Skip sheathing is the old style of roof deck made of wooden boards nailed across the rafters with gaps between them. It was built for wood shakes, which need air circulation. Asphalt shingles need a solid, continuous deck, so an older home with skip sheathing needs solid decking added before new shingles go on.
If you own an older house in Decatur, Bridgeport or anywhere in Wise County and are planning a new roof, call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045, day or night, or book a visit through our contact page so we can check what your roof is sitting on.
Why older roofs were built with gaps
Before asphalt shingles became the norm, many Texas houses were roofed with cedar shakes or wood shingles. Wood roofing lasts longer when air can reach it from underneath and dry it after a rain. Builders nailed boards, often one-by-four or one-by-six, across the rafters with open spaces between them. It used less lumber and let the shakes breathe.
Plenty of those homes were later reroofed with asphalt. Sometimes the old shakes were torn off and solid decking installed. Sometimes shingles were simply nailed over the shakes, or even straight onto the spaced boards. That shortcut is why spaced boards still turn up during replacements today.
Why shingles cannot go directly on skip sheathing
Nothing to nail into
Every asphalt shingle has to be nailed in a specific zone. Over gaps, some of those nails land in open air. The shingle is left held by fewer fasteners than it needs, and the first strong wind can lift or tear it.
No support under the shingle
Asphalt shingles are flexible. Without a solid surface, they sag into the gaps, crack when walked on and wear unevenly. Hail hitting an unsupported spot does more damage.
Manufacturer and code requirements
Shingle manufacturers require a solid deck for their warranties, and residential building codes call for asphalt shingles to be fastened to solidly sheathed decks. A roof put straight over spaced boards does not meet either.
How to tell if your house has spaced board decking
- From the attic: you see horizontal boards with gaps, and possibly the underside of old shakes or felt between them.
- Nail points: shingle nails poke down between the boards rather than through a flat sheet.
- Daylight: on a bright day you may see light through the gaps if the old roofing has deteriorated.
- Age and history: homes built before the 1970s, farmhouses and older houses in the rural parts of the county are more likely to have it.
- Wavy shingles: a roof that looks lumpy or ridged can be a sign shingles were laid over shakes or spaced boards.
An attic check during an inspection usually settles the question before any work begins. Even when the attic is hard to reach, the tear-off will reveal it, which is why it should be addressed in the estimate.
Handling skip sheathing in a roof replacement
Option one: sheathe over the existing boards
After tear-off, new plywood or OSB sheets are fastened through the old boards into the rafters. This is the most common approach. It keeps the old boards in place as extra support and adds only modest weight.
What has to be checked first
The old boards and rafters need to be sound, reasonably straight and free of rot. Any broken or decayed boards are replaced. Because the roof surface rises slightly, the drip edge, fascia, flashing at walls and chimney, and the gutters all need to be adjusted to the new height.
Option two: remove the boards
If the boards are badly damaged, uneven, or the rafters need repair, the old boards can be stripped and new sheets fastened directly to the rafters. It takes more labor but gives a clean, flat base and a chance to inspect every rafter.
Ventilation after the change
The open boards let air move freely under the old shakes. A solid deck closes that path, so the attic needs proper soffit intake and ridge exhaust afterward. Otherwise heat and moisture build up under the new deck.
For more on replacing decking, see our roof decking replacement guide. If your home is older or has historic character, our article on historic home roof replacement covers other details worth planning.
What goes into the quote
Every house is different, so we do not publish prices. Tell us about yours and we will give you a clear, written quote. The main factors are roof size and pitch, whether decking goes over or replaces the boards, the condition of the rafters, how many layers of old roofing come off, and edge, flashing and ventilation work. A good estimate states plainly how skip sheathing will be handled, so there are no surprises on tear-off day.
Reroofing older homes with Cannon Roofing
Cannon Roofing has worked on Wise County homes since 1994, from old farmhouses in Alvord to early ranch houses in Decatur. Our roof replacement process starts with a free inspection and estimate, including an attic check. Our factory-trained crews, all holding the Technician Seal of Safety, handle the tear-off, new decking, ventilation and flashing as one job.
Frequently asked questions
Can a metal roof go over spaced boards?
Some metal panels can be installed over spaced supports, depending on the product and its requirements. Many residential metal systems still call for solid decking, so this is checked case by case.
Does adding decking make the roof too heavy?
Usually not. The added sheathing is light compared with the roofing itself. Rafters are checked for sagging or damage before work begins.
Will my insurance pay to add solid decking?
Some policies include code-upgrade coverage that may help when solid decking is required. Coverage varies, so check your policy and ask your adjuster.
Ready to find out what is under your old roof? Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045, day or night. We will inspect the attic and roof and walk you through a written plan for new decking and shingles. Our contact page is also available.