Roofing forms an essential part of making a building. In the US, where wooden structures are common, building a roof involves arranging wooden planks and boards to make the roof. Roofing is a skilled process, and you need to know about the various techniques required and how to select suitable types of wood for roofing.
At the end the roofing process, you will place roof tiles on top of the framework. Hence, building a roof consists of many different components like the roof foundation, rafters, ridges, beams, and pillars, which all come together to make the frame. In this post, we take a closer look at the various types of wood for roofing to identify the best wood for roofing that you can get.
Best Wood for Roofing
The various components of a roof call for using different wood types, each one specifically suited to a particular part of the roof. The wood for the rafters used in the decking is other than the wood used for the underlayment and while adding the tiles. The type of wood you use depends on the wood you use for your tiles. Each type of wood has a particular set of specifications, and you need to use some smart engineering to execute the job correctly. Here are a few of the main types of wood you may use for roofing:
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) comes under the category of “engineered wood.” It consists of layers and strands of different types of wood compressed together into the shape of boards. Armin Elmendorf of California invented OSB in 1963. OSB shares similarity with plywood in that the board consists of different layers, compressed and glued together to form a single panel.
The layers of OSB are also treated with wax to make the material waterproof. We usually use OSB for tiling that will not have to bear a heavy load. The disadvantage of this material is that it can get punctured under high pressure.
Plywood
Similar to OSB, we also make plywood from various types of wood. However, unlike OSB, you will see grain patterns in the material. Plywood consists of several layers of wood veneer glued together to make a single board. You can get boards of different thicknesses depending on the number of layers that make up the material.
Each layer is arranged so that the grain pattern is at right angles to each successive layer. The positioning of the grain patterns gives plywood incredible strength and toughness, and it cannot split even if hammered hard or when screws or nails are driven into it.
White Oak
We consider white oak as a reliable type of wood for use in various parts of building construction and roofing. This wood is good to look at and is also extremely durable. White oak exhibits a higher durability level than red oak when it comes to making a roof. The light color of the wood allows you to stain it in different colors, which comes in useful if you want your roof’s exterior to match the other parts of the house.
Red Cedar
Red cedar plays a prominent role in construction projects, mainly thanks to its high-level resistance to rot and insect attack. It is not only classic in looks but also comes at a reasonable price. Cedar also acts as a suitable thermal insulator, thanks to the wood’s lack of pith and resin. It changes color as it ages, which is an added advantage because it changes to a darker and more attractive color.
Eastern White Pine
Eastern white pine enjoys wide popularity because it is an easy wood to work with. It is also sought after for making crates, boxes, and boats. We usually use eastern white pine for making shingles. The wood is light-colored, which enables you to stain it in a suitable color. Like red cedar, eastern white pine also has some excellent insulating properties, saving money on energy bills with a roof made of this wood.
Preventing Issues with Your Roof Deck
Problems with roof decking are inevitable, but you can reduce and even eliminate them. Here are a few useful tips that may help you to minimize roof deck problems to a minimum:
Prevention of Moisture
One of the significant issues you may encounter is moisture, which is the prime culprit of damage to roofing. When moisture gets inside the wood’s surface, the panels may take in water and start to swell. You can prevent this from happening by controlling the wood from moving. If you do the underlayment of the roof tiles appropriately, you can minimize moisture seepage.
Prompt Installation of Underlayment
Another good tip for keeping your roofing wood panels dry is to install the underlayment immediately. The longer you expose the decks to the elements, the sooner they will start to deteriorate.
Choice of Wood
If you choose unsuitable wood for your roofing, no number of preventive measures will save the roof’s ultimate deterioration. The types of wood that we have discussed here are just some of the various types of wood you can use for roofing. These varieties have properties suitable for building roofs. If you select your roofing wood correctly, you can prevent problems from recurring.
Combining Materials
You can also try combining different materials with your roofing wood to add to the roof’s durability and strength. There are many composite materials like plastics and polymers which you can use for roofing.
Waterproofing Your Roof
Once the roof has been installed, an essential step in finishing the job is to provide adequate waterproofing. You can use caulking material, and you will find a variety of waterproofing materials at your local hardware or building supplies store.
Conclusion
Many types of wood are suitable for use commercially in roofing. Now that you are aware of the best types of wood for roofing, you can get the best out of your roofing projects by choosing suitable wood. It is critical to consider the type of wood you select that will withstand the weather in your area to build a reliable roof with a long life.