An older decking method using spaced wooden boards rather than solid panels — common on Colorado homes built before the mid-1980s, and one of the most consistently missed code upgrade items in roof insurance estimates on older Front Range properties.
Table of Contents
- What Skip Sheathing Is
- Why Skip Sheathing Was Used
- The Problem Under Asphalt Shingles
- Code Requirements in Colorado
- Skip Sheathing and Your Insurance Claim
- How to Identify Skip Sheathing
- Common Questions
- How Claim Advocacy Helps
- Related Glossary Terms
What Skip Sheathing Is
Skip sheathing — also called spaced sheathing or plank decking — is a roof decking system made of individual boards installed horizontally across rafters with gaps between them instead of a continuous solid surface.
Typical boards include:
- 1×4
- 1×6
- 1×8
The defining feature is the gap between boards.
Homes built before the mid-1980s in Colorado commonly have skip sheathing — especially if they originally had wood shake roofs.
Why Skip Sheathing Was Used
Skip sheathing was the correct system for wood shake and wood shingle roofs.
It allowed:
- Airflow beneath shingles
- Moisture drying
- Reduced rot in wood roofing materials
When those roofs were replaced with asphalt shingles, the skip sheathing was often left in place.
The Problem Under Asphalt Shingles
Skip sheathing creates multiple issues when used under asphalt shingles:
Poor Nail Anchorage
Nails driven into gaps do not secure shingles properly.
Reduced Wind Resistance
Loose fastening increases risk of wind damage.
Uneven Roof Surface
Gaps create unsupported spans and visible waviness.
Moisture Risk
Water penetrating the system can drop directly into the attic.
Asphalt shingles require a solid nailing surface.
Code Requirements in Colorado
Modern codes require a continuous decking surface under asphalt shingles.
Colorado Springs (PPRBD – 2021 IRC)
- Gaps > 1/4 inch → overlay required
- Minimum: 7/16″ OSB or 3/8″ plywood
Pueblo (PRBD – 2009 IBC)
- Gaps > 1/2 inch → overlay required
Most older roofs exceed these thresholds due to shrinkage and original spacing.
If the gap exceeds code, overlay is not optional — it is required.
Skip Sheathing and Your Insurance Claim
The key question:
Is the overlay covered?
In most cases — yes, under:
Why:
- The overlay is required to meet code
- Code-required work is covered under ordinance provisions
However:
- It is almost never included in the initial insurance estimate
- It must be added via a Supplemental Claim
Typical cost: $1,500–$4,000+
How to Identify Skip Sheathing
From the Attic (Best Method)
- Look for visible gaps between boards
- Boards run horizontally across rafters
From Exterior (Indirect Signs)
- Slight waviness in roof surface
- Older home with shake roof history
Confirmation before tear-off is ideal.
Common Questions
My home was built in the 1970s — does it have skip sheathing?
Very likely — confirm in attic.
Why wasn’t it in my estimate?
It cannot be seen during surface inspection.
Can shingles be installed over skip sheathing?
Not legally when gaps exceed code limits.
What if my policy doesn’t include ordinance coverage?
You may be responsible for the overlay cost.
How Claim Advocacy Helps
- Pre-inspection identification — confirming presence early
- Gap measurement documentation — proving code requirement
- Code citation — supporting supplement approval
- Supplement preparation — adding overlay cost
- Coverage verification — confirming ordinance coverage
Related Glossary Terms
Skip sheathing is one of the most consistently missed — and most consistently recoverable — code upgrade items in Colorado roof claims. Identifying it early and documenting it properly ensures the cost of bringing your roof up to code is included in your settlement rather than paid out of pocket.
📞 (719) 210-8699
📧 gerald@winik.io