[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”923″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1504989529494{border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1504989434649{padding-bottom: -15px !important;}”]
PLEASE NOTE – These roof shape strengths are not rated by whether the roof covering will be torn off. It’s based on the structural strength and uplift resistance. Regardless of what type of roof covering is installed, the roof covering will typically sustain damage when winds are 100+ mph. However, although a flat roof shape is rated as the weakest structural roof connection, it is ironically the strongest roof covering when properly installed – i.e. A mineral surfaced cap sheet attached with hot tar, or a modified bitumen cap sheet installed with hot tar. Even though the roof material is a stronger connection and is less likely to sustain wind damage, this will not matter if the structure sustains damage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Flat Roofs – A flat roof is the structurally weakest roof type. This roof type is usually the weakest roof shape due to the fact that the roof will typically catch wind underneath the overhang rather than having it shed over a sloping roof. In many cases, the flat roof may be a Florida room or exterior patio roof. In these cases, significant wind pressure can build up underneath the flat roof and cause it to be structurally damaged or in the worst case, torn off of the home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”931″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” title=”Florida Carport Flat Roof Susceptible to Uplift Damage”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Gable Roof – A gable roof is a sloped roof that has 2 slopes on each side with a section at the end of the roof that is raised straight up from the tie-beam in the wall. These gable sections can be a wind catch if facing the prominent wind in the hurricane. You must note that there are a great many homes which have concrete gable ends and some homes will have wood gable ends. A wood gable end is nowhere near the strength of a concrete gable end. However, a wood gable end can be braced to add extra support. The sloping sections that come down to the wall will shed the wind because they are connected by the home’s roof to wall connections.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”935″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” title=”Gable End Hurricane Damage”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]This roof is the middle ground as far as roof shape applies to home damage. If you have a wood gable end, checking to see if it is laterally braced or if it has diagonal cross bracing (most common) is a good way to know if your gable end can pose a danger to your home or your family. Below are a few photos to show a properly braced gable end.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”937″ img_size=”full” title=”Lateral Gable End Bracing”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”938″ img_size=”full” title=”Gable End Cross-Bracing”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hip Roof – A hip roof is the strongest roof shape on typical Florida homes. This a roof that slopes down to every wall section and is connected directly to the tie-beam around the entire home. This roof shape is the safest not only because the wind will shed over all of the sloped sections, but it is also attached to the wall with the different types of roof to wall connections. These types of connections are described further into this article.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”940″ img_size=”full” title=”Hip Roof/Gable Roof Difference”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”941″ img_size=”full” title=”Hip Roof Example”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]**There are exceptions to these roof shape strength ratings. Please note that structural RTW connections and double wrap RTW connections may change the strength rating of these roof shapes. Also, having a concrete gable end or a braced gable end can change whether this would be rated much lower than a hip roof covering. This is a general guide rated off of the average South Florida home to determine the strength of your roof. This guide should not be used a determining factor in whether or not you should evacuate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
WHAT WILL HURRICANE IRMA DO TO MY ROOF?
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1504989584109{margin-top: -30px !important;}”]Hurricane Irma hits South Florida
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Here at Atlantic Coast Contractors we have received near 100 calls in the last few days from previous and current customers asking what type of damage their roof is able to sustain. So we wanted to give you a breakdown of how this storm will affect your roof covering. This article is just meant to give some insight and more in depth knowledge of what strength wind speeds your roof might be able to sustain, but in no way should be used as a guide in deciding where to bunker down for the storm.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With our years of extensive experience and hands-on expertise of South Florida homes, we have compiled an article that goes over what type of roof damage you can expect from Hurricane Irma. We split this article into 5 sections: Roof Coverings, Roof Shapes, Roof-to-Wall Connections, Roof Deck Nailing, and Opening Protection. We will describe the various dangers and strengths of different roof covering and shapes. If you believe this article to be helpful, please pass this along to your family and friends. If we can impact 1 person’s safety even slightly, it will be worth sharing![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Roof Coverings
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As far as your roof covering materials are concerned, there really is no material that will not sustain wind damage from Hurricane Irma if the eye were to hit your area directly. Even brand new tile and shingle roof coverings will lose pieces of roof material when winds exceed 100+ mph. If winds that are 100+ mph are to hit your area, it is best to assume that you will have roof damage that will need to be addressed after Hurricane Irma passes through our area. We are ready to help you with your roof damage after Hurricane Irma passes. Should you sustain roof damage, develop roof leaks, or have projectile damage to your roof covering, please give us a call after the hurricane and we will be happy to come assess the damage and take care of your roof. If you have any questions please call Steve Hardy at (954)655-5724. Continue reading below for more information on the strengths and weaknesses of your roof type.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”928″ img_size=”full” title=”Hurricane Damage on a Tile Roof”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”929″ img_size=”full” title=”Hurricane Damage on a Shingle Roof”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Roof Shapes
