Xactimate OSB Decking (RFG SHTHG): Getting Sheathing Replacement Approved

Your crew tears off the old shingles and you find soft, spongy decking across the north slope. Nail pops everywhere. A few sheets crumble when the guys step on them. You know the decking has to come off, so you price the supplement and send it over to the desk adjuster. Two days later you get a reply: "Decking not visible at inspection. Denied."

This happens on hundreds of claims every week. The insurance estimate shows a complete reroof, but nothing for the substrate the shingles are being nailed to. The adjuster didn't see rot from the ground with a pair of binoculars, so the RFG SHTHG line item never made it into the original scope.

Getting roof decking paid is one of the most contested supplements in the industry. It's also one of the most lucrative when done correctly. A typical decking supplement runs between 800 and 4,500 dollars per claim, and on older roofs that number can climb past 8,000. This guide breaks down the Xactimate codes, the unit pricing, the documentation that gets approvals, and the code references that turn a denial into a payment.

We're not giving legal or policy advice here. This is the practical mechanics of how to price, document, and justify roof sheathing replacement on an insurance claim using the language adjusters already recognize.

What Is RFG SHTHG and Why It Gets Skipped

RFG SHTHG is the Xactimate code family for roof sheathing. The category covers OSB and plywood in various thicknesses, installed as either full replacement or patch panels. The code appears under the Roofing (RFG) selector in Xactimate and is usually priced by the square foot, though some carriers price decking by the 4x8 sheet.

The reason it gets skipped on adjuster estimates comes down to inspection method. When an adjuster climbs a roof to write a shingle claim, they see the top surface only. The underlying decking is hidden beneath felt, underlayment, and shingles. Unless there's obvious visible deflection, spongy walking, or exposed rot from a penetration, the adjuster has no way to see the sheathing and no basis to include it in the initial estimate.

This creates a predictable gap. The initial estimate pays for tear-off and replacement of the roof covering. Once the tear-off actually happens, the contractor exposes decking problems that no one could have seen during the first inspection. That's when the supplement goes in.

Why This Is a Legitimate Supplement, Not a Stretch

Insurance policies cover damage to the dwelling caused by a covered peril. If wind-driven rain saturated the decking, if hail impact split a panel, or if the existing shingles are past their useful life and the decking has deteriorated as a consequence of leaks, the damaged decking is part of the covered loss. The fact that the adjuster didn't see it during the first inspection doesn't change what the policy covers. It just means the scope needs to be updated once the damage becomes visible.

For a broader framework on building supplements from tear-off discoveries, see our supplement walkthrough.

The 7/16, 1/2, and 5/8 Variants (Unit Pricing Breakdown)

Xactimate prices decking by thickness and material. The three most commonly encountered variants on residential roofing claims are 7/16 inch OSB, 1/2 inch OSB or plywood, and 5/8 inch plywood. The correct thickness to bill depends on what's currently installed and what code requires for the structure.

Standard Xactimate Decking Codes

Prices shown are representative ranges pulled from Xactimate datasets across several regional markets. Your specific market pricing will vary by ZIP code, material availability, and the current Xactimate release. Always check the current price list for your jurisdiction before submitting.

Full Sheet vs. Per Square Foot

Some adjusters price decking by the 4x8 sheet (32 SF) rather than per square foot. This almost always comes out lower than billing per SF, because the sheet price assumes clean installs with no waste, no cuts, and no labor for working around obstructions. On a supplement, price by the square foot unless the carrier's policy specifically requires sheet pricing.

Dollar example: 120 SF of 1/2 inch OSB replacement

Per SF (RFG SHTHG at $3.10): 120 x $3.10 = $372.00

Per sheet (4 sheets at $28 ea): 4 x $28 = $112.00

The adjuster's sheet price misses $260.00 of material, labor, fasteners, and waste factor on this one line alone. Multiply across a larger rot pattern and the gap grows quickly.

When Decking Is Actually Owed on a Claim

Not every soft spot triggers a covered loss. Knowing the difference between decking that the policy owes and decking the homeowner pays for out of pocket is the first step to winning these supplements.

Scenarios Where Decking Is Typically Owed

• Storm-related rot: Decking saturated from wind-driven rain entering through storm damage. The water intrusion was caused by the covered peril.
• Hail splits or impact damage: Visible fractures, splits, or crushed fiber in the decking directly beneath hail-impacted shingles. Photograph with a straightedge and a tape measure.
• Tree impact or fallen debris: Anywhere a limb, tree, or airborne debris struck the roof, the decking underneath is almost always compromised.
• Manufacturer install requirements: Some shingle manufacturers require solid, continuous decking free of gaps greater than 1/8 inch and meeting specific fastener holding requirements. If existing decking fails the manufacturer's installation specs, it must be replaced to maintain the warranty.
• Code upgrade (ordinance or law): Replacing decking that no longer meets current building code when more than a defined percentage of the roof is being replaced. This is a separate coverage, usually under Coverage D or an ordinance and law endorsement.

