When it comes to hurricane proofing a property, nothing should be left to chance. With hurricane season upon us, it’s important to ensure that all the safety components used are durable and weather resistant. Using a variety of fasteners to secure a roof and timber frames / structures is important if you want to avoid expensive property damage. A selection of durable stainless steel hurricane clips, ties, straps and joists are required for effective hurricane preparation. The role that these components play in hurricane proofing is as follows:
- Hurricane connector straps – twist straps are typically used to create a tension connection between two wooden members. Their main function is to resist any sort of uplift caused by wind and also reduce any interference that can occur at the transition points. These are typically available galvanized or in stainless steel.
- Hurricane joist hangers – these are used to create a stable connection between your roof trusses and rafters and top of your wall. They are designed to offer strong wind resistance and ensure that the task of hurricane clips and ties is made a bit easier in keeping the roof attached to the structure.
- Hurricane clips and ties – ties and clips are used to create a sturdy and strengthening connection between the roof truss and building wall. Clips and ties are available in a variety of sizes and will provide impressive wind and seismic resistance.
FAQ: In a nutshell
Here is a short overview explaining some of the most frequently asked questions regarding hurricane clips, straps, and ties.
What are hurricane clips?
Hurricane clips are steel connectors that attach the roof truss to the top of a wall structure. These clips are designed to withstand hurricane winds that hit your walls and put upward pressure on the overhang of your roof.
What is the purpose of hurricane clips?
These clips and ties are typically installed on a home’s exterior to provide the most secure connection between the foundation, walls, and roof, ensuring the greatest possible resistance to upwind and lateral forces that could cause catastrophic damage to a building. They ensure that the roof system will not blow off during a hurricane.
Are hurricane clips required?
Hurricane clips are mandated for new construction, additions, and remodels. Depending on where you live, these straps may already be part of the building code. Newer structures would be required to install straps to pass inspections and satisfy the requirements of the code. Although roofs on older homes may not have been required to install them, they can be retrofitted with hurricane clips to strengthen and protect the home.
How do you install hurricane roof clips?
To ensure the roof stays in place when severe winds blow, securely anchor roof-to-wall connections by installing hurricane clips or straps at every wall-to-rafter connection.
- Locate where the pieces of wood meet.
- Position the clip so that the gap in it is pointing forward into the house.
- Hammer in the clip to the parallel beam using 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) nails.
- Position the diagonal beam so that it is sitting in the open ‘U’ space.
- Hammer in 2 nails through the clip into the diagonal wood.
- Repeat this process at each meeting of a horizontal and diagonal beam.
How do you install hurricane clips on windows?
- Measure each window casing.
- Cut the plywood to the recorded size of each window.
- Slide the clips onto each plywood cover.
- Push the plywood into the window.
Can you use screws with hurricane ties?
They are engineered for use with clips. The risk if construction screws are used in steel connectors such as hurricane tie-downs is that such screws might break under load across the screw diameter even though their screw design resists pulling out of the wood.
Are hurricane clips effective?
Hurricane clips are an effective way of securing potentially hazardous parts of your home in stormy weather. These clips work by further strengthening the bond between the roof and walls of your home. Roof-to-wall connectors (clips) add a tested, proven, and surprisingly large degree of resistance to wind gusts and steady storm force winds.
While clips, ties, straps and joists are used for securing your roofing and timber frames, it is also important to consider fasteners for securing your hurricane shutters, doors, gutters and downspouts.
Simpson Strong-Tie hurricane straps, ties and joist hangers are manufactured from grade 316 stainless steel and offer the ultimate corrosion resistance. This makes them ideal for hurricane proofing.
Buy Simpson Strong-Tie Hurricane Fasteners at Marsh Fasteners
For effective hurricane proofing, we highly recommend our Simpson Strong-Tie range. Get advice on which fasteners are best suited to your application. We also have a bulk price catalogue available. For more information and advice on hurricane proofing components and fasteners, contact us at Marsh Fasteners today.
