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Retrofit of Existing Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

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    Scope Images
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    Strengthen an existing roof by applying two-part spray-applied polyurethane foam adhesive to all sheathing and framing joints from the underside of the roof
    Scope

    To retrofit the roof of an existing home for high-wind or seismic resistance:

    • Install a two-part spray-applied polyurethane foam adhesive to the underside of the roof to increase the uplift strength and rigidity between the roof sheathing and the trusses or rafters.
    • Install structural screws or metal straps to connect the roof and wall top plate framing to increase the strength of the roof trusses or rafters against uplift.
    • Install skylights and windows with impact-resistant glass in regions that experience high winds and hurricanes. Or, provide coverings for non-impact-resistant skylights and windows.

    See the following Building America Solution Center guides for more information:

    See the U.S. Department of Energy’s Standard Work Specifications (SWS) for more on installing spray polyurethane foam in unvented attics. 

    See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home programENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.

    Description
    Description

    Today’s building codes already incorporate stringent requirements to help protect new homes from catastrophic failures during high winds, hurricanes, or seismic events. However, older homes built to the weaker building codes of the past are at risk.

    These older homes are likely to lack the metal connectors that make a home far more resistant to uplift forces during high winds or the necessary braced wall paneling to resist shear forces during an earthquake. Older, unreinforced homes can incur extensive damage when subjected to high winds or a seismic event, threatening the safety and security of the occupants. Fortunately, an arsenal of retrofit solutions exists for strengthening existing homes. Additionally, insurance companies sometimes provide significant financial incentives to homeowners to perform such retrofit strengthening work.

    Retrofit bracing and strengthening a roof consists of strengthening the connections of the roof decking to the rafters or trusses, , the rafters/trusses to the top plate, and the wall studs to the top and bottom plates, and increasing the shear strength of the wall. The last point is covered in-depth in a separate Solution Center guide, Bracing of Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance.

    Retrofit Strengthening of the Roof Decking to Rafter/Truss Connection without Roof Cover Replacement Using High-Density Spray Adhesive

    The roof decking to roof rafter/truss connection strength can be doubled without replacing the roof covering by applying a two-part, spray polyurethane foam adhesive to the underside of the roof deck as shown in Figure 1 (ASC 2008). At approximately $1.65 per square foot of roof deck, this method is an economical option for strengthening the roof sheathing to rafter/truss connection when the roof does not need to be replaced (Personal communications with Jimmy Burgess at FoamSeal, August 18, 2020). For cathedral ceilings, any interior wall finish such as drywall and cavity insulation will need to be removed to perform this task.

    Strengthening a roof with two-part spray-applied polyurethane foam adhesive applied to the underside of the roof at all joints between sheathing, all intersections between roof sheathing and roof framing members, and at all valleys to secure the roof sheathing.
    Figure 1. Strengthening a roof with two-part spray-applied polyurethane foam adhesive applied to the underside of the roof at all joints between sheathing, all intersections between roof sheathing and roof framing members, and at all valleys to secure the roof sheathing. (Source: IBHS Fortified Home.)

     

    The spray adhesive used must meet the following minimum requirements:

    • The product must be tested and evaluated in accordance with either ASTM E330, Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference (applied to roof sheathing), or TAS 202-94, Criteria for Testing Impact and Non-Impact-Resistant Building Envelope Components Using Uniform Static Air Pressure. The minimum allowable design uplift pressure must be greater than or equal to 110 psf and the proof test pressure achieved without failure or structural distress must be greater than or equal to 165 psf.
    • The adhesive must be a two-component spray polyurethane foam system with a minimum core density of 1.5 to 3.0 pcf in accordance with ASTM D1622, Standard Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics.
    • Spray polyurethane foam adhesive systems must be installed by a properly trained and qualified applicator in accordance with the manufacturer’s maintenance and installation guidelines.

