I have a house (on Long Island NY) with a roof of 1 1/8 inch homosote (covered with composition shingles) over exposed rafters and would like to add more insulation. I like the look of the exposed rafters inside and one suggestion is to add several inches of ridgid insulation to the top of the homosote (stripping the shingles first) and then 1/2 ply and new shingles. Does anyone have experience with this sort of job. The other alternative that comes to mind is to remove the homosote and use stress skin panels or ?. The homosote is mostly in good condition — a few panels need replacement due to water damage. As homosote is basically cardboard perhaps it’s not the best choice for roof decking! Please advise.
Thanks,
Joel
Replies
joel.... we went over a metal roofed A-frame with insulated panels
find an R-Control franchise near you ( google on R-Control )
they make a 3" panel with 3/4" routed channels and osb bonded to the top
you apply it with 5" screws and hold-down plates, then roof over it
it will boost the R-value by about 10
so your total assembly will wind up about R-13
if you want to ( or have to ) remove the Homosote, you could change to stress skin panels about 10" deep for a better R-value
http://www.homasote.com/tnb.html
What do you have or a structural sheathing?
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Homasote roof decking is structural.
I see - so is it nothing but thick homasote or is it bonded, kayered with ply or osb?
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http://www.homasote.com/ep.html
thick homasoteMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
mental block. I shiver in fear at the thought of walking on homasote, or trying to get roof nails to hold down in wind on it.
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You mean the whole roof deck is composed only of thick homasote on the framing members with shingles nailed to it?
Edited 9/10/2006 2:29 pm ET by rez
it sounds like that's what they are talking about!
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Have you ever seen or heard of a roof like that anywhere?
I'm thinking there has got to be more up there than just the homasote and this is just an error in communication.
I think.
I hope.
be hoping
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POP QUIZQuestion: Why is Homasote the color grey?Answer: Because it is made from recycled newspaper and the grey color comes from the ink! Does that make it sound like it's safer to walk on?View Image
Edited 9/10/2006 5:26 pm ET by jocobe
The stuff has been around for 30 years.
If it was a problem I'm sure it would have been discovered by now.
Sorry, I'm thinking that if it were all that good, it would be more widely used. I researched panels for a special job a couple years ago and came up with a product made by the Homasote company, but it used a plywood skin I think. I'm just trying to ID what we are talking about before recommending how to go about adding insulation etc.Count me as having a mental block. My mind keeps telling me that theerre is no way in hell that regular Homasote can hold roof nails for twenty years without the shingles blowing off. As for me walking on it...Whaddya tryin' tadoo? Kill me!;)
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i remember structural homosote.. it was about 2 " thick and was T&G. good nail base too
http://www.homasote.com/ep.html
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Edited 9/10/2006 11:55 pm ET by MikeSmith
To all:
Believe it or not this is a roof made of just homosote between 1 1/8 and 1 1/2 inch thick -- the rafters are I think 24 inches on center -- I'm not at the house now. It is surprisingly solid to walk on, T&Ged and covered with shingles. It has been on for 30 years and is undamaged except where the mast (pipe) for the electric service penetrates and wasn't sealed correctly. It is rather unforgiving if it gets wet -- really sags. My dilemma is to insulate over with either the homosote product or the R control prooduct or to rip it all out and put stress skin panels on -- obviously a much more major job -- but more insulation and maybe less headaches down the road.