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Roof shape is one of the biggest factors in how your roof may fare with various wind speeds. Hurricane Irma is currently producing wind speeds that can cause devastating damage to your home or business. The shape of your roof will determine how well the wind sheds off your roof or how much exposure you have to the wind from different directions. Typically, most homes will have a weak point based on how the roof shape is configured. There are 3 different residential and commercial roof types. They are a Flat Roof, a Gable Roof, and a Hip Roof. The different South Florida roof shapes/types are listed below in order from weakest to the strongest:PLEASE NOTE – These roof shape strengths are not rated by whether the roof covering will be torn off. It’s based on the structural strength and uplift resistance. Regardless of what type of roof covering is installed, the roof covering will typically sustain damage when winds are 100+ mph. However, although a flat roof shape is rated as the weakest structural roof connection, it is ironically the strongest roof covering when properly installed – i.e. A mineral surfaced cap sheet attached with hot tar, or a modified bitumen cap sheet installed with hot tar. Even though the roof material is a stronger connection and is less likely to sustain wind damage, this will not matter if the structure sustains damage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Flat Roofs – A flat roof is the structurally weakest roof type. This roof type is usually the weakest roof shape due to the fact that the roof will typically catch wind underneath the overhang rather than having it shed over a sloping roof. In many cases, the flat roof may be a Florida room or exterior patio roof. In these cases, significant wind pressure can build up underneath the flat roof and cause it to be structurally damaged or in the worst case, torn off of the home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”931″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” title=”Florida Carport Flat Roof Susceptible to Uplift Damage”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Gable Roof – A gable roof is a sloped roof that has 2 slopes on each side with a section at the end of the roof that is raised straight up from the tie-beam in the wall. These gable sections can be a wind catch if facing the prominent wind in the hurricane. You must note that there are a great many homes which have concrete gable ends and some homes will have wood gable ends. A wood gable end is nowhere near the strength of a concrete gable end. However, a wood gable end can be braced to add extra support. The sloping sections that come down to the wall will shed the wind because they are connected by the home’s roof to wall connections.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”935″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” title=”Gable End Hurricane Damage”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]This roof is the middle ground as far as roof shape applies to home damage. If you have a wood gable end, checking to see if it is laterally braced or if it has diagonal cross bracing (most common) is a good way to know if your gable end can pose a danger to your home or your family. Below are a few photos to show a properly braced gable end.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”937″ img_size=”full” title=”Lateral Gable End Bracing”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”938″ img_size=”full” title=”Gable End Cross-Bracing”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hip Roof – A hip roof is the strongest roof shape on typical Florida homes. This a roof that slopes down to every wall section and is connected directly to the tie-beam around the entire home. This roof shape is the safest not only because the wind will shed over all of the sloped sections, but it is also attached to the wall with the different types of roof to wall connections. These types of connections are described further into this article.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”940″ img_size=”full” title=”Hip Roof/Gable Roof Difference”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”941″ img_size=”full” title=”Hip Roof Example”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]**There are exceptions to these roof shape strength ratings. Please note that structural RTW connections and double wrap RTW connections may change the strength rating of these roof shapes. Also, having a concrete gable end or a braced gable end can change whether this would be rated much lower than a hip roof covering. This is a general guide rated off of the average South Florida home to determine the strength of your roof. This guide should not be used a determining factor in whether or not you should evacuate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Roof-to-Wall Connections
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a hurricane, typically the overall roof structural strength will be determined by the strength of your hurricane clips or straps. This is a completely separate aspect than your roof covering and does not affect whether or not you will lose tile or shingles on your roof covering during the storm. This is what affects the overall structural strength of your roof truss system and plywood roof deck as well. These connections are called the Roof to Wall Connections, in which a strap of metal is embedded into the concrete wall tie beam and is attached to the roof trusses where they meet the wall. Below is a description of Roof to Wall Connections starting with the weakest connection and ending with the strongest. These ratings should not be used to influence your decision on whether or not to evacuate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Toe-Nailed Connection – A toe-nailed roof to wall connection is a connection in which there is no metal strap. This connection consists of the roof truss resting on top of the tie-beam with a 2-4″ nail driven into it diagonally. If you have this type of roof to wall connection, we highly recommend that you evacuate your home immediately in the event that the storm takes a turn toward South Florida. During hurricane Andrew, the majority of the homes that were a complete loss and were utterly destroyed had a toe-nailed roof to wall connection. Toe-nailed roof to wall connections are found on the majority of homes that were built prior to 1965-1970 and is also found in homes that were built later.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”943″ img_size=”full” title=”Toe-Nailed Roof to Wall Connection”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Clips – A clip is considered a piece of metal that does not wrap over the truss and is nail directly into the truss, or is a strap that does wrap over the truss, but contains less than 3 nails into the truss. These clips will offer mid level protection, and personally I would not rely on these protecting your home in a direct hit from a category 4 hurricane.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”953″ img_size=”full” title=”Clip Roof to Wall Connection – Doesn’t Wrap Truss”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Straps – A strap is a roof to wall connection that is attached into the wall tie beam and completely wraps over the truss at the wall connection. These straps must have a minimum of 3 nails attaching to the roof truss with a minimum of 2 nails attaching to the roof truss on the anchor side of the truss. In my opinion, a home that has a full hurricane strap is in substantially better shape then a home that has a toe-nailed roof to wall connection or a clip roof to wall connection. These are the main support connections that prevent lifting at the perimeter of your home or business.