Sheathing A Roof Layout

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.

Sheathing a roof layout.

To minimize waste and to simplify cutting the sheathing courses should begin either with full or half sheets. The connection between the roof sheathing and the structure is a vulnerable point that is known to fail during a hurricane. Roof sheathing panel spacing hints. 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.

The roof s sheathing helps to keep the roof trusses or rafters properly spaced and is the strength that holds. Roof sheathing is a lot more than just flat panels onto which shingles are attached. Keep these tips in mind when roofing in hurricane areas. Roof sheathing attaches to the surface of the rafters or trusses to form the structural skin of the roof.

A good sheathing job begins with proper rafter layout. During a hurricane the strength of the sheathing on the roof can greatly impact the homes ability to weather the storm. But laying out the rafters isn t as simple as duplicating the stud layout on the wall below. Use a 10d box 0 128 inch by 3 inch nail as a spacer to gauge 1 8 inch edge and end spacing between panels.

This video shows how some roofs fail under heavy winds in uplift situations.