of a roof replacement, it is frequently much cheaper than the cost of addressing:
- Early roof failure
- Interior water damage
- Mold remediation
- Rebuilding the roof once more in several years.
A resheeting is an investment into your future home when you look at it in the long-term protective nature of it.
Why Choose Northwest Roof?
There is a high probability that your house is the largest investment you made, and the roof is the very first line of defense. We will be dedicated to at Northwest Roof:
- Adequate, thorough inspection of roofs.
- Being specific on what you want to do.
- Code-compliant installations
- Good quality material and labor.
We have a highly qualified team that can assist in safeguarding your home by either fully replacing your roof, resheeting, or by giving you friendly recommendations.
Concluding Remarks: Do you have to Resheet your Roof?
Unless your home was constructed after 1970, or you have shiplap decking to your roof, resheeting cannot be a choice, it is a necessity. Laying a new roof without looking at the structure may result in failure, leakages and money wastage. Properly resheeted roof gives a sound structure that your new shingles will work as desired to be in years to come.
Northwest Roof can be counted on to install or fix your roof when the time is right to have it done.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How would I tell whether there is shiplap decking in my roof or not?
Shiplap is common in homes that were constructed prior to 1970. The most effective method of determining what kind of decking your home has is to have it professionally inspected by a roof.
- Could the installation of a new roof be possible without resheeting?
Yes, in a few instances–but where the decking is shipload, or damaged, or otherwise nonconformance, resheeting is highly prescribed or obligatory.
- Is the fact that changing my sheets makes it stronger or weaker?
Resheeting will provide more structural strength, better nail retention and a far greater life and performance of your roof.
