Sheathing A Roof Layout

A good sheathing job begins with proper rafter layout.

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. Roof sheathing attaches to the surface of the rafters or trusses to form the structural skin of the roof. A tapered piece of sheathing can be cut to fill in at the eave if necessary. Roof sheathing panel spacing hints.

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. This video shows how some roofs fail under heavy winds in uplift situations. To minimize waste and to simplify cutting the sheathing courses should begin either with full or half sheets.

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. Sheath one slope of the roof at a time ripping the top course to the needed width at the ridge. But laying out the rafters isn t as simple as duplicating the stud layout on the wall below. Spacer type panel edge clips are available from some manufacturers.

The connection between the roof sheathing and the structure is a vulnerable point that is known to fail during a hurricane.