Friday, October 29, 2010

It's not rocket science... Hurricane Straps

Do hurricane straps on your roof really do much?

“Non-Engineer” Answer: Yes! The straps use the weight of your home as an anchor.
Explanation: When properly installed, “hurricane straps” are very effective at resisting the uplift forces of high winds. Straps are used to attach your roof framing to your walls to keep your roof from blowing off. Because the size of the straps and fasteners vary, the engineer is required to calculate the uplift forces acting on the roof framing so that the appropriate strap can be selected. When properly designed, the straps essentially use the weight of your exterior walls and foundation as an anchoring system to keep your roof on top of your home and out of the neighbor’s yard.

Commentary: It is worth knowing that straps are required by numerous States and municipalities along both the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf Cost. Also straps are not just used at the Roof-to-Wall connection. Straps are also used at Wall-to-Foundation connections and to tie your second story walls to your first story walls. For an online catalogue of hurricane straps and connectors, visit the Simpson Strong-Tie website at
www.strongtie.com

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