Exterior grade plywood was not available until the 1940 s.
Plank sheathing roof.
Without a good solid roof deck in which to nail the shingles problems are sure to arise when the first big windstorm occurs.
The plank problem typically sheathing problems are isolated to small areas but old plank sheathing presents more of a challenge.
There are basically 3 types of common roof decking.
Until the 1940s exterior grade plywood was not available.
Roof sheathing is usually made of either oriented strand board osb or plywood.
If your home was built prior to 1970 there is a good chance it will have board sheathing.
As the boards to do the roof deck were manufactured here in the northwest it was still more economical than plywood through the 60s.
The issue guertin explains is the gaps between boards.
Figure 7 this newer roof had been installed with little thought given to proper deck repairs.
Since the boards used for shiplap were manufactured here in the pacific northwest it was still cheaper than plywood up through the 1960s.
Roof decks on homes built before 1970 are often 1 8 fir pre plywood shiplap.
Without these many of the nails used to install the shingles will fall between the sheathing and the first wind storm will blow your shingles off.
On older homes planks were often spaced for wood or slate roofs with wider exposures than the standard 5 inch tab on asphalt shingles.
Just as with plywood or osb board sheathing provides some lateral stability for the framing and small plank fractions are not as sturdy as longer elements that span multiple supports.
Plank sheathing usually 1 6 or 1 8 was used as a roof deck before plywood.
Your roofer will attach your shingles to these squares or planks of wood.
Roof sheathing also known as roof decking is a strong layer of wood boards that are fixed to your roof s joists and trusses.
Roof decking or sheathing is the lumber that is attached to the roof trusses of your home.
If you have spaced or plank sheathing osb or plywood will need to be added to completely cover the roof.
This is the material that your roofing shingles are nailed to.
What is roof sheathing.