How Much Does Roof Decking Cost to Replace? [2026 Data]

When you think of a roof, you imagine overlapping tiles or sleek metal sheets—rarely does anyone think of what’s underneath. Roof sheathing is the integral layer of thick wooden boards that are attached to the skeleton of the roof and provide both an important barrier between your home and outside and a solid foundation on which to attach underlayment and roofing tiles. 

Roof sheathing installation costs $6,400 on average, though it ranges from $1,900 for small, simple roofs to $17,000 for large, high-pitched roofs.

Roof Decking Replacement Cost by Type

There are a few types of roof sheathing to choose from: solid, open, or plank. Solid sheathing is the most common choice because it provides a continuous layer without gaps. Plank is rare because it’s more labor-intensive and the material cost is higher. Open roof sheathing requires large tiles—commonly sheet metal—to cover the gaps in the sheathing.

Cost of OSB vs. Plywood Roof Sheathing

There are two primary materials used when constructing solid roof sheathing: oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood. While they are hard to tell apart, OSB is more popular due to its lower cost and similar application. However, plywood is stronger than OSB, so if you have a particularly heavy roofing material, it’s the better choice. 

Cost to Replace Roof Decking per Square Foot

The size of your roof significantly affects the total cost of installing sheathing. The table below can help you get a rough idea of what an installation costs. Prices vary, but roof sheathing often costs between $2 and $6 per square foot.

Roofing Professional Cost

A local roofing professional will cost between $30 and $90 per hour to perform the work. If they charge a project-based fee, it’s often between 20% and 50% depending on whether special equipment is required or if your roof has difficult access. These pros work day in and day out on roofs specifically, so we consider them a better option than general contractors if you’re only performing roof work.

General Contractor Cost

General contractors will give a roofing estimate at the same price ballpark as a roofing professional or even slightly less. But unless you’re bundling other work into a roof sheath install, go with the roofing pro. There are other ways contractors price their work but they often charge for time and materials or as a percentage, called lump-sum contracts. 

Cost to Replace Roof Sheathing by Location

Roof sheathing costs vary significantly across the nation as transportation fees, local labor markets, and ease of working access all influence the total project cost. Cities like San Francisco and New York are some of the most expensive building markets while markets like the Midwest are less expensive. Areas close to wood mills, like the Pacific Northwest and deep South, may have lower costs as transport fees are low due to their proximity to the forests and factories. 

Additional Roof Sheathing Replacement Cost Factors

Demolition and Prep 

Demolition work costs between $25 and $80 per worker per hour, while prep work requires roofing expertise which drives the cost up to $35 to $110 per worker per hour. 

Permits 

In most cases, you need a permit to install sheathing because it’s a fairly substantial project that supports an integral part of your house (the roof). Expect to pay between $400 and $1,500 for the cost of a permit. 

Repairs 

Roof repairs are expensive and sheathing is no exception. It can actually be fairly expensive to repair sheathing as it’s sandwiched between roofing layers, so you’ll need to remove the top roofing material to have access. While normal repairs cost an average of around $1,200, expect sheathing repairs (if the roof is already installed) to cost a bit more. 

Why You Should Hire a Pro for Roof Decking Replacement

Hiring a local roofing contractor for roof decking replacement costs more upfront, but you benefit from expert evaluation, correct material selection, and proper installation that ensures your roof’s longevity and structural integrity. Professionals bring the right tools, skills, and experience to replace roof decking safely, preventing potential issues down the road.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a roof decking replacement pro

Replacing roof decking involves removing damaged materials, installing new boards, and ensuring that everything is properly aligned and secured for long-term protection. Here are some of the top reasons to work with a pro:

• Professionals know how to safely remove old, deteriorated decking and install new materials without causing further damage to your roof’s structure.

• They understand how to choose the right type of decking material (e.g., plywood, OSB, or other specialized boards) to ensure your roof’s load-bearing capacity and moisture resistance.

• Hiring a pro ensures that your decking is installed to meet local building codes, preventing potential problems with insurance or future inspections.

• Many contractors can also offer additional services, like upgrading underlayment, inspecting rafters, or installing roofing materials at the same time, which can help save on overall costs.

Roof Sheathing Replacement vs. Repair

Roof sheathing is unique in that it’s underneath your roofing material. It’s only in very rare cases that sections of the roof are removed just to access the sheathing and in most cases, the sheathing itself is protected from physical damage from the roofing itself. If there is damage to the sheathing, it likely damages all of it in the form of water damage. 

So, when it comes to deciding whether to replace or repair, it often makes sense to replace the entire roof sheathing. Repair options commonly exceed the 50% rule of repairs which states that if a repair costs more than 50% of the project cost, you're better off just replacing it.

Tips to Reduce Cost While Installing Roof Decking

Both plywood and OSB boards are cost-effective materials and labor isn’t something that you can negotiate much. However, here are some other tips to try and reduce costs.

• Try to purchase plywood in larger quantities to get bulk discounts. 

• Get price quotes from multiple roofers to find the best deal. 

• Perform regular inspections so no large issues grow over time, which ultimately cost far more. Even if some parts of the roof aren’t expensive, the labor most certainly will be. 

• Look into any local or federal programs that offer rebates or tax credits for roof replacements.

Does Roof Sheathing Increase Home Value?

Roof sheathing isn't something a buyer sees and if your roof is in good condition it's probably because there's solid sheathing underneath. When considering the effect on home value it's more about how not having sheathing will severely drop the value of the home more than the presence of it will raise its value. If the shooting is new that may result in an increased return on investment but at most, you can expect to see a 50% recoup of the cost. An alternative gain is in the form of increased energy efficiency.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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