For a roof to be able to shield you from the elements, it must be strong enough to support the weight of the shingles. Its thickness depends a lot on the size of the rafters. There are other factors though, including the sheathing and shingles. Roofer Chicks®, the area’s most trusted roofing expert, discusses them here.
Rafters
Rafters are the beams that support the weight of the roof sheathing and shingles. Their sizes and thickness (2-by-4 to 2-by-12) depend upon the pitch of the roof and its span. The larger ones are always used for greater lengths or lower-pitch roofs.
Trusses
Trusses are not as thick as rafters. They are several wood members that support a heavier load than a similar size rafter. Their dimensions depend upon the roof replacement engineer’s specs for the roof. In general, a 2-by-4 roof truss will support as much roof load as a 2-by-6 or 2-by-8 rafter.
Sheathing
Standard roof sheathing consists of 4-by-8 plywood or oriented strand board, or OSB. It is 1/2-inch thick and attaches to the roof rafters or trusses. An exception may occur if you intend to install slate, concrete or tile shingles. To support the added weight, you need to install 5/8 inch roof sheathing.
Shingles
Asphalt shingles add very little thickness to the roof. A standard three-tab shingle is only about 3/16-inch thick. When installed, however, they overlap, doubling the thickness. Wood, cedar shake, and tile are thicker, depending upon the brand of shingles you select. Metal roofing is thinner, corrugated or standing seam, which increases its height by 1 to 2 inches. Whichever type you choose, we can do the right installation and roof repairs for you.
Roofer Chicks® prides itself on providing thorough and reliable service. Our crew is well-versed in all types of roof installation and repairs. We have been serving San Antonio, TX, and other nearby towns for over 15 years. Call us today at (830) 627-7663 or fill out our contact form