    The spray adhesive is applied to the underside of the roof in the attic in a 1.5- to 3-inch-deep layer to all joints between sheathing, all intersections between roof sheathing and roof framing members, and all valleys. The adhesive has an added benefit of sealing the joints of the roof deck to help prevent water intrusion. While not as effective as installing an underlayment, the adhesive will help minimize water infiltration. Consult local building codes prior to using this adhesive method in high seismic risk locations because it may be too effective and cause the building to transfer loads to the foundation with a shorter period and higher amplitude, causing overloading of the foundation supports (Cushman 2009).

    Retrofit Strengthening of the Roof Decking to Rafter or Truss Connection with Roof Cover Replacement using Additional Nails

    The best way to strengthen the connection between the roof decking and the rafters or trusses is to add nails to the roof decking and to ensure the nails penetrate into the rafters or trusses below. This requires access to the roof decking from above and thus this method can only be accomplished with a roof cover replacement. The Fortified Roof program (sponsored by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety [IBHS]) recommends 8d smooth-shank nails spaced nominally at 4 inches on center (in. o.c.) along all framing members or 8d ring-shank nails at 6 in. o.c. along all framing members. See Fortified Home’s Re-Roofing Checklist and other roofing resources for guidance on making the home more hurricane and high wind resistant.

    Retrofit Strengthening Wall to Truss or Rafter Connection with Metal Connectors

    Although the Fortified certification program considers upgrading or verifying the connector hardware forming the continuous load path in an existing home to be very difficult, it is possible to strengthen the connections in an existing home. It may be cost prohibitive to remove enough finishes to add all of the metal connectors that would be required to meet the structural requirements of a new home; however, strengthening a home should not be viewed as an all-or-nothing task. Because it is challenging to retrofit, it is helpful to know what locations are the most critical to strengthen and to know about innovative products that can make the task easier.

    The areas that experience the highest wind uplift loads on a roof are the outside corners and the gable ends. Thus, the most important areas to retrofit are the 6 to 8 ft nearest the outside corners and the gable ends. This is not to say that there is no value to adding tie downs at every roof-to-wall connection. However, if time and finances are limited, these are the areas to prioritize. The prioritization is also driven by a requirement introduced in 2006 in Florida requiring single-family structures valued at $300,000 or more that are in the wind-borne debris region to receive an inspection of their roof-wall connections (FBC 2006). If they are found to be inadequate, there is a mandate to retrofit the roof-to-wall connections by installing new hardware or adding nails to existing hardware, starting with reinforcing the corners. (The Florida legislatures put a cap on the retrofits of no more than 15% of the total cost of re-roofing the home.)

    The installation of metal roof-to-wall connectors can be accomplished in three ways in a retrofit application. Sometimes multiple methods are needed in one home due to the home’s layout.

    The metal connectors can be installed from the inside. A few square inches of drywall at the top of the wall and the ceiling will need to be cut and removed to expose the wall top plates, the truss or rafter, and a few inches adjacent to allow working room for the metal connector to be installed, as shown in Figure 2. A stud finder can sometimes locate the truss or rafter location while other times it might be easier to locate the rafter or stud by using a reference point locator tool with the transmitter placed on the truss or rafter from the attic. If the attic insulation is a blown-in variety such as fiberglass or cellulose, a rake can be used in the attic to move the insulation out of the way so it doesn’t fall into the room when the drywall is cut. The drywall is patched after the connectors have been installed.

    Add metal connectors to strengthen framing connections in an existing wall from inside the home by removing drywall.
    Figure 2. Add metal connectors to strengthen framing connections in an existing wall from inside the home by removing drywall. Note more drywall was removed here than really necessary to install the metal connectors. (Source: Reynolds 2008.)

     

    The metal connectors can be installed from the outside by accessing the roof-to-wall connection through the soffits. Depending on the soffit material, some nails may need to be pulled and care must be taken as vinyl soffit panels may crack when being removed. As a result, installing the metal connectors this way may result in some soffit material needing replacement. If the soffit material can be reused, label each piece so they can be replaced in the same way. In hurricane zones, it is recommended that vinyl soffit vent covers that rest in J channels be replaced with mechanically fastened metal soffit vent covers that provide greater resistance to displacement in heavy winds.

