FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Deck or Sheathe?

| Posted in Construction Techniques on January 20, 2002 06:14am

*
There’s a discussion going on in this folder about what to call the supporting studs under a header. The subject is “Trimmers, jacks, or cripples”. I always find the different terminolgy used interesting.

Here’s another.

In your area, when you “cover the rafters” with plywood or OSB, are you “decking” the roof or “sheathing” it?

Down here in San Antonio, Tx, we “deck”. And the crew showing up to deck the roof tomorrow morning are called the “deckers”.

So what is this process called where you live? Please mention the State you live in.

Ken

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Stan_Foster | Jan 19, 2002 02:53pm | #1

    *
    sheathing the roof------Illinois

    1. James_DuHamel | Jan 19, 2002 03:47pm | #2

      *Deck the roof and floorsSheathe the wallsJames DuHamel

      1. r__ignacki | Jan 19, 2002 05:03pm | #3

        *We "sheet" everything.(not to be confused with "shit" in orlospeak)

        1. Joseph_Fusco | Jan 19, 2002 05:12pm | #4

          *I sheath the roof and house and put the "decking" on the joists. But no one really gives a crap as long as it gets done. . .

          1. Keith_C | Jan 19, 2002 06:48pm | #5

            *Deck all walking surfaces, sheathe walls and roofs. Ohio....and we call them jacks cause they support the headers. Cripples hold up sills, and over top of headers. Thus my framing hyrogliphics X=full lenghth stud, J=jack, C= cripple, B=block(corners and wall intersections) scribble out= better ask me cause I f-ed up the layout.

          2. Mike_Smith | Jan 19, 2002 07:45pm | #6

            *keith... hah, hah, hah<>my version is.. why didn't you ask me.. don't you know what scribble out means ?sheath the walls & roof ... deck or floor the joists..

          3. The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Jan 19, 2002 11:51pm | #7

            *Ken...I use to call it sheathing the roof and walls...and the deck.I am willing to dicker bout the decker Dicks...and Janes though.near the dock...in the stream,aj

          4. splintergroupie_ | Jan 20, 2002 12:19am | #8

            *In western Montana:Walking surfaces get decked.Vertical surfaces get sheathed or sheeted.Roofs can go either way.

          5. Matthew_Steadman | Jan 20, 2002 01:31am | #9

            *I sheet everything. You got the scribble right, I only use an x if a stud has to be perfect,like a king or an end stud, your average wall stud just gets a slash. Supposedly this helps rookies put in less crowned and twisted king and end studs.

          6. Mike_Willms | Jan 20, 2002 06:00am | #10

            *I "sheet" everything in Alberta Ca-na-duh. Cripples go under headers (or lintels), but we all secretly know they're supposed to be called trimmers. Jacks go on the roof. The ends of walls get California-L's, and I would really like to meet the Californian who named them.

          7. Keith_C | Jan 20, 2002 06:30am | #11

            *Me too... I still call those "stick frames" between the gable trusses and a perpendicular gable "california fills" . Who is this "California" guy, and why does he get everything named after him back East?

          8. GACC_DAllas | Jan 20, 2002 07:02am | #12

            *Ken,A few miles North in Dallas, we deck roofs and floors like you do.I guess "sheathing" is verticle, like on the walls.I've never heard decking called sheathing. But I guess that's just where we are from.Anybody got a dictionary definition handy?Ed.

          9. Ken_Drake | Jan 20, 2002 07:59am | #13

            *Ed,Seems like Texans deck a roof and others sheet or sheathe.When in Rome..........

          10. r__ignacki | Jan 20, 2002 03:38pm | #14

            *We Deck the halls at xmas...

          11. Stan_Foster | Jan 20, 2002 04:34pm | #15

            *Ken: I would like to "deck" someone, but that would not be PC. ha

          12. Ken_Drake | Jan 20, 2002 06:10pm | #16

            *Stan,I know what you mean. There's been a few occassions in the past that I would have liked to "deck" in here also. But then I figured, Oh "sheet", it ain't worth it.

          13. Stan_Foster | Jan 20, 2002 06:12pm | #17

            *Lets have a Breaktime deckfest! Survivors get to post as they please. ha

          14. Ken_Drake | Jan 20, 2002 06:14pm | #18

            *DeckFest. Gotta love it.Maybe that's what this place needs once in awhile.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Mortar for Old Masonry

Old masonry may look tough, but the wrong mortar can destroy it—here's how to choose the right mix for lasting repairs.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details
  • A New Approach to Foundations
  • A Closer Look at Smart Water-Leak Detection Systems
  • Guest Suite With a Garden House

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data