This roof replacement in Exeter, New Hampshire was completed on a beautiful parcel off Kingston Road that abuts the Exeter River. The home dates back to the 1800s and, according to its history, wasn't always located here. More than a century ago, the house was moved from neighboring Kingston to the Exeter property where it stands today. Homes with that kind of history tend to reveal things you simply don't encounter on newer construction. This one was no exception. When Compass Exteriors removed the existing roofing system, we exposed an old rough-sawn board roof deck that reflected the age and construction methods of the home. Before a modern premium roofing system could be installed correctly, the roof needed a new foundation. So rather than simply replacing the shingles, we redecked the entire roof and installed a premium Owens Corning roofing system from the deck up. An 1800s Home Meets a Modern Roofing System There is something interesting about working on a house that has already been standing for well over a century. The framing and construction tell a story. In this case, removing the old roofing exposed rough-sawn roof boards beneath it. Materials like these are common on historic New England homes because plywood and modern sheet sheathing simply didn't exist when many of these houses were originally constructed. That doesn't necessarily mean old board decking must always be removed. What matters is whether the existing deck provides the proper surface, fastening capability, condition, and configuration required for the roofing system being installed. On this Exeter home, it didn't. The existing rough-sawn decking was not an appropriate substrate for the new roof installation, so Compass made the decision to redeck the complete roof rather than compromise the new system by installing it over an unsuitable surface. Why Does Roof Decking Matter? Homeowners rarely think about roof decking because, under normal circumstances, they never see it. It's hidden beneath the shingles and underlayment. But the deck is the foundation of the entire roofing system. Roofing nails ultimately rely on that material for holding strength. Underlayment needs a suitable surface beneath it. Flashing, shingles, ice and water protection, and other roofing components all depend on the deck being structurally sound and properly prepared. A beautiful new roof installed over an inadequate deck is still built on an inadequate foundation. For this project, that meant taking an additional step before the visible roofing work could really begin. The old roof was stripped down, the existing board deck was addressed, and the roof was fully redecked to create a consistent modern substrate across the home. Only then did we move forward with the new roofing system. Installing a Premium Owens Corning Roofing System Once the new roof deck was complete, Compass installed a premium Owens Corning roofing system across the home. The difference between the old and new assemblies is significant. Underneath the finished shingles is now a consistent roof deck designed to properly support the roofing materials above it. The underlayment, waterproofing components, flashing details, shingles, and other portions of the roof could then be installed as parts of one coordinated system. That's particularly important to us on a project like this. There isn't much sense in investing in premium roofing materials if the underlying conditions aren't addressed first. The finished shingles are what everyone sees. The redeck is what allowed us to install them the way they should be installed. Does an Older Exeter Home Need to Be Redecked During Roof Replacement? Not necessarily. The age of a home alone doesn't determine whether roof decking needs replacement. Some older homes have board decking that remains in excellent condition and is suitable for the proposed roofing system. Others may have boards with excessive spacing, deterioration, inadequate fastening surfaces, previous modifications, or other conditions that need to be corrected. Sometimes the answer isn't completely clear until the old roof is removed. That's one reason homeowners comparing estimates for an older home roof replacement in Exeter, NH should understand how a roofing contractor handles decking discovered during tear-off. On this property, the appropriate solution was a complete redeck. That added substantial work to the roof replacement, but it also meant the homeowners weren't investing in a premium roof while leaving a questionable foundation underneath it. Roofing Historic and Older Homes in Exeter, NH Exeter has no shortage of older housing stock, and those homes can require a different mindset than roofing a recently built subdivision home. Construction methods changed significantly over the decades. Older properties may have board decking, multiple generations of repairs, unusual framing, additions completed at different times, or roofing details that don't resemble today's standard construction. That doesn't make an older home a problem. It simply means you need to pay attention to what the house is telling you once you open it up. On this project, the rough-sawn decking was part of the home's history. Our job wasn't to erase that history—it was to make sure the new roofing system had the foundation it needed to protect the house going forward. A New Roof for a Home That's Been Around for Generations There is a unique contrast to this project. The house was originally built in the 1800s, moved from Kingston to Exeter more than 100 years ago, and today sits on a beautiful piece of property near the Exeter River off Kingston Road. The building has already experienced generations of New Hampshire weather. Our portion of its story was giving it a completely new roofing foundation and premium Owens Corning system designed for the next chapter. The project included removal of the existing roofing, evaluation of the historic rough-sawn roof deck, complete redecking of the home, preparation of the new substrate, and installation of a premium Owens Corning roofing system. From the ground, the finished product is a new roof. What makes this particular Exeter roof replacement special is everything beneath it—and the history of the house it is protecting. Compass Exteriors provides roof replacement, roof repair, roof-decking replacement, Owens Corning roofing systems, roof inspections, and roofing services for older and historic homes throughout Exeter, NH and the surrounding Seacoast.