Roof sheathing - why isnt it done in the UK?

edgex

Roof sheathing - why isnt it done in the UK?

something thats used on the majority of houses in the US, but not seen in the UK, is roof sheathing, a layer of plywood or other material layed over the roof trusses (pics below)


how come we dont do it?
presumably, as it makes the roof structure more box like, it increases the strength & stability of the roof
it might also have some thermal/sound insulation value, as its another layer/barrier between inside & outside

ormus

maybe its cause they dont use slates nor tiles.
nor bricks to any great degree. they like wood. they have lots of it.

their whole house building/buying method is different.
you tend to buy a plot and order a house. it comes delivered on a lorry.
erected in 4 days.

baldelectrician

OSB board is the normal in Scotland- that's why when there are >100 mph winds up here most roofs stay on.

molerat

Looks like a normal house to me, either OSB sheets on newer build or planks (sarking) used here.

leveller2911

Agree with other posters, in the US they use bitumen shingles which are nailed directly on the ply.We use to "close board" roofs more here but TBH theres no advantage when using slates and tiles other than bracing .It adds very little in the way of thermal and sound insulation.

Canucklehead

Snow load and ice damming.

Canucklehead

diable

Maybe because the UK is 20 years behind everyone else. The UK used to be leaders in construction but now we are followers.

Inactive

I think I prefer our concrete tiles and brick walls to the US shed type construction.

Look what happens to them when they get severe weather.

baldelectrician

molerat wrote: »

Looks like a normal house to me, either OSB sheets on newer build or planks (sarking) used here.

I concur, I go to tenement flats that are over 100 years old and they have sarking boards below the tiles- it is a Scotland specific thing in the UK, my mate lives in Northern Ireland and they don't do that there

27col

I believe that the use of sarking boards is compulsory in Scotland, probably because they get stronger winds. In England we use sarking felt. In the US and Canada they have to use boards because of the rubbishy strips of tarred shingles that are used to cover roofs. I think that on balance I prefer the use of concrete interlocking tiles. No reason why you should not have boards as well as concrete tiles if you are prepared to pay the extra.

Inactive

27col wrote: »

I believe that the use of sarking boards is compulsory in Scotland, probably because they get stronger winds. In England we use sarking felt. In the US and Canada they have to use boards because of the rubbishy strips of tarred shingles that are used to cover roofs. I think that on balance I prefer the use of concrete interlocking tiles. No reason why you should not have boards as well as concrete tiles if you are prepared to pay the extra.

Indeed, similar stuff to what I have on my shed.

I don't expect that to last ten years.