What material is most commonly used for sheathing roofs?

The most commonly used material for sheathing roofs is oriented strand board (OSB). OSB is preferred by many contractors and builders due to its cost-effectiveness, strength, and ease of handling. It consists of wood strands that are bonded together with adhesives, providing a durable surface for roofing materials to be installed on.

Plywood is a traditional sheathing material that has been widely used in roofing, but OSB has gained popularity for its performance and affordability, making it the more common choice in recent years. Metal panels, while used in some roofing applications, are typically not used as sheathing but rather as the roofing material itself. Concrete boards, on the other hand, are not a standard sheathing material; they are more commonly used for siding or in applications requiring greater fire resistance. Therefore, while plywood has been a popular option, OSB is currently the material most widely utilized for roof sheathing.