
- Hurricane clips are metal straps that connect the roof truss to the top of a wall. That way, the roof system won't blow off during a hurricane. [2]
- Always take caution when using a step-ladder and make sure you have someone there to hold the ladder still.
Are hurricane straps required?
While not required on older structures, owners of existing buildings would be wise to invest in the installation of hurricane ties and straps. Costs are minimal and these retrofitted items can make a difference during the next hurricane or wind event.
What is a hurricane roof clip?
Hurricane roof straps (or clips) are steel connectors which attach the roof of the building to the wall structure. This creates a complete load path between the roof and the foundations, allowing the force of strong winds to be shared throughout the structure instead of being withstood by only the roof.
How to install hurricane ties?
Installation of Hurricane Ties Placement on the Interior or Exterior Side of Walls A common method to make the roof to wall connection is with the use of hurricane ties. Most hurricane ties connect the roof to the top plate only. To maintain a continuous load path, a connection must be made to transfer load through the top plate to the wall.
What are the requirements for a hurricane?
Whipping up a hurricane calls for a number of ingredients readily available in tropical areas:
- A pre-existing weather disturbance: A hurricane often starts out as a tropical wave.
- Warm water: Water at least 26.5 degrees Celsius over a depth of 50 meters powers the storm.
- Thunderstorm activity: Thunderstorms turn ocean heat into hurricane fuel.
- Low wind shear: A large difference in wind speed and direction around or near the storm can weaken it.

Are hurricane clips necessary?
These hurricane clips are also called “seismic ties,” since they reinforce wood frame buildings and reduce the probability of their collapse in earthquakes. Their use is required by building codes in areas subject to earthquakes, even if storms with high winds are rare.
What is the difference between hurricane clips and straps?
Clips – Metal connectors that do not wrap over the truss. Strap – Metal connectors that wrap over the truss and are nailed on each side. Double straps – 2 metal connectors that wrap over the truss.
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.
Where do you put hurricane clips?
Hurricane ties are usually installed on the home's exterior to provide the most secure connection between the roof, walls, and foundation, ensuring the greatest possible resistance to upwind and lateral forces that can cause catastrophic damage to a building.
Can you add hurricane clips to existing roof?
While you can retrofit hurricane straps from the inside or from the attic, the roof replacement process is the most convenient and safest way possible. Retrofitting through the outside requires removing most of your soffit panels. Retrofitting from the inside would require removing drywall.
How much wind can hurricane clips withstand?
What is this? The straps must be made of metal and be at least 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) long. They must also be installed within six feet (72 inches) of the ground and able to withstand 140 mph (225.3 kph) winds.
How much do hurricane clips save on insurance?
Hurricane Strap Retrofit Services You Can Trust The simple addition of a third nail into hurricane clips can help homeowners save 25%-35% on their home insurance premium and provide added security to protect your home if disaster strikes. Moreover, your entire home will get extra uplift protection from high winds.
Can I install hurricane clips myself?
These clips work by further strengthening the bond between the roof and the walls of your house so the roof does not blow away in a hurricane. They are relatively inexpensive and if you want to install them by yourself, then they just require a little bit of care and attention.
Do I need hurricane ties on every joist?
Note: For every rafter or joist, you'll need at least two nails, one hurricane tie, and one strap.
Should I nail or screw hurricane ties?
Nails are also much more resistant to bending than screws for the same reason. This makes nails ideal for mounting hurricane ties over screws to secure members.
How do you use hurricane window clips?
0:001:10NO DRILLING HURRICANE PLYWOOD Board Up Windows with ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNo more than 24 inches apart for waller than 2x2 feet you'll only need two clips push the plywoodMoreNo more than 24 inches apart for waller than 2x2 feet you'll only need two clips push the plywood into the window casing making sure the clips are gripping the casing to remove.
Can hurricane clips be installed with screws?
Your local building inspector might approve construction screws rather than nails to attach hurricane strapping to tie down rafters to a top plate PROVIDED that the screws are properly-selected construction screws of the right size and length.
What is a hurricane strap?
A hurricane strap is a connector that is used to strengthen wood framed roofs and homes. The most popular hurricane straps are made of galvanized steel or stainless steel and they are designed to protect structures from the ravages of adverse weather events such as tropical storms and winter storms.
How does a hurricane strap work?
0:482:01Hurricane Straps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThese connections are critical in holding the roof together. And will dramatically increase theMoreThese connections are critical in holding the roof together. And will dramatically increase the home's overall resistance to wind. Along with roof to wall connections.
What are hurricane straps for houses?
These toe nails, as they are called, are what hold the roof down in the wind. If this is done properly, the roof structure should be safe until wind speeds reach about 160 kilometres an hour. At such wind speeds, asphalt shingles may blow off but the roof structure will remain intact.
How much do hurricane clips save on insurance?
