Roof decking
Roof decking repair and replacement in Atlanta
The deck is what the shingles are nailed to. When it rots, nails stop holding, the roof dips between rafters, and new shingles laid over it fail early.
- Calls answered 24/7
- Rotted wood replaced, never covered
- Atlanta service office
Quick answer
Roof decking replacement in Atlanta means cutting out plywood, OSB or plank boards that have rotted or delaminated, usually from a slow leak or poor attic ventilation, and installing new sheathing before the roof goes back on. Soft decking is almost always found at tear-off, so it is quoted as a per-sheet allowance, and structural roof repairs in the city need a permit.
The work
Why decking rots, and why it matters
Decking fails from water on one side or the other: a leak that soaked it from above for months, or attic moisture condensing on it from below. OSB swells and loses strength when wet; plywood delaminates in layers. Either way, nails pull out and the roof starts to dip between rafters.
Shingling over soft decking is the fastest way to ruin a new roof, because nails that cannot grip let shingles lift in the first strong wind.
Updated September 2026
Cost
What decides the cost of decking work
Decking is usually quoted per sheet as an allowance, because the true amount is only known once the old roof is off.
- Sheets replaced
Counted at tear-off, billed per sheet.
- Sheathing type
Plywood or OSB of matching thickness.
- Plank overlay
Full overlay on gapped plank decks.
- Rafter repair
Sistering or replacing damaged framing.
- Permit
Structural repairs need one.
- Access
Steep or tall roofs slow the work.
Rotted plywood and OSB
Most newer homes have plywood or OSB sheathing in 4 by 8 sheets. We cut out every soft or delaminated section back to the rafters, replace it with sheathing of matching thickness so the new roof lies flat, and fasten it with the nailing pattern the code expects. H-clips go between sheets where the span calls for them. Any board that feels soft under a boot gets replaced, because it is far cheaper to do now than after the new shingles are down.
Plank decking on older homes
Older homes often have 1 by 6 or 1 by 8 plank boards instead of sheets, sometimes with gaps between them that were meant for wood shakes. Modern shingles need a solid surface, so gapped planks either get new plywood laid over them or the rotted boards are replaced and the whole deck is overlaid. We check the planks from the attic, replace any that are split or rotted at the eaves, and choose the approach that keeps the roof line straight.
Decking after a fire or tree strike
A limb through the roof or fire damage leaves decking broken, charred or weakened well beyond the visible hole. We cut back to wood that is sound and dry, check the rafters beneath for cracks or char, and sister or replace framing before new sheathing goes down. The opening is dried in the same day so the house stays protected while framing is sorted out. For insurance, every broken sheet and damaged rafter is photographed before removal, because once it is gone it cannot be shown.
What turns up under Atlanta roofs
A slow roof leak can soak decking for months before any stain appears inside, and published Atlanta pricing notes that hidden water damage found during a replacement can add a few thousand dollars to the job. That is why decking is quoted as an allowance rather than guessed. When the rot reaches the structure, Atlanta requires a building permit through the Department of City Planning for structural roof repairs, which we pull before the framing work starts.
Timeline
How much time decking adds to a roof job
Decking replacement happens during tear-off, so on a replacement it usually adds hours, not days: rotten sheets come out and new ones go down before the underlayment. The deck is never left open overnight. When the rot turns out to reach the rafters, the framing repair comes first, and the schedule change is explained before anything else is opened.
How it runs
How decking replacement runs
- 1
Attic check first
Stains and soft areas mapped from below.
- 2
Allowance in the quote
Per-sheet price written in before work.
- 3
Tear-off
Old shingles and felt removed.
- 4
Walk and mark
Every soft sheet found and marked.
- 5
Replace and fasten
New sheathing nailed to code.
- 6
Photos before closing
Old and new decking documented.
Warning signs
Signs the decking under your roof is failing
Soft spots underfoot
The roof gives when walked on.
Sagging between rafters
Dips visible from the street.
Dark or delaminated wood
Seen from the attic side.
Nails backing out
Shingles lifting along nail lines.
Daylight at board edges
Gaps opening in the attic.
Musty, damp attic
Moisture soaking the deck from below.
FAQ
Roof decking questions
Soft spots when walked on, sagging between rafters and dark or delaminated wood in the attic are the usual signs.
For small areas, yes: we remove the shingles over the rotted section, replace the sheathing and reshingle. Large areas are better done with a replacement.
Rot hides under shingles. A per-sheet price tells you what each sheet costs before anyone knows how many there are.
Both meet code. Plywood tolerates brief wetting better; OSB is uniform and common. We match what the roof needs.
Poor attic ventilation. Warm, moist air condenses on the cold deck, so fixing ventilation is part of the job.
Yes. Cracked or rotted rafters are sistered or replaced before new sheathing goes on.
Related
Work that usually goes with new decking
Skylight Installation & Repair
Skylight replacement during a re-roof, skylight leak repair and more.
Learn moreMetal Roof Installation
Covers exposed-fastener metal panels and metal over existing shingles.
Learn moreSolar Panel Removal & Reinstall
Solar leak repair, plus panel removal before a re-roof.
Learn moreSoft spots on your roof?
Call and we will check the deck from the attic and the roof, and tell you how much really needs replacing.