Nailing Sheathing On Roofs

Method for maintaining a continuous load path at the roof ridge by nailing roof sheathing.

Nailing sheathing on roofs.

Nailing accuracy is crucial along this member. The problem exists because nail sizes and spacing used to attach the sheathing to the roof s structural members rafters or trusses do not provide enough strength to keep the sheathing on. Check the nailing surface is level. Roof jacks provide safe platforms on sloped roofs.

The number of nails needed for a roof varies on multiple factors such as board face width length and roof truss spacing. Can screws be used instead of nails for attaching wall sheathing to framing. Starting with how to place the first row of sheathing we cover fastening methods the use of h clips stagg. Keep these tips in mind when roofing in hurricane areas.

Never attach roof sheathing with staples. The typical thickness range for sheathing is 3 8 to 3 4 inch. The requirement became effective on october 1 2007. Although the heads are broad roofing nails are short their shank diameters are small and their heads pop off easily.

A structure s roof truss spacing can vary from every 12 to 24 inches. Roof sheathing comes in grid marked 4 by 8 foot sheets and should be installed perpendicular to the frame. 8d ring shank nails should be used instead. The critical fasteners occur at the gable framing member not necessarily at the edge of the sheathing.

The connection between the roof sheathing and the structure is a vulnerable point that is known to fail during a hurricane. Roof sheathing and the gable truss. There is a common misconception in the building industry that screws always outperform nails when attaching wood to wood. Properly fasten panels including fastening and spacing hints.

Use 10d to 16d common nails and drive them through the roof sheathing and into the framing see the photo. They attach to the roof with nails but don t use roofing nails. When you replace a roof on a home that was built before the implementation of the statewide florida building code on march 1 2002 the nailing of the roof sheathing decking must be brought up to current standards for hurricane resistance as part of the installation of the new roof. It s true that screws have a highly effective withdrawal resistance which makes them excellent fasteners for tasks such as avoiding squeaks.

Sheathing should be a minimum of 19 32 inch thick. This video shows how some roofs fail under heavy winds in uplift situations. Roe osborn a senior editor at jlc responds. Ventilate the roof according to current building codes.

Follow these five simple construction steps for roof sheathing and scroll down to see more details on each with installation hints and tips below. During a hurricane the strength of the sheathing on the roof can greatly impact the homes ability to weather the storm.