Scenarios Where Decking Is Typically Not Owed

• Long-term deterioration with no connection to a covered peril (wear and tear exclusion).
• Decking damaged by pre-existing leaks from a previous roof that was not reported or repaired.
• Decking that needs upgrade only because the homeowner chose heavier tile or slate after a shingle loss.
• Construction defects from the original install (improper spacing, wrong thickness for span).

In practice, most storm claims sit in a gray zone. The decking has some age-related weakening plus some storm-related saturation. Your supplement narrative needs to tie the damage to the covered peril, not just describe what you found.

IRC R803 and Manufacturer Install Requirements

The International Residential Code (IRC) Section R803 governs roof sheathing. This code section is the authoritative reference adjusters and carriers recognize when code-required decking replacement comes up.

Key R803 Provisions

• R803.2.1 Identification: Wood structural panels must be identified with a grade mark or approval stamp. Panels without a visible stamp or with delamination, warping, or water damage do not meet code.
• R803.2.2 Allowable spans: Minimum sheathing thickness is tied to rafter or truss spacing. For 24-inch on-center spacing under asphalt shingle, 7/16 inch OSB is the minimum. For heavier loads or wider spacing, thicker material is required.
• R803.2.3 Installation: Panels must be installed with proper fastener schedules and gap tolerances. Existing decking with gaps exceeding code tolerance or with fasteners that no longer hold must be remediated.

Manufacturer Install Requirements

Shingle manufacturers publish installation instructions that become part of the warranty. GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and Malarkey all require that shingles be installed on solid decking in good condition. If the existing decking fails to meet manufacturer specs, the new roof warranty is void unless the decking is replaced.

Most insurance policies cover the restoration of damaged property to pre-loss condition. When pre-loss condition includes a valid manufacturer warranty, replacing failed decking to preserve that warranty is part of the restoration. Include a copy of the relevant page from the manufacturer's installation guide with your supplement.

Code-Referenced Supplement Language

"Upon tear-off of the existing roof covering, decking was observed to be damaged and non-compliant with IRC R803.2.3 due to panel delamination and compromised fastener holding capacity. Manufacturer installation instructions for [shingle brand] require solid, continuous decking free of defects greater than 1/8 inch. Replacement of [X] SF of [thickness] sheathing under RFG SHTHG is required to restore the roof assembly to pre-loss, code-compliant, and warranty-eligible condition."

For more supplement language templates, see our supplement letter templates.

Photo Documentation That Gets Decking Approved

Photos are the single most important factor in whether a decking supplement gets approved or denied. Adjusters need to see the damage in a way that's defensible inside their file. Here's what that looks like.

Required Photo Set for Every Decking Supplement

1. Overview shot with orientation: Full slope before tear-off, with a compass indicator or clear landmark reference so the adjuster knows which side of the house you're looking at.
2. Tear-off progress shot: Shingles removed, underlayment still partially in place. This establishes that the decking damage was exposed during the covered repair, not pre-existing.
3. Damaged decking with measurement reference: Each damaged area photographed with a tape measure or folding ruler in the frame. Show both dimensions of the damage area.
4. Close-up of the damage itself: Rot, splits, delamination, crushed fiber, or fastener pull-through, photographed at a 45-degree angle so the texture is clear.
5. Screwdriver or probe test: A photograph showing a probe penetrating the damaged area. This demonstrates softness that can't be argued from a surface photo alone.
6. Boundary markers: Chalk lines or marking paint drawn around the damaged area on the decking itself, so the total square footage in the photo matches the SF you're billing.
7. Post-replacement photo: New decking installed with clear fasteners visible. This proves the work was actually performed and closes the loop for the carrier's file.

Photo Mistakes That Kill Decking Approvals

• Zoomed-in close-ups with no context. The adjuster can't tell where on the roof the photo was taken.
• Dark, shadowed photos where the damage blends into the wood grain. Use a flashlight or work light to raise contrast.
• No measurement reference, so the adjuster can't verify the square footage claim.
• Photos of old rot patterns that clearly predate the storm. If the rot is gray, discolored with mildew, or grown over with moss, it's going to read as pre-existing.
• Missing the in-progress shot that ties the decking damage to the tear-off event.

For a complete adjuster-facing photo documentation strategy, see our adjuster estimate review checklist.

Typical Approved Square Footage per Claim

Understanding what a typical decking supplement looks like helps you benchmark your own numbers. If your supplement is wildly out of line with industry norms, expect pushback.

Decking Supplement Benchmarks by Claim Type

These ranges are not guarantees. A well-documented 600 SF supplement on a hail-only claim can absolutely get approved if the photos and narrative support it. Likewise, a sloppy 80 SF supplement can get denied if the documentation is weak. The numbers above represent what we see most often across real claims.

Supplement Strategy and Language

A decking supplement without a strong narrative is just a line item. The narrative is what turns the numbers into an approval. Here's how to structure one that lands.

