- Totally get your frustration—roof decking choices overwhelmed me too.
- Spent weeks comparing plywood vs OSB, pros and cons lists everywhere...
- Birds definitely complicated my landscaping attempts last year, seeds vanished overnight.
- Hang in there, once you narrow down the decking options, the rest gets easier.
"Hang in there, once you narrow down the decking options, the rest gets easier."
Not sure I'd agree completely with this. Picking between plywood and OSB is just step one—installation methods and moisture barriers can be equally tricky. Personally, I've found OSB fine if properly sealed, but plywood tends to handle unexpected leaks better long-term. Also, birds stealing seeds? Try squirrels...they're like tiny ninjas sabotaging every landscaping effort I've made.
Good points about OSB vs plywood, but have you considered regional climate differences? In my area, humidity swings are pretty intense, and I've noticed OSB tends to swell more noticeably over time—even with sealing. Plywood seems more forgiving in that regard. Also, squirrels are bad enough, but raccoons...they're like furry demolition crews. Had one tear up flashing once just to get into the attic. Ever dealt with those?
Have you tried adding extra venting or moisture barriers to help with the swelling? As for raccoons, yeah, they're relentless... metal mesh screening around vulnerable spots saved me from another attic invasion. Ever given that a shot?
"metal mesh screening around vulnerable spots saved me from another attic invasion."
Yeah, mesh screening is solid advice—just make sure it's galvanized or stainless steel, otherwise rust becomes your next headache. Also, proper venting helps, but moisture barriers can trap humidity if not installed right... seen that happen a few times.
