What Is Plank Decking?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Wood decking is created using structural boards or planks and attaching them to joists, beams, rafters, or trusses to form a floor or roof surface. Similar to sheathing, the boards act to provide lateral support to the structure and carry the live and dead loads from above to the floor or roof structure below.

What is roof planking?

Roof decking, also called sheathing, is

the foundation of your roofing system that connects the roof to your house

. It’s the base that lays on top of the structural trusses—the “bones” of your attic—to cover the rafters and support the weight of the roofing shingles.

What planks to use for decking?


Redwood, cedar, and cypress

, as well as the exotic species, are good choices, but since most decking boards from domestic woods are sapwood and not rot-resistant, you should treat them. For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s.

What is spaced decking on a roof?

Spaced Sheathing, also called Skipped Decking, refers to

the construction details of the substrate which the cedar gets nailed to and thus secured to your home

.

When should I Redeck my roof?

If you are having your roof changed from wooden shakes or shingles to asphalt shingles, you will need to redeck

over the old decking

to bring your home up to code.

What is the most common decking for residential roofs?

Sheet decking


OSB (oriented strand board)

is the most common type of decking used on roofs today. It’s made up of wood chips/strips compressed together to form a flat 7/16” sheet. Plywood comes in several different thicknesses (3⁄8”, 1⁄2”, 5⁄8”, and 3⁄4”) depending on the span of the rafters.

Is OSB better than plywood?


Osb is stronger than plywood in shear

. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.

Can I build a deck with 2×4?

The short answer is

yes

. 2x4s can work for deck joists. … 2x4s are the smallest dimensional option, making them great for low, ground-level decking if they’re spaced no further than 12” on center. “On center” is the term to measure from one joist to the next, starting from one center to the center of another.

What is the longest lasting deck material?


Aluminum and Steel


Aluminum decking

is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years. Steel decking can have a lifespan of 60+ years when correctly installed by a professional builder.

What is the best wood to use for a deck?

Overall, our experts at Patio Productions recommend

Cedar or Redwood

as the best wood choice for outdoor decks. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, pressure treated wood is your next best option.

What is the difference between sheathing and decking?

In short, roof decking, also know as roof sheathing, is the foundation of any roof. It is the supporting wood, concrete, steel or other material that the shingles or tiles are placed on. Typically made of wood, concrete, or steel, roof decking is the protective layer that acts as a seal for your home.

How thick should roof decking be?

Roof sheathing comes in grid-marked 4-by-8-foot sheets and needs to be installed perpendicular to the frame. Sheathing must be a minimum of 19/32-inch thick. Never affix roof sheathing with staples; 8d ring-shank nails need to be used instead. The normal thickness range for sheathing is

3/8 to 3/4 inch

.

How many bundles of shingles does it take to cover 2000 square feet?

The number of bundles or squares you need will depend on the surface area of your roof, and its pitch or slope. For example, a 2,000 square foot roof will require 20 squares or

60 bundles

.

How much does it cost to re deck a roof?

Extending a roof over a deck runs anywhere from

$3,000 to $10,000

. However, the size of the cover and materials determine the final price.

Can you put new roof sheathing over old?

Although I

don

‘t think installing new plywood roof sheathing over the old would be a grave mistake, I would not recommend doing it, for several reasons. The new plywood will have to be nailed to the rafters or roof trusses. … The result could be a poorly attached roof surface, more vulnerable to wind damage.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.