How Do I Know if My Roof Decking Needs Replacing? [Cost, Codes, and More!]

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When it comes to a roof replacement, many homeowners assume that removing shingles and applying new ones is the total process. However, your roof is composed of many parts, and a roof replacement involves replacing and inspecting all of the components that make up a roofing system. It’s the combination of these things that makes your roof whole, and makes it durable enough to protect your home and withstand the elements.

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One crucial part of your roofing system is your roof decking. Roof decking is essentially the foundation of your roof, and is vital to maximizing your roof’s lifespan. This leaves many homeowners asking the question, How Do I Know if My Roof Decking Needs Replacing? Keep reading to learn what roof decking is, how to tell if it needs to be replaced, the cost, and more!

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Table of Contents

- What is Roof Decking?

- How Do I Know if My Roof Decking Needs Replacing?

- How Much Does Roof Decking Cost?

- Roof Decking Codes

- Hiring a Knowledgeable Roofing Contractor

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What is Roof Decking?

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Roof decking is sometimes called roof sheathing, and is basically the base of your roof. It is made of wooden boards, and is what your shingles and other parts of your roofing system are installed on. This can be considered one of the most important elements of your roofing system, as it connects your roof to the frame of your house, and is what is used to support the weight of all of your shingles and other roofing materials.

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There are two types of wood roof decking. The first type is plank decking, which is not seen as often, as it was used before the invention of plywood. It is made up of long, rectangular boards, and mostly seen on older homes. The important thing to note here is that if your plank decking has a wider gap than what is required by code, then it will need to be replaced.

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The second type of wood roof decking is sheet decking, sometimes called sheathing, and is made up of flat sheets of wood. And there are two types of sheet decking. The first is OSB, which stands for oriented strand board, and is the most common type of roof decking. It is made of smaller pieces of wood that are compressed together to form a flat sheet.

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Plywood is the other type of sheet decking, and comes in varying sizes and thickness. Even though OSB is the most common type of roof decking, plywood is still very popular. Both are great options as far as roof decking goes, and the one you decide to use will typically depend on both your budget, and the availability of the wood itself.

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How Do I Know if My Roof Decking Needs Replacing?

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How do I know if my roof decking needs replacing? Well, when it’s time for a roof replacement, you may need to have your decking replaced, as well. If the integrity of your roof decking has been compromised, then the wood will need to be removed and replaced. An experienced contractor can usually decipher this during a roof inspection, as compromised roof decking can sometimes feel spongy when walked on.

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However, even though walking on the roof can be a great indicator as to the condition of your roof decking, in many cases, it’s hard to tell the true condition until the shingles are torn off. If there are signs of rotting, there is a good chance that your roof decking will need to be replaced. In most situations, there will be at least a few boards that will have to be replaced, but your contractor will be able to determine this with accuracy once they finish tearing off your old roof.

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If a contractor finds rotten boards, then they will have to replace your roof decking before installing your new roof. With that being said, if your existing roof decking is in good condition, then it will be able to handle your new roofing materials, and won’t need to be replaced. So, how do I know if my roof decking needs replacing? The best way to know for sure is to hire an experienced and reputable roofing contractor to come out for a roof inspection.

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We’d also like to discuss what exactly causes roof decking to rot. When it comes to your roof and your roof decking, its biggest enemy is going to be moisture. Roof decking is highly susceptible to water damage since it’s made from wood. Water can find its way into your roof in a variety of ways, including the following:

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• Old, damaged, or missing shingles
• Clogged gutters
• Roof flashing that is not installed properly
• Snow or ice dams
• Improper attic ventilation

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And that’s just to name a few! This is why we highly recommend having a roof inspection performed by a professional at least once a year, so they can catch these problems before they turn into major and expensive ones. This is also why we recommended performing routine maintenance on your roof. For more information about how to properly maintain your roof, check out our recent blog, “Roof Maintenance Tips [And Why it’s Important].”

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How Much Does Roof Decking Cost?

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Now that we’ve answered the question, how do I know if my roof decking needs replacing, let’s discuss the cost. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact cost of roof decking due to the current fluctuation of wood prices, but it can be pretty costly depending on just how much decking needs to be replaced. Not only that, the thicker the plywood is, the more expensive it will be.

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To give an example, let’s just say that a sheet of decking in 2021 ran about $20-$60. This means that the material cost of 100 square feet is around $60-$180. So, if your roof is 1,000 square feet, then the roof decking will cost anywhere from $600 to $1,800. It’s important to note here that this is just the cost of materials, and doesn’t include labor and installation fees. The best way to get a more accurate price is to have a contractor come out and inspect your roof and give you an estimate.

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Roof Decking Codes

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How do I know if my roof decking needs replacing? An important thing to consider when answering this question are roof codes, and if your roof decking meets the code requirements. Roof codes are essential to ensuring that your roof is installed correctly, and that it complies with your state’s codes so your home can pass an inspection. With that in mind, we wanted to detail an important roofing code that has to do with your roof decking.

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According to the 2018 International Residential Code, asphalt shingles must be fastened to solidly sheathed decks. This means that your roof decking must be able to withstand the weight of your new roofing materials when they’re installed. So, if there’s any rotted decking, or if your existing decking can’t handle the weight of the new roofing materials, then it has to be replaced according to code.

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Another important code to be aware of states that as of 2021, your roof decking must be replaced if any of your plank decking has more than a 1/8” gap in between the planks. And unfortunately, we’ve seen many instances in the roofing industry where contractors will disregard this in order to cut costs and gain your business. This is why it is so important to work with a contractor you can trust, and to ask them to check your roof decking’s integrity during the inspection process.

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Hiring a Knowledgeable Roofing Contractor

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So, how do I know if my roof decking needs replacing? If your roof decking is rotted or unable to handle the weight of your new roofing materials, then it will need to be replaced. And now that you know the importance of roof decking to your entire roofing system, you can see why it’s so important to hire a vetted and experienced roofing contractor you can trust.

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A knowledgeable roofing contractor will be able to spot the warning signs of bad roof decking that needs to be replaced, and a reputable contractor will give you an honest assessment of it. We know that finding a roofing contractor you can trust can feel like a difficult venture, which is why we created the blog, “5 Questions to Ask a Potential Roofing Contractor [For Professionalism and Peace of Mind].”Knowing the right questions to ask a potential roofing contractor can help you to become an informed consumer, and choose the company that’s right for you.

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At Elite Exteriors, we believe in education and transparency when it comes to your roof and any roofing needs you may have. Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier residential and commercial resource for unparalleled service, superior craftsmanship and incomparable quality; and it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty! We also offer FREE initial consultations and inspections, and for more information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 470-350-3024, or fill out our online form.

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