How to Install Hurricane Ties in 4 Steps
Reinforce your roof’s defenses against inclement weather and gale-force winds
High winds—like those experienced during a hurricane—can shake the bones of your home. Hurricane ties are steel connectors that reinforce your roof’s trusses by securing them to the wall framing. In the event of winds of 74 mph and higher, your roof has a better chance of staying secure and in place with hurricane ties. Learning how to install hurricane ties requires a bit of know-how around structural elements like roof trusses and beams, so read on to evaluate if you’re ready for the task.
What Are Hurricane Ties?
Hurricane ties have many names, including hurricane clips, straps, or rafter and roof truss ties. These metal pieces have nail and screw holes made of stainless or galvanized steel. They add extra reinforcement to the areas where your roof framing meets your home, so if you ever experience severe weather, your roof is more likely to withstand the storm. Building codes in some areas require hurricane ties in new builds and reroofing projects.
Types of Hurricane Ties
The two main types of hurricane ties are single-sided and U-shaped, and both come in different models and shapes. Some models are made for wooden walls, while others are made for wood, concrete, and masonry walls. Also, hurricane tie models vary in size, so measuring your trusses and rafters correctly before buying your materials will save you time and money.
Here’s a quick rundown of the types of hurricane ties, their basic function, and which works best for what:
Single-sided hurricane ties: Single-sided ties reinforce the connection between the truss and the wall plate. You can install these in pairs or by themselves. Single-sided ties include models H2.5T, H2A, H8, H3, H2.5A, H6, and H7Z. Each has a slightly different shape and length and most are rated for moderate loads.
U-shaped hurricane ties: This type of tie can withstand uplift and downward forces. These are a common choice because of their ability to handle larger demand loads and they’re faster to install than two single-sided ties. Models H1A, H1.81Z, H10S, H14, H11Z, H10A, and HS24 are all U-shaped ties. Some models have longer bottom straps, while others are made for trusses and rafters at specific pitches.
Other ties: Hurricane gusset angles (HGA) have a 90-degree shape and connect the truss to the top plate. HPT hurricane ties, made for homes in Hawaii, connect rafters to the walls.
Prepping to Install Hurricane Ties
Some things to look for that may indicate you should opt for emergency tarping or roof repair include missing or damaged shingles, interior water leaks, visible damage to the components of the roof, or signs of large debris, like tree branches, on your roof.
— Niki O'Brien, Operations Manager at Custom Exteriors LLC, Berthoud, CO
Before you begin, consider calling a structural engineer near you to inspect your roofing and assess the strength of the connection between the roof and wall plate. Based on your home’s physical location and the demand load, your structural engineer can recommend the type and number of roof ties to withstand potential hurricane forces. Hiring a structural engineer costs about $350 to $800.
If you decide to handle everything yourself, you’ll want to take measurements and make notes. For one, your trusses will have a capacity rating in pounds, so you need to get hurricane ties that can handle that capacity. Depending on your roof, you may need to install multiple hurricane ties for one rafter or truss to meet the capacity requirement.
How to Install Hurricane Ties
Learning how to hurricane-proof your home with hurricane ties can help you protect your home from the force of extreme weather. Here are the four steps you need to follow.
1. Identify the Connections
Each connection will need its own hurricane tie for reinforcement. Specifically, you’re looking for spots where the diagonal truss meets a horizontal beam running to the roof. The hurricane tie will be fitted to these two pieces of wood, creating a continuous load path.
2. Position the Hurricane Tie
The hurricane tie may come with specific instructions for positioning the tie. For example, if you’re using a U-shaped tie, you’ll want to place it around the rafter or truss and against the wall plate. Ties should be located at connection points as well as between the joists and the top plate (e.g., the horizontal beam on top of the walls).
3. Secure the Hurricane Tie
The hurricane tie may also include special fasteners. If not, you may want to choose a structural screw or ten-nail for securing the tie. Make sure to utilize all the holes provided to maximize reinforcement and secure the tie flush against the wall plate.
4. Test the Hurricane Tie
Ensure all of the screws or nails are firmly in place and nothing is wobbly or rickety. A series of well-installed ties is your roof’s best defense against uplift forces.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Since hurricane ties are a structural project located and installed near your roof’s joists, a roofer near you can help with this project. Roof labor costs range from $45 to $75 per hour, which doesn’t include the cost of materials. When all is said and done, this is likely a full-day project for a roofing contractor. You’ll pay more if more ties are needed or connections are more challenging to access while retrofitting your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re installing hurricane ties, consider other storm-proofing projects. You could call a window pro to install storm windows, get in touch with a door installer to add storm doors, or just ask your hurricane tie installer what other projects they’d recommend you get done at the same time.
If you know the damage a hurricane can cause, you know how essential it is to protect your home. Getting ready for hurricane season can go beyond roofing reinforcement and extend to other external entry points where water and wind could damage your home. You may want to install hurricane window film to protect windows and glass doors or invest in storm windows. Storm windows cost an average of $12,000 and offer impact-resistant window surfaces with a better chance of fending off high winds.
A roofer can inspect your home to make the best choice for hurricane tie installation. Roofers use different types of hurricane ties, depending on the structure of your roof, local codes, and the type of inclement weather you need to protect against. A preliminary inspection by a roofer (and possibly an engineer) can help guide the project with the best technical recommendations.