With hurricane winds in Palm Beach County Florida, The Department of Building Safety has strict building codes that are enforced when a roof on an existing site-built, single-family residential structure is replaced or built, hurricane straps are required. K-Boys Construction can help you with your hurricane strap installation whether being a retrofit or new construction.

What exactly is a hurricane strap? A hurricane strap is used to help secure wooden structures making it more resistant to high winds that resisting racking, overturning, sliding, and resisting uplift. They are made of stainless steel or galvanized steel ensuring protection from weather conditions in Palm Beach County such as tropical storms and hurricanes.

After the devastating effects on homes and business in 1992 with Hurricane Andrew, hurricane straps became mandatory within the building code enforcement. Government agencies including FEMA, Department of Energy as well as the Department of Defense along with many private and public sectors have created wind load testing facilities to test the effects of high winds on structures thus creating the best building systems on the market today to protect your home and property from catastrophic events such as a tornado or hurricane. Palm Beach County has one of the most strict building codes requiring structures to withstand winds of up to 146 miles per hour. Having a contractor such as K-Boys Construction to help you determine what type of hurricane strap is vital to the safety of your home/business.

With over 20 different models of hurricane straps, ( this does not include twist straps or other clips.) There are a few things to consider when selecting the right hurricane strap for your project. At K-Boys Construction our knowledgeable staff can help you determine what is the best hurricane strap that will work with your structure.

Dimensional Requirements - Making sure the width of the opening in a truss or rafter is appropriate for the width of the opening of the hurricane strap. The vast majority of hurricane straps are one-sided, there is also a U shape design that fits into trust and rafters. This allows fastening on both sides. Another thing to consider is the wood being attached should also be well matched to the height of the hurricane strap.

Demand Load - When selecting the proper hurricane strap you need to consider a tie that will work with both uplift and lateral loads. If your roof trusses have an uplift of 600lb, never select a hurricane strap with less then a 600lb capacity. Considering combined loading when using the hurricane strap for both uplift and lateral loads.

Fasteners with Hurricane Straps

It is necessary that you pay close attention to the diameter and length of the fasteners. For example, a hurricane strap that has been tested with 8d x 1½” nails for working with a 2x roof framing, some straps require the use of a longer or larger diameter nail. To avoid improper installations on the job.  K-Boys Construction can provide you with the proper products for a continuous load path.

Wall Framing

If your roof and wall framing line up using a single hurricane strap, this will create a continuous load path. If your framing does not align using two connectors will be needed to complete your load path. To avoid mistakes hiring a top-notch professional service that K-Boys Constitution offers will avoid any mistakes with the framing and installation of the hurricane straps.

With all the factors involved K-Boys Construction in Palm Beach County is the right decision for all of your hurricane strap installation and retrofitting. We can help you with any questions you may have regarding types of hurricane staps and building and permits needed for your upcoming project. Contact us Today!

To see what permit and building codes please visit the Code Enforcement Division of Palm Beach County.