Southern Yellow Pine Plywood Roofing Problems

Installation Problems

• Unlike other woods used for roofing, southern yellow pine doesn’t snap or break easily, so to cut shingles to size, contractors will need to have a table saw on top of the roof. This can be cumbersome, but it could also be a safety concern. The shingles are narrower than other wood shingles, and this means they take longer to install and use more materials. The shingles are often longer, though, so this will save money overall.

Weather Resistance

• Yellow pine isn’t as resistant to climate conditions as other woods. Yellow pine is known to cup — meaning the boards will warp — under wet conditions. In areas of heat and humidity, the yellow pine shingles will move more, and this is a problem if they aren’t properly or carefully installed. Even though the yellow pine shingles don’t tolerate all weather conditions well, they’re still better at climate problems than cedar, another popular wood choice. Despite its somewhat durable nature, yellow pine will discolor and turn to a silver-grayish color within a year, according to This Old House.

Chemical Additives

• Because yellow pine doesn’t do well with water, manufacturers add a chemical additive that works as a water repellent. However, this repellent could break down, which will make the roof susceptible to rot and leakage. Chromated Copper Arsenate is added to the wood to protect against mold, insects, fungus and rot. Like other chemical applications, these chemical additives could impact the environment and your heath. Also, they will increase the cost of roofing with southern yellow pine.

Lack of Standards

• The National Roofing Contractors Association claims that there are no ASTM International standards for wood roofing materials. Because of this, the quality of yellow pine roofing materials will vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. The NRCA recommends wood roofing with a minimum of No. 1 grade. If you purchase yellow pine, ask the manufacturer what the warranty for the wood is. Get a certificate with this warranty information. Some manufacturers will offer a 50-year warranty for their yellow pine roofing, which is longer than other wood roofing options. Also, the contractor should provide you with a warranty that will cover defects from installation.