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”949″ img_size=”full” title=”Single Wrap Roof to Wall Connection”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”950″ img_size=”full” title=”Single Wrap Roof to Wall Connection”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Double Wraps – This is a roof to wall connection in which there are 2 straps that wrap around each truss and consist of the anchor side of the metal meeting the truss on opposite sides. This roof to wall connection is the safest conventional roof to wall connection outside of structural connections. In my opinion, a home will double wraps will be a relatively safe home to be in during the hurricane.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”955″ img_size=”full” title=”Double Wrap”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Structural Connections – A structural roof to wall connection is a solid concrete connection which is most commonly found on a Bermuda roof or a commercial building with a structural concrete roof deck supported by steel girders. This means that the tie-in between the wall and the concrete roof deck is a seamless concrete pour and is the most safe connection of all roof to wall connections available. A building or home with this type of roof to wall connection would be the safest structure to wait out this hurricane and this connection will be found at most of the shelters provided by emergency services. If you are unaware of your roof to wall connection, we would highly suggest getting into a shelter that has this type of roof to wall connection or to evacuate the area which is under immediate threat as soon as possible.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Roof Deck Nailing
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Roof deck nailing will determine how strong the attachment of the plywood is to the roof truss system. There is no way to evaluate this prior to the storm, but it is an important factor to know. All roofs that Atlantic Coast Contractors have replaced, have the roof deck re-nailed. We always do this to ensure that the roof deck has a strong attachment prior to installing the new roof system. We always nail the roof deck with 8d ring-shank nails spaced 6” on the edge and 6” in the field on a plywood roof and 2 8d ring-shank nails per tongue and groove roof deck board. If your roof deck is nailed weaker than these attachment methods, it could be at risk of sustaining additional damage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”960″ img_size=”full” title=”Roof Deck Re-Nailed to Add Strength”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you would like to check your roof deck nailing, you may be able to locate it in your last mitigation inspection report which would have been needed for your insurance company. A “C” deck attachment is the strongest rating and an “A” deck attachment rating is the weakest. This may be found on the declaration page in your insurance policy packet. This is typically found on the 3rd or 4th page.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”927″ img_size=”full” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Opening Protection
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]All too often people will think that the strength of their roof is related only to the roof itself. This IS NOT the case! Opening protection is one of the biggest factors in whether or not your roof can survive a substantial hurricane. It is imperative that all of your glazed openings (openings with glass) are completely covered. It is highly recommended that these openings are protected using Miami Dade impact rated devices or with DCA-LSG Impact rated windows and doors. Most opening protection is required to pass TAS 201, 202, and 203 or PA 201, 202, and 203 testing procedures. However, if installing plywood over your glazed openings is the only form of protection available to you, by all means get every opening protected! Make sure that when you install the wood, that you DO NOT install it to the window or door frame. Rather, you will want to anchor and attach this wood protection to the surrounding concrete wall. Below we will explain why opening protection is so imperative.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are many dangers of having unprotected windows and doors on your home. The obvious reason is that if a window blows in your are going to get water in your home and threatening winds that will destroy the interior of your home. However, the main critical point of the opening protection is to prevent a negative wind pressure from building up in your home. If you were to have all but 1 openings impact rated on your home, this is actually more dangerous than having several that are not protected. The reason this is the case is that when a heavy wind blows into your home and cannot escape it builds up pressure inside. When this pressure builds it will begin to push UP on your roof to wall connections and your roof truss system. When this happens and you combine it with the wind force that the roof is incurring on the outside of the home…. This is one the most common reasons that a roof will rip off of the walls in a hurricane! We do not post this article to scare people but to ensure that people realize how important their opening protection is to the safety of their roof. Please ensure that all of your glazed openings are protected to help your homes’ safety and your families safety.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”964″ img_size=”full” onclick=”img_link_large” title=”Damage from Inadequate Opening Protection”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1504999817047{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-top-style: solid !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]Here at Atlantic Coast Contractors we are here to help you rebuild your home and roof should you sustain damage, and even here for more minor needs after the hurricane. If there is something we can do to help you after Hurricane Irma has passed our area, please do not hesitate to call Steven Hardy at (954)655-5724. We will be giving previous customers and their families and friends priority after this storm regarding roof damage and roof leaks. We will do everything in our power to help you and your families. Even if you need something as small as a few cans of non-perishable food, please give us a call and if we are able to help, we absolutely will. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and we wish you and your families the best. Please stay safe and if there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask.If you think this article is helpful, please share it with as many of your friends and family as possible. A greater understanding of your homes ability to withstand hurricane winds could mean a lesser loss of life or injury.
Steve Hardy
Roofing Contractor
Atlantic Coast Contractors
954-655-5724[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]