I built my house in 1991 without sheathing and have regretted it ever since. So, from personal experience I recommend sheathing with a moisture barrier. Make sure the moisture barrier is a good quality synthetic underlayment, not felt.
I recommend that they install ice and water shield along the bottom edge up to three feet above the interior edge of the exterior wall.
Get the pull out values of the screws for the sheathing that will be used.
Finally, I recommend that you visit at least jobs of similar scope that the contractor has done and talk to the homeowners to confirm that they were satisfied with the material and workmanship.
Dick Bus
2014-12-31 16:38:14.000000
The problem with no decking on a complex roof (hips/valleys/dormers/skylights) is the inability of installing a vapor barrier thereby dealing with condensation problems.
Dick Bus
2015-03-27 18:31:57.000000
I am having a garage built and plan to run a wall down the middle and remodel one side as temp. living quarters. The contractor wants to use purlins because he says the screws hold better. I am leaning toward sheathing with felt because I am concerned about condensation. Contractor says they use a moisture barrier with the purlins so no worries. Which is better?
Guest User
2014-12-31 15:06:57.000000
I Agree with everything that Dick said with the exception of visiting a persons home. I value my privacy and i certainly would not want every contractor I hired inviting people over to my home after the job was done, i really wouldn't even want to be contacted about it either. Furthermore as a professional contractor myself, scheduling meetings with 4 different homeowners (the prospective client, and 3 past clients) would be a nightmare. I am very busy as is most everyone else. I think asking someone to divulge past customer information even with their consent is a bit much. With all of the information available today regarding online reviews, BBB reviews, state licensing boards, etc... I think a homeowner should be able to do their own research and due diligence. I will however say that driving by a property that the contractor has done is a great idea, walking up and bothering the homeowner is a bad idea.
Guest User
2015-01-06 11:31:52.000000
Dick, was your concern about no sheathing/decking due to a condensation problem?
KEVIN DUPKE
2015-03-27 18:18:10.000000
+1
I am a bit fan of solid decking. It makes for a much more fool proof system.
Eric Novotny
2015-01-03 13:14:47.000000
Alan,
I am sure that there are plenty of folks that fall into both camps.
We have client that volunteer (actually ask us for that matter) to be used as reference accounts and jump at the opportunity to talk about their project.
Talking to past clients and seeing work samples is just one more evaluation tool to vet a contractor and should be an option along with the other avenues that you have mentioned.