Guide to Roof Sheathing

Starting with straight and square rafters is key to making this job go smoothly.

You're 30 ft. in the air, walking on narrow framing members and handling sheets of plywood that'll catch the wind like canvas sails. You'd better know what you're doing.

There's more to it than just deciding between solid sheathing and open sheathing.

Tips from a professional carpenter can help you acquire this basic building skill.

Whenever I'm nailing down the first row of plywood on a roof that will have soffits, I use a pair of jigs shown in the drawing to position the panels.…

A ramp made of 2x6s is a safe, practical way to haul sheets of sheathing up to the rafters.

The PlyScaf storage rack puts sheathing where you need it on the job site.

Radiant-barrier roof sheathing keeps attics cool in hot climates.

Overdriving nails is faster and cleaner than pulling them out with a cat's paw.

A synthetic-mesh underlayment allows continuous airflow between the roof deck and the shingles.

If you're cutting sheathing on the job site, you're going to need some sturdy saw horses. Here's a guide to choosing the best ones for you.

Safety should be one of your top concerns when working on a roof. Learn how to implement the options that match the conditions of your project.