Either works as long as it's oriented and nailed correctly. Plywood will take rain better than OSB if you think that might be an issue. A lot of OSB installations have the nails sunk to far or are not spaced right. It does swell over time, so expansion gaps are important. Plywood also needs this, but it's a little less critical. OSB is easier to work with because it's flat. Sometimes plywood looks like it came out of a can of Pringles, making hard to install without help. If using plywood, be aware that it comes in different compositions concerning glue make up(exterior grade) and number of layers(good structural sheathing has more). That's my two cents. Answer from Okney1lz on reddit.com
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › lumber & composites › plywood › sheathing plywood
1/2 - Sheathing Plywood - The Home Depot
Get free shipping on qualified 1/2 Sheathing Plywood products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Lumber & Composites Department.
Carlsbuildingsupply
carlsbuildingsupply.com › home › 26-plywood › 10-cdx
PLYWOOD 1/2" 4X8 CDX SHEATHING 4-PLY 15/32" ACTUAL SIZE
PLYWOOD 1/2 4X8 CDX SHEATHING · Size : Select Size · 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1-1/8" 1/2" 5 ply · 5/8" 5 ply · Pack Quantity · The quantity that makes up a standard package. You must order in units of this quantity. Items are sold in Gross and Pieces. Example: Package quantity ·
1/2” OSB or 1/2” Plywood for new roof sheathing?
Either works as long as it's oriented and nailed correctly. Plywood will take rain better than OSB if you think that might be an issue. A lot of OSB installations have the nails sunk to far or are not spaced right. It does swell over time, so expansion gaps are important. Plywood also needs this, but it's a little less critical. OSB is easier to work with because it's flat. Sometimes plywood looks like it came out of a can of Pringles, making hard to install without help. If using plywood, be aware that it comes in different compositions concerning glue make up(exterior grade) and number of layers(good structural sheathing has more). That's my two cents. More on reddit.com
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March 9, 2021Is 1/2" plywood standard and appropriate for a roof replacement? - Home Improvement Stack Exchange
A local roofer submitted a proposal to me for a roof placement that included replacing rotten plywood with 1/2" CDX. The existing plywood on my roof is only 3/8". I thought perhaps he made a mis... More on diy.stackexchange.com
1/2" VS 5/8" Roof Decking - Fine Homebuilding
I know this is OK for code, but ... 5/8″ plywood? I am not pushing back on other things, but I feel strongly about this. Am I being reasonable? If he comes back with additional charges, what would be the differential in cost to go from 15/32″ to 5/8″? ... We need to build roofs here for 85 psf ground snow load, and the typical framing is 24" on center, with 5/8 OSB decking on that. You have 16" centers, and a whole lot less snow load. You'll be fine with 1/2 inch ... More on finehomebuilding.com
1/2" vs 3/8" Plywood Sheathing - RedFlagDeals.com Forums
We are redoing our roof and it requires all new sheathing due to significant moisture issues and rotting OSB boards from the previous owner. Each quote we've received has given us the OSB option or 3/8" plywood. My understanding is that before the recent price surge in lumber, the standard for plywood sheathing was 1/2... More on forums.redflagdeals.com
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Menards
menards.com › main › building-materials › panel-products › plywood-sheathing › 1-2-x-4-x-8-4-ply-plywood-sheathing › 1231098 › p-1444431327404-c-13331.htm
1/2 x 4 x 8 4-Ply Plywood Sheathing at Menards®
1/2 x 4 x 8 4-Ply Plywood Sheathing
This plywood can be used for construction and a variety of other uses. It's great for tables, workbenches, furniture, and more.
Price $25.29
Ring's End
ringsend.com › 1/2 in. ccx fir sheathing, 4 ft. x 8 ft.
1/2 in. CCX Fir Sheathing, 4 ft. x 8 ft.
1/2 in. CCX Fir Sheathing, 4 ft. x 8 ft.
Plywood manufactured under U.S. Product Standard PS 1-83 may be made from over 70 species of wood. These species are divided according to strength and stiffness properties into five groups. Group 1 species are the strongest and the stiffest, Group 2 the next strongest and stiffest, and so on. Douglas Fir species are listed under both Group 1 and Group 2, depending on growing location. Ring's End carries Douglas Fir plywood sheathing to provide construction projects some of the best products in the industry. CCX Plywood is an Exterior grade panel with bonds capable of withstanding repeated wet
Price $32.95
Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › 1/2” osb or 1/2” plywood for new roof sheathing?
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: 1/2” OSB or 1/2” Plywood for new roof sheathing?
March 9, 2021 -
What is the best product to use for new sheathing? It’s going directly over the old horizontal planks and will be attached to the rafters. 8/12 pitch, rafters are 2x4’s and mostly 16” on centre. Sheathing finished with a self sealing and adhering waterproofing membrane, like resisto, and finally new shingles. Thanks
Top answer 1 of 4
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Either works as long as it's oriented and nailed correctly. Plywood will take rain better than OSB if you think that might be an issue. A lot of OSB installations have the nails sunk to far or are not spaced right. It does swell over time, so expansion gaps are important. Plywood also needs this, but it's a little less critical. OSB is easier to work with because it's flat. Sometimes plywood looks like it came out of a can of Pringles, making hard to install without help. If using plywood, be aware that it comes in different compositions concerning glue make up(exterior grade) and number of layers(good structural sheathing has more). That's my two cents.
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plywood is bullet proof and if fasteners are overdriven, the performance is not effected, unlike OSB where fastener's overdriven can significantly reduce OSB performance and structural integrity
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I spent 4 years representing a roofing company in NC. Occasionally I have seen 3/8" plywood on a roof. It is certainly not preferred by professionals interested in quality. Mixing thicknesses is not preferred either, but if you use the proper underlayments and decent shingles, particularly archatectural, you aren't likely to notice. Half inch on a roof is usually OK and very common, at least around here. Obviously 3/4" is better. If you can afford to replace all the plywood, it certainly wouldn't be a bad thing.
