Roof sheathing material and attic plywood is a hidden underscore but a cornerstone of your roof structure. It’s never seen from the curb, and we rarely visit them unless we see leaks forming on our roof. However, because they’re professionals, experienced and reliable Clinton Township MI roofers definitely know the right amount to replace roof sheathing material accurately.
On the other hand, some unscrupulous contractors can charge you quite highly without your knowledge. Some of them will claim the replacement is paramount because your wooden roof structures have started to crumble and weaken. In turn, the “rush job” will require them to prioritize your roof and raise the price. Is this proper practice? CAA Quebec has a great case study about this — with the right resolution.
Roof Sheathing Material Repairs: A Case Study
A typical case
The Smiths need to replace their asphalt roof shingles. They get estimates from three roofing contractors, all for the same brand of shingles, and choose the one with the lowest price.
A few hours after the work begins, the Dutoits are told that new plywood sheathing needs to be installed over the entire roof surface, otherwise, the job can’t be warrantied. That unexpected extra is going to double the price of the job! The roof is already partly stripped, and the contractor says they have to make a decision fast. The Smiths feel cornered—and rightly so! Things could—and should—have been handled differently.
Questionable practices at the estimate stage
These kinds of add-ons, after the repair job has begun, are unfortunately commonplace. To be sure of getting the job, some contractors employ the devious practice of submitting an incomplete estimate—and therefore quoting a lower price than their competitors. The customer is then hit with a string of “extras.” (Continued)
How much should you actually pay to service or completely replace roof sheathing material? Plywood isn’t too expensive. Usually, the prices depend on the manufacturer’s factory rates. Most distributors add their transport and distribution figures that raise the cost effectively.
Some other issues can raise the price of roof sheathing material repair or replacement. Rotten decking will require additional labor to completely tear off the roof material and plywood and replace it with fresh plywood. Inadequate decking is the plywood thickness isn’t enough and may not be enough to carry the asphalt shingle or dense metal material such as standing seam metal’s weight. Modernize has a great estimate on figures you’ll need to spend on replacing roof decking.
How Much Should I Expect to Spend to Replace Roof Decking?
Your roofer should charge you only for the labor and materials used for a roofing project. A standard piece of plywood roofing sheathing measures 4 x 8 feet, and anywhere from ¼ of an inch to ⅝-inch thick. The thicker the plywood your roofer uses, the more expensive the job will be. Your price could vary depending on how much the roofing company charges for labor, but generally you can expect to spend between $70 to $100 for each sheet of plywood.
A 4 x 8 sheet of plywood covers about 32 square feet of roof area—and the average roof measures about 3,000 square feet. That means new decking could potentially add several thousand dollars to your roofing project. (Continued)
If your asphalt shingles or old roof material has begun to decay and gone missing, it’s easy for most Clinton Township MI homeowners to think of going DIY in replacing their roof sheathing material and the material itself. However, it’s possible you will face high expenses because of trial and error or having to tear off and replace your roof once again due to a bad roof deck installation.
Roofing Calculator has its own roof deck installation cost estimates and a case-by-case analysis of bad roofing including decking. This will greatly help you make a definite decision on your roof sheathing material servicing.
Finding the Right Roof Sheathing Material
As was the case on this roof, dry rotted 3/8″ plywood would not hold the nails even if they were long enough – you could pull them out by hand – that is how weak it was. This means that you MUST replace old roofing plywood. Here is approximately how much different options cost:
5/8 inch – $26.87 per sheet. This is the BEST product to use, because its very sturdy and high quality. If there is water damage it will preform significantly better than the 1/2 plywood. Note, that when you buy in bulk, the price drops to $24.18 per sheet. Bulk pricing is for at least 58 sheets or 18.5 squares. If your roof is smaller than this, you can still request the pro to buy 58 sheets, and use what is left over for other home improvement projects.
1/2 inch – 24.85 per sheet. This is what most people use, and its ok quality. However, think about it this way: the difference in price between this and 5/8″ is $2 per sheet or $6 per roof square. If the total job is 20 squares, the total material price difference is only $120 dollars, and you will be getting a significantly better quality material. Bulk pricing for 1/2 inch is $22.37 per sheet, and you need to buy 70 sheets.
OSB roof sheathing – about 60% cheaper than standard plywood.. While its allowed by code, we strongly advise against using OSB for sheathing. The minute any moisture gets in, its starts to break apart within 2-3 months. Then, you will need to do expensive repairs, and will actually waste hundreds of dollars in the end. (Read More)
Remember, excellent roof sheathing material repairs and replacement require an exceptional and experienced roofing professional in Clinton Township MI to make it last the longest possible time. If you have yet to find one, you can count on Miller’s Home Improvement to help you. We have decades of roofing experience servicing local properties in our area. Know more about what we can do for you today!
