I've used DensDeck on my mod-bit roof about three years ago, and honestly, it's held up pretty well. Can't say for sure if it's worth the extra cost compared to regular gypsum boards, but I haven't had any punctures or issues yet. If durability is your main concern, it might be worth giving it a shot... especially if your roof sees a lot of foot traffic or harsh weather.
Glad to hear your experience with DensDeck has been positive. I was on the fence about it myself when redoing my mod-bit roof last summer. Ended up going with regular gypsum boards mainly because of budget constraints, but honestly, if I had a bit more wiggle room financially, I probably would've sprung for DensDeck too.
From what I've read, the extra durability and puncture resistance can really pay off in the long run, especially if you're dealing with frequent foot traffic or rough weather conditions. My roof doesn't see much action, so regular gypsum has been fine so far—but I do occasionally worry about potential punctures from falling branches or hailstorms.
Anyway, sounds like you made a solid choice. Three years without issues is definitely encouraging, and it makes me think that sometimes spending a bit more upfront can save headaches down the road.
"From what I've read, the extra durability and puncture resistance can really pay off in the long run, especially if you're dealing with frequent foot traffic or rough weather conditions."
Yeah, that's pretty much spot-on from what I've seen too. When I redid my mod-bit roof a few years back, I went with regular gypsum boards as well—mostly because I figured the extra cost for DensDeck wasn't justified for my situation. Honestly, my roof is pretty sheltered, and we don't get much hail or heavy debris around here, so I couldn't really see the immediate benefit.
But... after helping a buddy patch up his roof last spring (massive hailstorm), I gotta admit it made me second-guess myself a bit. He had DensDeck underneath, and while his neighbors were replacing entire sections of their roofs, he just had a couple minor dents to deal with. Definitely made me reconsider whether saving a few bucks upfront was worth it.
Still skeptical about whether everyone really needs it, especially if you're in a mild climate or have minimal foot traffic—but yeah, it's probably worth the peace of mind if you can swing the extra cost.
Yeah, you're definitely onto something there. I've installed mod-bit roofs for years, and honestly, the decision to go with DensDeck or stick with regular gypsum usually comes down to the specifics of your situation. If you're in an area prone to hailstorms or heavy debris, it's a no-brainer. But if you're somewhere mild and your roof isn't getting a lot of foot traffic, you can probably get away without it.
Funny enough, I had a similar experience a couple years back. We installed two roofs around the same time—one with standard gypsum and one with DensDeck. Both jobs were solid, but then we got hit by a nasty storm (hail the size of golf balls... no joke). The gypsum board roof took quite a beating—had to replace several sections—but the DensDeck one? Barely a scratch. It was like night and day.
Still, I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about going with regular gypsum if your climate's mild. Roofing is always a bit of a gamble anyway—you make your best guess based on budget and conditions, and sometimes Mother Nature throws you a curveball. If your roof is holding up fine so far, you're probably good to go for quite a while.
But hey, next time around, if you're feeling uneasy about it, maybe give DensDeck (or something similar) another look. It's not just about durability either—sometimes that extra rigidity can help extend the life of your insulation too, since it reduces movement and stress on the layers underneath. Just something else to keep in mind.
Either way, sounds like you've done your homework and made a solid choice based on your situation. Can't ask for much more than that.
"Roofing is always a bit of a gamble anyway—you make your best guess based on budget and conditions."
True, but I'd argue that even in mild climates, unexpected storms can pop up. Seen plenty of "safe" areas get surprise hail damage. Sometimes it's worth the extra upfront cost for peace of mind...
