I was wondering if you could answer a roofing material question. I’m
considering purchasing a 30 year old A-frame house. The roof is built of open wood rafters with a composite material on top of the rafters. The outside of the roof is shingled and the inside has this composite material showing. We’ve been told that it’s compressed paper, made long ago under the name Usum (?). It’s about 2-3 inches thick, it’s tongue-and groove, white in color, appears to be very rigid and it has the feel of cement board. Do you know what this material might be and who was the manufacturer? Do you know if it has harmful materials in it (asbestos, formaldehyde, etc)? Is it still being used today?
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Replies
John, years ago I put down a sheathing like you describe. If I recall it was made from compressed fiberglass with a white vinyl finish on the underside. Seemed like a good product to me.We screwed it down with special washerhead screws from the manufacturer. I do not know what the product was called. Asphalt shingles were installed over top , I did not lay shingles so I cannot comment on any problems with installation of shingles over these panels.
mike
Thanks, mike. You're the first to answer! John