Sheathing A Roof Layout

A tapered piece of sheathing can be cut to fill in at the eave if necessary.

Sheathing a roof layout.

Spacer type panel edge clips are available from some manufacturers. 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. This video shows how some roofs fail under heavy winds in uplift situations.

Sheath one slope of the roof at a time ripping the top course to the needed width at the ridge. A good sheathing job begins with proper rafter layout. Keep these tips in mind when roofing in hurricane areas. 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. Roof sheathing attaches to the surface of the rafters or trusses to form the structural skin of the roof. 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. To minimize waste and to simplify cutting the sheathing courses should begin either with full or half sheets.

During a hurricane the strength of the sheathing on the roof can greatly impact the homes ability to weather the storm.