Roof Sheathing High Wind Areas

The ability of a roof sheathing panel to resist high winds is directly related to how well it is secured to the roof framing.

Roof sheathing high wind areas.

Use panels rated as exposure 1 or better. Sheathing type typically 15 32 inch or thicker panels are required in high wind areas. When the wind pressures the roof it lifts the sheathing off the roofs structure and frame. Building codes regarding the type number and spacing of fasteners must be followed.

Fasteners should be 3 8 inch from panel ends and 3 8 inch from panel edges see hints below. Shingle and shake roofs may also be applied to solid sheathing at exposed eaves and rakes and similar locations. In some regions the common practice is to place a moisture barrier over open sheathing to keep out wind driven rain. If the sheathing is properly installed there will be no damage made by high winds.

The sheathing is the fastened to the rafters it acts like a top layer of the roofing. High wind building codes such as sstd 10 99 and the wfcm call for structural panels to cover from the top of the top plate to the bottom of the bottom plate or mid band to meet combined uplift and shear values. At intermediate supports fasten panels 12 inches on center. Use panels rated as exposure 1 or better.

Roof slopes greater than 4 12 require only one layer of underlayment. Special wind regions and topographic factors identified in asce 7 engineered design is recommended. In areas prone to hurricanes and high winds loss of roofing materials and sheathing is a primary concern. Uplift resistance of the roof sheathing.

D for the roof framing to wall connection use an h1 or equivalent connector attached on the exterior sheathing side of the exterior walls. In very windy areas solid sheathing is often used. In high wind areas more fasteners may be required. The roof to wall connection under high wind loads is subject to both uplift and shear due to positive or negative wind pressure on the walls below.

Windstorm panels are engineered to allow the use of the continuous sheathing methods allowed by building codes. Increase the uplift resistance of the roof sheathing. Oriented strand board osb or plywood can be used although plywood will provide higher nail head pull through resistance. Oriented strand board osb or plywood can be used although plywood will provide higher nail head pull through resistance.

The type and number of fasteners required for a specific application is obviously an the engineered wood association apa. For pitched roofs wear skid resistant shoes. As a best practices approach an augmented underlayment can provide an effective secondary. Underlayment in high wind areas i e where wind speeds are 110 mph or greater must be secured with corrosion resistant fasteners spaced no more than 36 inches apart.