The Four-Part Decking Supplement

1. Trigger event: Describe the covered peril and reference the original loss date. "On the referenced date of loss, the insured property sustained wind and hail damage, resulting in approved replacement of the roof covering."
2. Discovery: Explain that the decking damage was exposed during tear-off. "Upon commencement of tear-off, the contractor observed damage to the roof sheathing across the [slope location] slope. This damage was not visible during the initial inspection because the decking was fully covered by the shingle assembly at that time."
3. Scope and pricing: Give the exact square footage, thickness, and Xactimate code. "A total of [X] SF of 1/2 inch OSB sheathing (RFG SHTHG) requires replacement. Photos documenting the damage areas are attached with measurement references and boundary markers."
4. Code and manufacturer justification: Close with the IRC R803 reference and relevant manufacturer installation spec. This is where most supplements get strong. "The damaged decking does not meet IRC R803.2.3 for fastener holding capacity or the installation requirements published by [shingle manufacturer]. Replacement is required to restore pre-loss function and preserve the manufacturer warranty."

Pair Decking with Adjacent Line Items

When decking is involved, other line items usually come with it. Don't leave money on the table by submitting only the RFG SHTHG code. Check your estimate against this companion list:

• RFG FELT15 or RFG IWS (ice and water shield where decking is replaced)
• RFG DRIP (drip edge removal and replacement at decking boundaries)
• RFG LABOR or additional labor hours for sheet replacement
• Dumpster and disposal fees for the added debris
• Fastener and nail allowance

For a comprehensive list of line items that commonly get missed alongside decking, see our Xactimate supplement list and line items adjusters miss.

Common Denials and How to Reverse Them

Even well-documented decking supplements get pushed back. Here are the four most common denial reasons and how to answer them.

Denial 1: "Decking was not visible at original inspection."

Response: That is correct. Roof sheathing is never visible during a rooftop inspection because it sits under the shingle assembly. The damage became visible only when the approved tear-off was performed. Photos documenting the damage during tear-off are attached. This is precisely why insurance policies include provisions for supplementing claims as additional covered damage is discovered.

Denial 2: "Damage appears to be pre-existing wear and tear."

Response: The damaged areas documented in the attached photos are localized to the slopes and patterns consistent with the covered peril. Compare the north slope damage (photos 3 through 7) with the undamaged south slope (photo 8). If the cause were generalized wear and tear, we would expect uniform deterioration. The localized nature of the damage is consistent with storm water intrusion during the event of [date].

Denial 3: "Insurer only pays for visible exterior damage."

Response: Policy language typically covers damage to the dwelling caused by the covered peril regardless of whether the damage was exterior or interior, visible or concealed at initial inspection. The decking is part of the dwelling structure. Damage caused to it by the same storm event that damaged the shingles is part of the covered loss. Please reference [relevant policy section] for the covered property definition.

Denial 4: "Sheet pricing has already been included in the shingle line."

Response: The shingle line item (RFG [selected shingle]) includes the removal and installation of the shingle assembly only. It does not include replacement of structural sheathing. RFG SHTHG is a separate Xactimate line item with its own pricing. Please review the Xactimate line item description, which expressly defines the scope as the roofing material only and excludes substrate.

For a deeper look at handling denial reversals and building push-back packets, see our how to read an Xactimate estimate guide.

Putting It All Together

Decking supplements aren't complicated. They're just documentation-heavy. A contractor who runs a clean photo protocol during tear-off, prices decking by the square foot instead of the sheet, and writes a narrative that ties the damage to the covered peril will close the majority of these supplements.

The contractors who struggle are the ones who price decking from memory, submit supplements without photos, or quote sheet pricing because that's what the adjuster put in the original estimate. Don't mirror the adjuster's mistakes. Price what the work actually costs, document what you find, and cite the codes that support your position.

Real-world composite example

1,800 SF reroof on a 17-year-old architectural shingle roof, wind and hail claim. Original adjuster estimate: 9,400 dollars RCV with zero decking. Tear-off exposes soft and delaminated sheathing across two slopes totaling 288 SF. Supplement: 288 SF x $3.10 per SF = $892.80 for RFG SHTHG, plus $168 for additional ice and water shield, $94 for added felt, $210 for additional dumpster capacity, and $146 for added labor hours. Total supplement: $1,510.80. Time invested in the supplement packet: roughly 45 minutes including photos and narrative. Approval time: 9 days.

That's a typical decking supplement. Nothing exotic. Nothing aggressive. Just a real scope of work that wasn't visible during the first inspection and got added to the claim when the damage became exposed.

For contractors running multiple claims in parallel, the time cost of building this kind of supplement packet adds up. Tools that automate the line-item comparison and flag missing codes can cut supplement build time from 45 minutes to under 10. Explore ClaimStack to see how the platform surfaces missing RFG SHTHG line items, compares adjuster pricing against current Xactimate datasets, and generates supplement-ready packets with the codes and language that adjusters recognize.