Attaching Plywood For Roof Sheathing? Screws?

sandyman720

What size and type of screws are best to attach plywood over roof rafters?

Grumpy

Screws? I've never used screws on plywood. Why not nails? Usually 8 penny.

reveivl

I use 2" galv ring shank nails out of the spiker.

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nixfix

we use atleast 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" screws to put down 1/2" inch plywood or OSB, but most of the time we use 2 3/8" coated coil nails also known as #8's for hand nailing.

MJW

A sheathing stapler is the fastest. That is all that is used here. Use 8's or 16's to tack them, then hit 'em with the stapler.

thom

yup, that's the way it's done here also. Just don't skimp on the staples.

theroofinggod

coil nailer,use ring shank 8d,screws don`t have the same strength,specially if a tree hits the decking the screws will break the nails won`t

2ndGen

Ditto TRG.

Coil gun it with 8D nails.

Fast, cheap and strongest way to go.

Ed the Roofer

I follow the code requirements and the spacing and attachment methods listed by the APA, American Plywood Association.

8 penny coil nails, usually with ring shank and spacing with clips or at least a 10 penny nail.

12 " OC on interior sheet rafters and 6 " OC on exterior perimeter rafters of each sheet.

Ed

MJW

Well, when we use staples up here, they are about 2 inches apart if that, in most spots. I'm sure they'll hold just fine.
Higher wind areas of the country may require ring shank nails though. I'm not sure.

troubleseeker

Never screwed the plywood roof decking on. 2" (8d) galvanized ring shanks with a nail gun. Believe me, you don't want to have to remove one of these sheets when fastened at the proper nail spacing.

I personally do not like staples because I don't have any confidence in the longevity of the wire gauge.

tinner666

Don't trust any fastener driven 1/2way through the decking!
Sometimes, all the holding power is concentrated in the bottom ply! Less than 1/8" of material!

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theroofinggod

yeah ,I think the head on the nail ,is the "coup de grace"

glenndacho

osb stiffer than plywood ?

MrRoofer

Things have changed a lot in over three years eh?

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Bastien1337

I use screws but then again i dont do much roofing usually repairs for small areas or maybe if its part of a small deck job. i just go with that cos ive got em out already.

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Sebastian

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Roofsafe

I walked on a plywood sheathed deck a few years ago after getting used to the OSB decks, there was so much popping and snapping of the wood that I didn't know if I wanted to go to the ridge or just get back down and let someone else do the roof. I had to talk myself into staying up there because this was a regular customer. The CDX plywood wasn't as strong as I remembered it being in the past, my first trip off the roof was aboard a sheet of plywood just laying on the deck, what a ride. That was also my first day on the job in construction.
Anyway, I did the roof but I think I'll stick with OSB sheathing, there aren't any voids that I have ever found, and it seems to be stronger than 1/2 inch plywood, unless you buy 5/8 or 3/4 inch stuff. But the Canadian stuff is the best.

JumboJack

What in the world is up with all the zombie threads latley....

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

rjconstructs

This seems to be a beginners question. How long have you been doing construction?

jmiller

three.year.old.thread.