    Metal connectors can also be installed during reroofing. The roof sheathing at the eaves is removed to expose the roof-to-wall connection, allowing straps, clips, or right-angle brackets to be installed. This is the most economical option if a new roof is already needed. For more details about retrofit procedures, please see the Wood Frame Roof-to-Wall Connections page in the Hurricane Retrofit Guide (2010) by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

    New products can help make the task of increasing the uplift strength of the roof to wall connection easier. The connection of studs to their top and bottom plates can be strengthened with engineered structural screws specifically designed for this purpose. These engineered structural screws can offer resistance to uplift and lateral loads comparable to a hurricane tie while being easier to install in retrofit applications, as shown in Figure 3. If interior wall finishes such as drywall are present, a minimum amount will need to be removed to expose the wood connections for installation of the screws. By comparison, a metal connector would require that enough drywall be removed to allow room for nails to be installed from the side. Structural screws are usually 6 inches long and they are driven using an angle guide from the bottom corner of the double top plate through the top plates and into the rafter or truss. Please check with your local building code officials to see if these designed structural screws are acceptable alternatives to metal connectors.

    Right - Correct angle for installing an engineered structural screw to secure a rafter to a wall for hurricane resistance.
    Figure 3. Correct angle for installing an engineered structural screw to secure a rafter to a wall for hurricane resistance. (Source:  FastenMaster.)

     

    Retrofit Strengthening of the Gable Overhang-to-Gable End Wall

    The  most frequent building failure in hurricanes is due to a weak gable overhang-to-gable end wall connection. The failure due to uplift wind forces causes the roof sheathing and gable end wall to also fail. The gable overhangs in older homes are sometimes built using what is known as the attached ladder detail. This gable construction method, shown in Figure 4, consists of framing dimensional lumber into a ladder shape and then nailing it to the gable end wall. This is a much weaker method for constructing an overhang compared to the lookout or outrigger framing method shown in Figure 5, especially for deep overhangs. (Both figures are based on figures from the Gable End Overhangs section of the Hurricane Retrofit Guide by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, 2010.) The lookout/outrigger framing method provides two points that can be strengthened with metal connectors, one where the lookout/outrigger connects with the second rafter/truss and the other where the lookout/outrigger connects with the top of the gable end wall, as shown in Figure 5. The ladder framing method provides no such place to add strength.
     

    Wrong - Ladder framing method for a gable overhang offers low resistance to wind uplift.
    Figure 4. Ladder framing method for a gable overhang offers low resistance to wind uplift. (Source: PNNL.)

     

    Right - Lookout or outrigger framing for a gable overhang provides two points at each outrigger to add metal connectors to strengthen the overhang against wind uplift.
    Figure 5. Lookout or outrigger framing for a gable overhang provides two points at each outrigger to add metal connectors to strengthen the overhang against wind uplift. (Source: Florida Division of Emergency Management 2010.)

     

    There are a few ways you can strengthen a gable overhang that was originally framed using the ladder method such as by adding angle support framing underneath, as shown in Figure 6. This greatly strengthens the overhang-to-gable end wall connection. The second step is to strengthen the gable end against wind pressures that push and pull the wall out by bracing it to the second, third, and fourth rafter truss using metal connectors and dimensional lumber. There are two commonly accepted methods to do this, called the L-Bent Straps and the U-Bent Straps methods. Please refer to this Gable End Retrofit Guide by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (2011) for detailed instructions. Note the exterior angle overhang support framing needs to be constructed using lag bolts screw, not nails, because this support needs to resist large uplift forces.
     

    Right - Angle support framing is added to brace a long gable overhang constructed using the ladder framing method.
    Figure 6. Angle support framing is added to brace a long gable overhang constructed using the ladder framing method. (Source: Mahan 2014.)

     

    Retrofit Strengthening Stud to Top and Bottom Plate Connections in Gable End Walls

    Gable end walls are the triangular walls that enclose the home beneath the peak end of a gable roof; they rest on top of a rectangular wall. Gable end walls often enclose a vented attic; however, they can also enclose an unvented attic or the home could have a cathedral ceiling. In the latter case, the rectangular part of the wall seamlessly transitions to the triangular section. The gable end walls that enclose a finished attic or a cathedral ceiling are often built stronger than a gable wall that encloses a vented attic.