Hurricane Strap Retrofit Services You Can Trust The simple addition of a third nail into hurricane clips can help homeowners save 25%-35% on their home insurance premium and provide added security to protect your home if disaster strikes. Moreover, your entire home will get extra uplift protection from high winds.
What is a hurricane clip?
You need a clip for every diagonal beam that attaches to a horizontal beam. [1] Hurricane clips are metal straps that connect the roof truss to the top of a wall.
How do hurricane clips work?
These clips work by further strengthening the bond between the roof and the walls of your house so the roof does not blow away in a hurricane.
How to attach a clip to a parallel beam?
Hammer in the clip to the parallel beam using 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) nails. Once you’ve spaced out where you are going to attach the clips, they are ready to be attached. This process starts with nailing them into the parallel beam. These nails go through the base plate of the clip.
How to position a clip in a house?
Position the clip so the gap in it is pointing forward into the house. The clips have a space where the wooden beam can sit in it. This space needs to be pointing forward into the house for the clip to work effectively.
Where does a diagonal clip go?
One piece runs parallel to the ground and the other runs diagonally upwards to meet another piece of wood in the middle. The diagonal piece meets the flat piece at the base and this is where the clip goes. You may be installing these clips before the diagonal beams have been fitted.
Where do nails go on a clip?
These nails go through the base plate of the clip.
When you've installed all the clips, it's important to go back and do a final check?
When you’ve gotten to the end and you’ve installed all the clips, it’s important to go back and do a final check. Doing this allows you to make sure you didn’t miss any nails, check that the clips are connected in the right places, and ensure everything is secure.
What are hurricane ties?
Hurricane ties are hardware pieces that connect the joists to cantilevered beams to reduce uplift forces caused by high winds. These are inexpensive and are a good precaution to use wherever high winds may be a problem, especially in zones where hurricanes and tornadoes are common.#N#Be sure that the hurricane ties and fasteners are compatible with new pressure-treated lumber. Hurricane ties will not usually be required by your local building department, but they are a cost-effective method of securing your joists over a cantilevered beam that may be lifted by high winds.
Do you need hurricane ties for pressure treated lumber?
Be sure that the hurricane ties and fasteners are compatible with new pressure-treated lumber. Hurricane ties will not usually be required by your local building department, but they are a cost-effective method of securing your joists over a cantilevered beam that may be lifted by high winds.
How do hurricane clips work?
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.
Why do we need roof 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.
How to hurricane proof a house?
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: 1 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. 2 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. 3 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.
How to secure a roof to a wall?
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.
What is Simpson Strong Tie?
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.
What is a hurricane joist hanger?
Hurricane joist hangers – these are used to create a stable connection between your roof trusses and rafters and top of your wall.
What is a hurricane ties?
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.
How much does hurricane clip save?
On average, people who upgrade from simple toe-nailing systems to proper hurricane clips/straps are able to save around 37% on their home insurance premiums.
Why is it important to find the right hurricane strap for your specific project?
Because of the different types of roofs in which the straps are used , it is important to find the right type of hurricane strap for your specific project.
What is a Hurricane Roof Strap?
Whichever name they are called by, and whichever form they are found in, hurricane roof straps are extremely important features in a roof.
How much can you save on home insurance if you have hurricane roof straps?
The percentage you save can be anywhere between 20% and 50%. This varies depending on the insurer.
Why do hurricane ties need to be installed on both sides of a rafter?
In order to ensure the best resistance to the upward forces of wind, it is important to install these hurricane ties on both sides of the rafter.
What is the best strap for a hurricane?
When it comes to existing roofs, the multipurpose or timber hur ricane straps are the most ideal choice. This is because they are designed to be used in a variety of different applications.
Where are hurricane straps mandatory?
While not necessarily commonplace in older homes in the US, hurricane straps are often a compulsory feature in newly built homes in hurricane-prone areas such as Florida, Louisiana, coastal South Eastern USA, and certain midwestern areas that are prone to tornado risks.
What are hurricane clips?
Florida homes built after 2001 are required to have hurricane clips. These are steel connectors that attach your roof to your wall structure. These are designed to withstand hurricane winds that hit your walls and put upward pressure on the overhang of your roof. In other words, they help keep the lid on.
How Much Can You Save with Hurricane Clips?
Upgrading your attachment from toe nails to clips can help you save 20 to 50 percent on your yearly home insurance premium. All Florida home insurance companies are required to offer discounts for wind mitigation measures. However, the discount amount varies from company to company.
How Much Does Hurricane Clip Retrofitting Cost?
Retrofitting costs for most homes range from at $850 to $1,350, which includes a wind mitigation inspection (these usually cost about $100). Your exact cost depends on the company you use, whether the retrofit can be done in your attic, the retrofitting upgrade you choose, and your home’s square footage.
What is the nail between a house and a hurricane?
The One Nail Standing between Your House and a Hurricane. If your Florida home was built before 2001, there’s a good chance your roof is missing a very important detail: a third nail in its metal hurricane truss straps. Homes built before the 2002 Florida Building Code took effect weren’t required to have this extra nail ...
