Hurricane Clips and Straps, What Is The Difference?

Today’s PHW Inspections Topic: Hurricane Clips and Straps, What Is The Difference?

Southwest Florida, including Sarasota, is located in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) of the state of Florida. This means that buildings in this area are subject to strict wind mitigation codes and standards to protect against wind damage during hurricanes and other severe weather events.

Some of the wind mitigation codes and requirements for new construction and major renovations in HVHZ areas include metal roof-to-wall attachment: The roof must be securely attached to the walls of the building with approved metal connectors such as hurricane Wraps, commonly known as Straps, or Clips.

Both hurricane clips and hurricane straps are designed to strengthen the connection between a roof and the wall of a house, and to prevent the roof from being lifted off during a hurricane or high winds.

From an insurance and wind mitigation report perspective, the main difference between hurricane clips and hurricane straps is in the level of protection they offer and how they are classified by building codes and insurance companies. In general, hurricane straps are considered to offer a higher level of protection than hurricane clips, as they provide more surface area for attachment and can withstand stronger winds.

To be a Clip or Strap the roof attachments must meet the minimal requirements listed below or the roof to wall connection is considered as Toe Nail or Other connections.

Two required conditions to be considered a Strap or Clip are:

1. Secured to truss/rafter with a minimum of three (3) nails, and
2. Attached to the wall top plate of the wall framing, or embedded in the bond beam, with less than a ½” gap from the blocking or truss/rafter and blocked no more than 1.5” of the truss/rafter, and free of visible severe corrosion.

Clips

• Metal connectors that do not wrap over the top of the truss/rafter, or
• Metal connectors with a minimum of 1 strap that wraps over the top of the truss/rafter and does not meet the nail position requirements of a Wrap a minimum of 3 nails.

Single Wrap (Strap)

• Metal connectors consisting of a single strap that wraps over the top of the truss/rafter and is secured with a minimum of 2 nails on the front side and a minimum of 1 nail on the opposing side.

There are other categories of roof to wall attachments found on the UMVI but Toe Nails, Wraps and Clips are the most common.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when it comes to hurricane Clips and hurricane Straps. Hurricane clips and straps should be installed by a qualified contractor. They should be inspected regularly to make sure they are in good condition. This is one of the reasons why the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection (UMVI) or Wind Mitigation Report is required every 5 years by most insurance companies.

In summary, hurricane straps are typically stronger and more versatile than hurricane clips, but both can provide effective reinforcement against wind damage. It’s important to consult with a building professional or code enforcement officer to determine which type of fastener is appropriate for your specific building project or retrofit.

Strap Images Below

Clip Images Below