How To Install Hurricane Ties & Clips [Step By Step Guide]

Living near the coast can be beautiful. Unfortunately, living close to the ocean also means that you have a significant threat of danger from storms. One thing you'll need to consider is how to secure your roof. You're in the right place if you're wondering how to do that. We've done the research and can tell you how to install hurricane clips.

Follow the steps below to put hurricane ties on your roof.

Go into your attic and count the number of places where diagonal beams meet horizontal beams.
Buy the corresponding amount of hurricane clips and nails.
Secure clips with nails to your beams.
Check your work and repair drywall or soffit if necessary.

This is a straightforward process. However, you'll need to ensure that you're putting your selected clips in the correct place. Keep reading to learn more about how to install hurricane clips, where to put them on the beams, and more!

How To Install Hurricane Ties and Clips

1. Determine The Number Of Clips You'll Need

First, you'll need to get into your attic in order to see where the roof trusses connect to a wall. You'll need a hurricane clip or tie for each of these locations. In most cases, you only need one clip for each beam. However, you'll get a much stronger hold if you put a clip on each side of your house.

If you're not already remodeling your roof, you may need to remove the soffit or drywall to find the meeting place between the roof truss and wall.

2. Buying The Clips

Determine the type of hurricane clip that you want. You can find U-shaped and single-sided ties. If you select a U-shaped bracket, ensure that the width of the bracket is compatible with your rafters.

With a single-sided hurricane tie, you'll need to ensure that its length will work with your home. A tie that's too short will not be as effective.

You also have to consider how strong the clip is and what you want it to do. For example, some ties are better suited for upward forces, while others are better for lateral or seismic. Hurricane clips are also better for different wind strengths. If you're concerned about facing high winds, get a tie made to withstand higher loads.

One of the choices you have for ties is the H1 strap. The H1 is U-shaped and will hug the rafter or truss, while the lower piece will go against the horizontal beam. These brackets will have an uplift load of approximately 480 and a lateral load of 190.

Take a look at this hurricane tie on Amazon.

Another option you have to choose from is the H2 strap. These are installed on a vertical post perpendicular to a wall plate and a rafter. They have an uplift load of approximately 490 pounds and a lateral load of around 160 pounds.

Check out these single-sided ties on Amazon.

Keep in mind that the load capabilities will vary depending on the manufacturer of the tie and the material that it's made from.

It's also essential to buy the correct nails. Most hurricane ties are compatible with an 18 gauge nail between 1.5 and 2.5 inches. The hurricane ties will have instructions to tell you which ones and how many you'll need.

3. Secure Clips

Position your hurricane clip on the beams and rafters. First, secure the clip to the parallel beam. Keep the bracket flush against the beam and hammer your first nail into one of the holes. Ensure the nail goes all the way into the wood for the most secure fit. Repeat until the clip is completely secured to the parallel beam.

Then you can fit the tie to the diagonal beams. Once again, make sure that the nails are flush against the bracket. You'll have a much weaker hold if you don't do this.

Be careful if you have plated trusses. Do not secure your hurricane ties from behind that metal piece. Doing so can remove the truss plate and compromise performance.

Some hurricane ties work in pairs. This means that you'll need to install two clips diagonally from each other on the same beam. Make sure that you don't install them parallel to each other. You can accidentally damage the wood if you put nails into both sides of a single piece of wood.

Before moving on to the next hurricane tie, make sure that this one is completely secured. Remember that you need to fix brackets to three different beams on some hurricane clips.

Move on to the next beam and repeat this process until you have a hurricane tie on each beam on one side of your roof. Then, repeat on the opposite side.

4. Check For A Secure Fit

Once you have hurricane ties on both sides of your beams, you'll need to check them. Make sure that you didn't accidentally miss a nail or fix the ties to the wrong beam.

After you've confirmed everything is correct, you can replace any soffit that you've had to remove or repair drywall.

Nails Vs. Screws For Installing Hurricane Ties

In most cases, the recommended installation method for hurricane ties is nails rather than screws. Screws have a higher tensile strength than nails do. This means that you can push or pull at them with great force before they fail.

However, with hurricane ties, you need more shear strength. Since nails have a higher shear strength than screws, you should use nails and not screws for your hurricane ties. Nails have more elasticity, which means that they'll be able to bend a little. In the same situation, a screw would fail.

Furthermore, most hurricane ties have specific instructions that tell you what the approved method is for installing the clips. In many cases, the instructions do not specify that you can use screws. If the manufacturer of the ties doesn't approve it, you will likely not be up to code if you use screws instead of the approved method.

Check out these nails on Amazon.

How To Protect Your Windows During A Hurricane

If there is a threat of high winds, you should also secure and protect your windows from damage. You can do this with plyboard and window clips or with hurricane shutters.

Hurricane window clips are straightforward to use. First, you'll need to get plywood to cover each of your windows. Then attach the window clips to the wood and push it into the opening around your window.

Despite being the faster and easier method, this is not a great way to protect your windows. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety states that using plywood is only acceptable if you need a last-minute solution. The preferred method is to use hurricane shutters.

To do this, you'll need to measure the exterior dimensions of your windows and then add a few inches. This is important because you want to fix your shutters to the exterior of the house.

Once you have your measurements, you'll need to buy the proper amount of materials and mounting gear.

Cut your material to the correct size. Then find the studs on the exterior wall and mark where the studs will go on the shutter. Finally, fix the shutter to the outside of your home. If your chosen material has a UV coating on one side, ensure that it is facing outwards.

You can also cover doors, vents, and other vulnerable places on your home's exterior.

Once the danger has passed, you can remove the shutters. You can label which ones go where for easier installation later. You can also cover up any holes that the panels left with protective caps.

Check out these plywood clips on Amazon.

In Conclusion

Protecting your home from a natural disaster can feel overwhelming. However, it can easily be done by following the above steps. Remember to follow all manufacturer instructions and to work carefully so you get the strongest connection.

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