Do you pay for hurricane insurance if your home is wind resistant?
As a general rule, the more wind resistant your home is, the less you’ll pay for your home insurance. You can learn more about how to make your home resistant to hurricane winds with our wind mitigation guide.
Does Third Nail work on hurricane straps?
Third Nail can work on most exteriors for hurricane strap retrofits, whether your home has aluminum, vinyl, metal, or wood siding. They specialize in servicing the southern half of Florida. Maximum Solutions operates throughout the state. We often recommend both companies, whose contractors are properly insured and licensed, ...
What is a hurricane strap?
Hurricane straps are metal connectors used to secure the roof’s rafters to the frame of the house. They provide increased protection against hurricanes and tropical storms.
When to put hurricane straps on a house?
In many cases, it is preferable to install hurricane straps during construction once the frame of the house has been completed. In other instances, hurricane straps can be installed during a roof replacement or re-roofing.
How many holes are there in hurricane straps?
Nails that are too short will be functionally useless and provide little to no assistance during a hurricane. Most hurricane straps come with at least four nail holes per attachment point. A nail should be inserted into each of these to ensure maximum hold.
How much do hurricane steps cost?
Hurricane steps cost between $0.35 and $0.95, depending on the store and location. This difference often has little to do with the quality of the strap, so try shopping around.
Can hurricane straps rust?
Galvanized nails and hurricane straps are preferred for this project. They won’t rust, which would result in potential cosmetic damage and weakening of the connections.
Do all homes need hurricane straps?
Not all homes need hurricane straps. If you are not in an area that receives frequent storms, you may be better off saving this project for a different time. However, homes located in areas with large volumes of hurricane activity would do well to have hurricane straps installed.
Can you replace soffit after hurricane?
Replace The Soffit Around Your House. Once you’ve successfully installed the hurricane straps, you can begin replacing the soffit that you removed. If any pieces were damaged, they’d need to be replaced. Finding a matching color, especially if your home is old, can be difficult.
Do trusses need H ties?
Engineered trusses require the H ties, Cut in framing goes with blocking and nailing schedule. Code Check is handy and can get it for Res. & Com. codes.
Do you need an H clip for a truss?
To my knowledge, "hurricane clips", ties or any other specific product have never been required prescriptively. Some form of uplift resistance has always been required. But putting in an H clip is an easy way to cover that base in most circumstances. Your truss shop drawing will tell you how many pounds up uplift the connection needs to resist. I have had several instances where an inspector blindly "required" an H clip. It has become a norm in the business, even though it is not always legitimate.
What is a hurricane tie?
When it comes to wood-frame construction, hurricane ties are among the most commonly specified connectors. They play a critical role in a structure’s continuous load path and may be used in a variety of applications, like attaching roof framing members to the supporting wall top plate (s), or tying wall top or bottom plates to the studs.
What type of steel is used for hurricane tie?
Nearly every hurricane tie is available in ZMAX®, our heavier zinc galvanized coating, and several are available in Type 316 stainless steel.
How much load can a hurricane tie hold?
If your building’s roof trusses have an uplift of 600 lb. at each end, don’t select a hurricane tie with a published capacity of less than 600 lb. It’s also important to consider combined loading if you plan to use the tie to resist both uplift and lateral loads. When the connector is resisting lateral loads, its capacity to resist uplift is reduced. I won’t go into too much detail on this topic since it was covered in a recent blog post, but in lieu of the traditional unity equation shown in Figure 1, certain Simpson Strong-Tie connectors (hurricane ties included) are permitted to use the alternative approach outlined in Figure 2.
How many hurricane ties does Simpson make?
Simpson Strong-Tie manufactures approximately 20 different models of hurricane ties, not counting twist straps, other clips, or the new fully-threaded SDWC screws often used in the same applications. This assortment of models raises the question, “How do you select the right one?”
What size nails are needed for hurricane ties?
While many hurricane ties have been evaluated with 8d x 1½” nails for compatibility with nominal 2x roof framing, some require the use of a longer, 8d common (2½” long) nail and others require a larger-diameter 10d nail.
Does wind insurance cover hurricane ties?
Availability of wind insurance discounts in your area could also affect your decision on which type of hurricane tie to use on your home. Your insurance company may provide a greater discount on your annual premium for ties that wrap over the top of your roof framing and are installed with a certain minimum quantity of nails. Check with your insurance provider for additional information and requirements.
Can you use multiple hurricane ties?
What if the tabulated loads in the catalog for a single connector just aren’t enough? Use multiple connectors! An important note on using multiple connectors, though: Using four hurricane ties doesn’t always mean you’ll get 4x the load. Check out the recently updated F-C-HWRCAG16 High Wind-Resistant Construction Application Guide for allowable loads using multiple connectors and for guidance on the proper placement of connectors so as to avoid potential overlap or fastener interference.
