Cellotex Panel source for Mackey?
I own a Mackey in Mountain View, and need to replace a couple of the cellotex panels (fiberboard) in the roof decking (the underside forms the ceiling in our exposed-beam home).
Does anyone know a current source for the panels? Any information is appreciated.
E-mail recommendations directly to: mmbadger AT gmail.com
I just though I would provide some information on roof deck panels as a reply as opposed to a private email so others might benefit as well.
The original roof deck panels that you are looking to replace haven't been available for a lot of years. We used to be able to order a close match that were cosmetically, but not dimensionally the same. The replacement was close to 1/2 inch thicker. This created drainage and appearance issues on the roof side. From the underside it looked about right after painting to match existing. This replacement panel is no longer available.
A few years back it was announced that the roof deck material was available again in local roofing supply houses. Well, it wasn’t the same material. It seems thicker than the old replacement and the fiberboard (often referred to as homasote board) isn’t as dense.
This new deck material is definitely in the “junk” classification if you ask me. If you chance upon a stack of the new boards in a roofing supply house you will see a lot of damaged boards along with the ones that haven’t been broken yet.
The nice surface you used to see on the underside of your roof has been replaced with something resembling contact paper. Not good. The old style 2ft x 8ft panels were expensive at $30 per panel. The “new” panels sell in San Jose for more than $100 per panel out-the-door!
We have seen a number of approaches in replacing roof deck panels including replacing the panels with either ¾” hardwood veneer type plywood that is primed and painted to match on the bottom side or with 2 sheets of 1/2” plywood that allows you to key into the grove of the tongue and groove. Either way, you end up with a much stronger roof deck and real wood that will last for the long haul. This not only works better, it’s less expensive as well.
If the panel that needs to be replaced is in a living room or other obvious spot you can always take a panel from a less visible area to replace the “ugly” one. Install plywood in the hole you created where you “harvested” the good panel. There you have it.
I hope the information helps.
Adam
