Roof decking is one of the most important parts of your roof. It provides support and stability to the rest of the roof, and it protects your home from the elements. Whether or not roof decking is covered by insurance depends on a variety of factors, including the type of insurance policy you have, the cause of the damage, and whether or not your roof decking was up to code.
In this blog post, we'll break down everything you need to know about roof decking and insurance so that you can be prepared in the event that something happens.
What is Roof Decking?
The roof decking is the sheet of plywood or other material that supports the shingles on a roof. It is also sometimes called roof sheathing.
The roof decking provides a surface for the shingles to be attached to and also helps to keep the shingles in place. Without a strong and stable roof decking, the shingles would not be able to do their job of protecting the house from the elements.
The roof decking is typically made from plywood, but it can also be made from other materials such as oriented strand board (OSB).
The type of material used for the roof decking depends on the climate and the local building codes. In some climates, it is necessary to use a material that is resistant to mold and rot, such as treated plywood. In other climates, any type of plywood can be used.
Once the plywood or other material is in place, it is usually covered with an asphalt-based felt paper before the shingles are installed. The felt paper helps to protect the roof decking from moisture and also provides an additional layer of protection from the elements.
Is Roof Decking Covered By Insurance?
As we mentioned before, whether or not your roof decking is covered by insurance will depend on a few different factors. If your roof decking was up to code when it was installed and the damage was caused by something beyond your control (like a severe storm), then there's a good chance that it will be covered by your insurance policy. However, if your roof decking was not up to code or the damage was caused by something within your control (like faulty installation), then it's unlikely that your insurance company will provide any coverage.
To be safe, we recommend checking with your insurance agent before making any assumptions about what is and isn't covered. They'll be able to look at your policy and let you know for sure what kind of coverage you have.
Code Upgrade Coverage
Code Upgrade means that in the event of an insurance claim, the physical structure of the home will be replaced according to current code. With Code Upgrade Coverage, these costs are included as part of the settlement money. No Code Upgrade Coverage = No insurance money to redeck the roof.
For example, if a fire burns down a home that was built 20 years ago, the municipality in which the home is located may have updated its building codes since then. The cost to rebuild the home according to current code would be significantly higher than if the home was rebuilt to the same code that was in place when it was originally built. However, with Code Upgrade Coverage, these extra costs are covered by the insurer. As a result, Code Upgrade Coverage is an important consideration for anyone who owns a home.
When Should You Consider Building Codes Coverage?
If you live in an area where building codes are frequently updated, or if your home has code violations that have been grandfathered in, you may be at risk for substantial costs if any part of your home needs to be rebuilt. In these cases, it's important to secure the right amount of financial protection by talking to your insurer about what building codes coverage they offer. With the right coverage in place, you'll be able to rest assured knowing that you're protected against the high costs of rebuilding up to code.
Conclusion
Roof decking is an important part of your home's structure, so it's important to know what kind of coverage you have in case something happens. Whether or not roof decking is covered by insurance depends on a few different factors, including the type of policy you have, the cause of the damage, and whether or not your roof decking was up to code when it was installed. If you're unsure about what kind of coverage you have, we recommend checking with your insurance agent before assuming anything. They'll be able to look at your policy and let you know for sure what's covered.
At Pickard Roofing, we think Design. Craft. Renew. We are experienced in all types of roofing systems- and provide the right roofing design and selective craftsmanship for renewing our customer’s assets. We invite sustainable building customers to give us a call for your free evaluation. For over 90 years Pickard Roofing Company has installed countless metal, tile, slate, TPO, EPDM, and all types of shingle roofing in the Triangle. Our services include residential, commercial, custom architectural metal fabrication, and historical renovation.
