Roof Decks … Why They’re Important

Every time an Orange County Roofer installs a new roof, this professional doesn’t just set down an arrangement of shingles. That, of course, is what outsiders see. In reality, however, the installation requires a multi-layer construction consisting of various components all working together. Among these components is a solid piece of wood known as a roof deck. Lying hidden below the shingles, a deck goes unseen by homeowners and passersby. Nevertheless, this component has a major function. In fact, it has several key functions.  

First, a roof deck provides necessary support to the roof. What it’s supporting are shingles, tiles, or any other elements lying on the visible surface. So, what would happen if this support were absent? Well, undoubtedly homeowners would notice a prominent sagging in the roof. Rarely an aesthetically pleasing feature. They’d probably also would notice a few dips here and there. Not only do these dips mar the visible beauty of a roof; they also create perfect spots for rainwater to accumulate and form pools. As you likely can guess, water collected in these pools eventually can leak into your favorite rooms.

A deck also extends the durability of a roof.  When an Orange County Roofing Company installs this component, they’re creating a rock solid support system that equally distributes the weight of rainfall across the roof’s surface. Obviously, this weight distribution function is even more important in regions where heavy snow might thud down onto rooftops. True, this weather event isn’t too likely in sunny California. Still, a strong deck is needed to support the roof against rain, wind, and other harsh meteorological phenomena known to occur in this vicinity.

For the energy conscious, a roof deck provides the added function of attic insulation. Here’s how that works -- in the wintertime, the deck helps the attic retain heat. Some of this warmth, of course, will find its way into your home, helping to maintain comfortable temperatures. In the summer, the opposite takes place. The deck serves as a buffer against heat, keeping it out of your home. Similar to any other form of insulation. Naturally, there’s a financial advantage to all this -- by regulating interior temperatures, a deck minimizes the seasonal use of heating or air conditioning. Therefore, it minimizes the costs associated with these temperature regulating mechanisms.

Generally, an Orange County Roofer will install a roof deck made of one of two types of materials. A solid plywood deck offers the advantage of moisture resistance. The material is ideally suited to homes in coastal areas or humidity-soaked locales.

Professional contractors also can install OSB (Oriented Strand Board) decking. This option is composed of wood strands bonded together by a strong adhesive. Because of its unique composition, OSB decking offers two distinct advantages. First, it’s less expensive than plywood, a feature that makes it particularly attractive to the budget conscious. Additionally, this material offers an environmental benefit – it is made of renewable wood.

Choosing the right decking really is a matter of determining the best fit for your situation. Which is why you’ll want to discuss this topic further with a local Orange County Roofing Company. It’s simple. Let’s say you reside in Irvine. OK, just reach out to an Irvine Roofer and delve deeper into the subject matter. It’ll be time well spent.  

If you have questions about roof decks, Luke Roofing can help. A long-established Orange County Roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential roofing and commercial roofing need. No matter where you live in OC, you can count on Luke Roofing for reliable roofing solutions.