How to Install a Roof Deck & Base Sheet

Sheathing

• 1

  Start the panel installation at one of the bottom corners of the roof. Place the panel into position with the long side perpendicular to the rafters. Position the panel flush with the bottom of the rafters. Ensure that the panel ends over a rafter.

• 2

  Fasten the panels to the rafters using 8d nails. Space the nails 6 inches apart on the ends and 6 inches apart over the rafters in the middle.

• 3

  Leave a space of 1/2 inch for the wood to expand when you place the next plywood panel. Do this for every panel as you work.

• 4

  Continue placing panels across the row. Cut the panel at the end of the row to length with a circular saw.

• 5

  Cut one of the 8-foot panels to a length of 4 feet to ensure that the rows are staggered. Start the next row with this piece of sheathing, then use 8-foot panels for the rest of the row. Continue in the same way working up to the top of the roof, ensuring that the joints between panels in abutting rows do not align.

Drip

• 6

  Install the drip edge flashing, the metal strip along the bottom of the roof that helps to prevent leaks. Place a strip of the metal flush with the roof sheathing at the eaves on a corner.

• 7

  Hammer 7/8-inch roofing nails to fasten the material to the plywood, placing a nail at every rafter. Continue along the same manner.

• 8

  Cut a piece of the drip edge to length with snips when you reach the end of the row. Wait until you have applied the roofing felt to install the drip edges for the sides of the roof.

Roofing Felt

• 9

  Obtain a helper to assist you in laying the roofing felt. Have the helper hold the roll of felt and unroll about 5 feet of material along the the bottom row of sheathing. Overlap the eaves by 6 inches.

• 10

  Smooth out the felt and position it square with the sheathing. Use a staple gun to fasten it to the sheathing. Continue across the row working with 5-foot sections of felt. Overlap the rakes, or sides, by 2 inches.

• 11

  Start the second row and overlap the first row by 2 inches. Continue in this way to the top of the roof. Overlap the ridge by 6 inches and fasten the overlap to the other side of the roof.