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If you mix thicknesses of plywood it will cause a problem eventually, and the thicker sheathing will be noticeable (probably within a month)... and this will reduce the life of the shingles, tar paper, and roof. 3/8" should be replaced (optimally) but it would be better to use all the same thickness sheathing than to mix them.
If you absolutely must use different thickness sheathing, replace all of the plywood above the one that needs to be replaced (to the ridge of the roof). In other words, you don't want to have 3/8" above the 1/2" because it will create a ridge that water will settle in.
Today's Homeowner
todayshomeowner.com › roofing › roofing installation & maintenance › a complete guide to roof sheathing thickness
A Complete Guide to Roof Sheathing Thickness (2026) | Today's Homeowner
This thickness provides a balance of strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness for most residential applications. For plywood sheathing, ½-inch thick panels are often enough, while OSB typically performs best at ⅝-inch thickness.
Published April 11, 2025
Qualis
qualisgc.com › choosing-the-right-plywood-for-roofing-types-and-thickness
Choosing the Right Plywood for Roofing: Types and Thickness | Qualis
July 2, 2025 - Below are the most common plywood ... on center). It’s not ideal for homes. 1/2-Inch Plywood: Commonly used for residential roofing with rafters spaced 16″ apart....
Bay Valley Roofing
bayvalleyroofing.com › home › articles › using the right size plywood for a new roof build
Using The Right Size Plywood For A New Roof Build
August 16, 2023 - Lastly, the size of your roof, measured in square footage, will also affect what size plywood you’ll need for roofing and how much you should get. The larger the roof, the more plywood you will need to cover the entire surface.
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › home-improvement › m2b23-roofing-question-roof-1-2-inch-plywood.html
Roofing FAQ: Is 1/2" Plywood Safe? Expert Advice & Solutions
May 26, 2023 - Roof plywood systems often face sagging and insufficient support underfoot with thinner panels. Roof decking thinner than 5/8 inch, like 1/2 inch plywood, can flex or dip under weight due to lower stiffness. This may cause structural stress ...
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › lumber & composites › plywood
1/2 - Plywood - The Home Depot
2 · 4 · 8 · Hardwood Plywood · MDF · Plywood Sheathing · Sanded Plywood · 1 · 2 · 4 · Interior · Exterior · Exposure 1 · Paintable · Sanded · Stainable · No Additional Features · UV Prefinished · Pressure Treated · Maple · Poplar · Birch · MDF ·
Georgia-Pacific Building Products
buildgp.com › georgia-pacific › georgia-pacific building products › georgia-pacific building products
Plytanium® Plywood Roof Sheathing | Build Georgia-Pacific
Plytanium® plywood sheathing provides outstanding performance, durability and impact resistance for walls and roofs. The stiff and strong quality construction is Ideal for both residential and light commercial construction.
Southeasternbuildingproducts
southeasternbuildingproducts.com › home › lumber › plywood sheets › 1/2″ cd plywood
1/2" CD Plywood - Southeastern Building Products
June 4, 2025 - Pyro-Guard is commonly accepted by building codes for partition walls, store fronts, fixtures and roof construction in shopping centers · Warranted against defects in manufacture where the product is properly installed up to a maximum of 20 years · $47.25 each · 60 in stock · Total Cost: $ 47.25 · Category: Plywood Sheets ·
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › 1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-CDX-Ground-Contact-Pressure-Treated-Pine-Plywood-131876 › 206970940
1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. CDX Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Pine Plywood 131876 - The Home Depot
February 24, 2021 - Perfectly complete your outdoor projects with the help of this excellent Unbranded 1/ CDX Ground Contact PressureTreated Plywood.
Fine Homebuilding
finehomebuilding.com › forum › 1/2″ vs 5/8″ roof decking
1/2" VS 5/8" Roof Decking - Fine Homebuilding
March 29, 2005 - If he comes back with additional ... 24" on center, with 5/8 OSB decking on that. You have 16" centers, and a whole lot less snow load. You'll be fine with 1/2 inch decking....
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › 1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-CDX-Plywood-1062 › 305626156
1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. CDX Plywood 1062 - The Home Depot
#1 Home Improvement Retailer · ... Financing** available on purchases of $299 or more.Apply Now · Ideal use for foundations, exterior walls and roofing ·...
RedFlagDeals
forums.redflagdeals.com › 1-2-vs-3-8-plywood-sheathing-2478882
1/2" vs 3/8" Plywood Sheathing - RedFlagDeals.com Forums
July 24, 2021 - GAF for example says that 3/8" is acceptable: Plywood or OSB… 3/8” (9 mm) minimum thickness, C-D Exposure 1 APA Rated, as recommended by the APA – The Engineered Wood Association That said, I would go for 1/2" myself as a it is the minimum for a metal roof.
Dunn Lumber
dunnlumber.com › cdx-1-2-inches-plywood-sheathing-4-ply-4-feet-x-8-feet-net-15-32-inches-cdx12.html
CDX 1/2" Plywood Sheathing 4-ply 4'x8' (net 15/32"
CDX 1/2" plywood sheathing is a durable, Exposure‑1 rated 4‑ply panel ideal for roofing, subflooring, and general construction where short-term moisture resistance is needed.
Builders FirstSource
bldr.com › products › plywood-sheathings
Plywood & Roof Sheating Materials | Builders FirstSource
Whether you need OSB or plywood for roofing and framing projects or beadboard panels to dress up a ceiling, Builders FirstSource has all types of sheathing.