Whether you’re replacing an old roof or finalizing a new construction, roof decking is an essential part of your roofing system. While other parts of your roofing system, like shingles or metal, get a lot of the focus when it’s time to install a new roof, roof decking is the foundation of any healthy roof.
If you’ve heard of roof decking but aren’t sure what it is or why it’s important, we’ve got you covered. As your local roofing partner, PITCH Roofing is here to answer all of your questions about Florida roofing. Keep reading as we explain decking and how it affects the rest of your structure!
What Is Roof Decking and How Does It Work?
While we often talk about shingle roofs or metal roofs, your roof is much more than just the material on top. There’s a whole system of supports and protections that work together to keep your roof functioning. Your roof decking is the base of this system, a series of wooden boards that the rest of your roof rests on top of.
Since your decking sits under the rest of your roof, it probably won’t have many issues. That doesn’t mean that it’s completely protected, though. Severe leaks that bypass your water-resistant underlayment can damage your decking and may even lead to rot. As you might imagine, any weakening in your decking could put your entire roofing system at risk.
This covers the basics of decking, but how well your decking performs will depend in large part on what it’s made out of. To help you plan your new roof, let’s look at some of your options!
Types of Roof Decking
In the vast majority of cases, roof decking is made of wood. There are exceptions, though, and several types of wood to choose from. If you’re getting a new roof installed, your roof decking material options include:
- Plywood: Plywood is the most popular decking material in Florida, largely thanks to its relative affordability and strength. For decking, these boards usually come in 4×8 sheets. This means damaged sections can easily be replaced without removing larger sections of your decking.
- Oriented Stand Board (OSB): This is one of the strongest roof decking material options on the market. To create these strong, resilient wooden boards, manufacturers press together wood strands and then use adhesives to reinforce their connections. The result is a sturdy material that will last for the life of your roof if it isn’t damaged.
- Particleboard: A much more budget-friendly option, particleboard is made from compressed wood chips and industrial adhesives. This isn’t as strong as plywood or OSB, largely because it’s less moisture-resistant.
- Metal Decking: The materials used in metal decking are usually steel, aluminum, or a combination of both. These metal sheets are hardy and offer unmatched strength, but they’re rarely chosen for decking because of their high costs. The exception to this is commercial structures that may need additional support.
There is no shortage of options when it comes to roof decking materials. And which one you choose will have long-lasting effects on your roof. But regardless of the type of decking you pick, damaged decking can lead to a lot of problems for your home. So how do you know when your decking has been damaged?
Signs of Damaged Decking
In general, it can be hard to tell when decking is damaged. That’s because it sits underneath the rest of your roof, so there’s no easy way to visually inspect your decking without removing a portion of your roof. Still, in some cases, you can spot signs of severe roof decking damage if you know what to look for.
Signs of damaged roof decking include:
- Water stains on the ceiling or interior walls
- Roof sagging
- Mold or mildew in your attic
- Roof leaks when it rains
If you see any of the above issues in your home, it’s important to act quickly. Damaged to your decking can spread without warning. And once it’s there, the only way to fix it is to remove a portion of your roof and replace the damaged sections. The more time damage has to spread, the more you can expect to pay for new decking!
What to Know About Roof Decking Costs
If you’re getting a roof replacement, any quote you get will likely depend on the state of your roof decking. Even with a professional inspection, roofers can’t see how your decking is holding up without removing part of your roof. This means that any roof replacement cost estimate will likely be off since contractors can’t know if they’ll need to replace your decking until they’re working on your roof.
Thankfully, this doesn’t usually affect the total roofing costs by much — usually a couple of hundred dollars at most. If large sections of your decking need to be replaced, though, the total price of your roof replacement can be significantly higher than anticipated. Realistically, if you haven’t seen any of the signs of damaged decking in your home, you shouldn’t count on damaged decking increasing the cost of your roof replacement by much.
Because of their simple manufacturing, most types of roof decking keep costs low. This means that you can count on a roof replacement quote to give you an accurate, reliable figure!
Get Your Free Roofing Quote
Whether you’re dealing with signs of water damage to your roof decking or it’s time to replace your roof, the next step is getting quotes from trusted contractors. As some of Florida’s most trusted roofers, we’re proud to offer free, no-hassle roofing quotes to our local community members!
To get your free roofing cost estimate, call our friendly team at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. We’ll then send a pro to look at your roof and determine how much your replacement or repair will cost. With an itemized quote that covers the full scope of work, we go the extra mile to make sure you have all the pricing information you need to make an informed decision!
Roof decking is a crucial part of your roofing system, so whether you’re dealing with an acute repair problem or need a full replacement, you can count on us to make sure that every part of your roofing system is in working order. Give the pros at PITCH a chance to earn your business, and we’ll show you local roofing done right!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
