Roof Sheathing High Wind Areas

Use panels rated as exposure 1 or better.

Roof sheathing high wind areas.

For pitched roofs wear skid resistant shoes. In areas prone to hurricanes and high winds loss of roofing materials and sheathing is a primary concern. Building codes regarding the type number and spacing of fasteners must be followed. In high wind areas more fasteners may be required.

At intermediate supports fasten panels 12 inches on center. Oriented strand board osb or plywood can be used although plywood will provide higher nail head pull through resistance. Special wind regions and topographic factors identified in asce 7 engineered design is recommended. Windstorm panels are engineered to allow the use of the continuous sheathing methods allowed by building codes.

Roof slopes greater than 4 12 require only one layer of underlayment. In some regions the common practice is to place a moisture barrier over open sheathing to keep out wind driven rain. When the wind pressures the roof it lifts the sheathing off the roofs structure and frame. Use panels rated as exposure 1 or better.

D for the roof framing to wall connection use an h1 or equivalent connector attached on the exterior sheathing side of the exterior walls. Shingle and shake roofs may also be applied to solid sheathing at exposed eaves and rakes and similar locations. Consult with local codes and builders for the accepted practice. 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.

Sheathing type typically 15 32 inch or thicker panels are required in high wind areas. If the sheathing is properly installed there will be no damage made by high winds. The ability of a roof sheathing panel to resist high winds is directly related to how well it is secured to the roof framing. The type and number of fasteners required for a specific application is obviously an the engineered wood association apa.

When the sheathing is solid you can choose a proper material. The sheathing is the fastened to the rafters it acts like a top layer of the roofing. Sheathing type typically 15 32 inch or thicker panels are required in high wind areas. 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. As a best practices approach an augmented underlayment can provide an effective secondary. Fasteners should be 3 8 inch from panel ends and 3 8 inch from panel edges see hints below. Uplift resistance of the roof sheathing.