This paper examines wind loads acting on roof sheathing on typical low-rise, wood-frame houses for a variety of parameters including roof shape, roof slope, building height, upstream terrain and the presence of surrounding structures placed in several patterns. It was found that roof shape and upstream terrain have the most significant effect on wind loads acting on roof sheathing. Considering the variation in wind loads, an effective prescriptive standard for sheathing on gable roofs, would discriminate by terrain and roof zone. Roof height and roof slope could be neglected from such a standard. In contrast, for hip roofs, an effective prescriptive standard would discriminate based on terrain, roof height and roof slope, but without considering roof zones (for the current, nearly square plan dimension houses). Surrounding houses are found to have both shielding and enhancing effects on the loads, depending on the details.