    Regardless of what the gable end wall encloses, the gable end wall should be carefully examined because that wall is often the tallest and largest vertical surface in a home. Homes that were built before 2002 and certainly homes built before 1997 should be examined to look for significant strength deficiencies. Due in part to poor construction and in part to their size, gable end wall failures are the most frequent wall failures in hurricanes. In a hurricane, some roof-to-wall connectors could experience an uplift force of up to 1,200 pounds. The stud-to-top and bottom plate connections need to be able to transfer this force to the ground without pulling apart. This is why it is important to ensure that all of the load paths that connect to the roof are adequately strong.

    Similar to retrofit strengthening of the roof-to-wall connection, strengthening the stud-to-top and bottom plate connections can be challenging and messy to do. Unlike the roof-to-wall connection, there are not multiple ways to access this connection. The metal connectors used to provide uplift strength at these connections in new construction are shown in Figures 7 and 8. As you can see from the locations of these metal connectors, they are not accessible without removing the siding and weather-resistive barrier of the home. Fortunately, metal connectors provide the same strength regardless of whether you place them on the inside or outside face of a wall as long as you are consistent. Adding these connectors by removing some drywall wall that can subsequently be patched is often a much simpler approach than removing the siding.

    Right - Metal connectors provide uplift resistance at the stud-to-bottom plate connection in new construction for a continuous load path.
    Figure 7. Metal connectors provide uplift resistance at the stud-to-bottom plate connection in new construction for a continuous load path. (Source: IBHS 2015.)

     

    Right - Metal connectors provide uplift resistance at the rim joist between floors in new construction for a continuous load path.
    Figure 8. Metal connectors provide uplift resistance at the rim joist between floors in new construction for a continuous load path. (Source: BHS 2015.)

     

    Similar to the roof-to-wall connection, it may be time and cost prohibitive to retrofit an existing home with enough metal connectors to make the stud-to-top and bottom plate connections meet the structural requirements of a new home; however, strengthening a home should not be viewed as an all or nothing task. Thus, one has the opportunity to prioritize which walls to strengthen first. Due to their large size, gable end walls experience the greatest wind pressures and simultaneously need to manage the uplift forces transferred to them from the roof. For homes with gable end walls, these walls should take priority when retrofitting for wind uplift resistance. 

    Like the roof-to-wall connection, while the standard method is to use metal connectors, in a retrofit situation, time and cost constrains may dictate the use of alternative hardware and approaches that would result in getting more than halfway to the uplift strength of a new home. If the interior method was selected to perform the roof-to-wall connection strengthening, the stud-to-top plate connection should be done in concert as shown in Figure 2.

    As an alternative to metal connectors, the connection of studs to their top and bottom plates can be strengthened with engineered structural screws specifically designed for this purpose. These engineered structural screws can offer resistance to uplift and lateral loads close to the strength of a metal connector while being easier to install in retrofit applications, as shown in Figure 9. If interior wall finishes such as drywall are present, a minimum amount will need to be removed to expose and access the wood connections for installation of the screws.
     

    Right - Engineered structural screws are installed to secure a stud to a top and bottom plate for increased hurricane or seismic resistance.
    Figure 9. Engineered structural screws are installed to secure a stud to a top and bottom plate for increased hurricane or seismic resistance. (Source:  FastenMaster.)

     

    The connection between the second floor and first floor can be strengthened by connecting the bottom plate and the first-floor top plate using a threaded rod and metal hold downs, as shown in Figure 10. A bit more drywall will need to be removed to gain enough working room to drill and install the threaded rod and metal hold downs. Strengthening the connection between the first and second floor is beneficial for homes in both high wind regions and seismic regions. Please consult an engineer to help determine the best hold downs to use and the best location to place the hold downs.

    Right - A floor-to-floor hold down can be installed as a retrofit without removing the siding.
    Figure 10. An example of a floor-to-floor hold down that can be installed as a retrofit without removing the siding. (Source: Simpson Strong-Tie, 2020.)

     

    Retrofitting Skylights and Windows to be Impact-Rated

    Hurricane force winds can easily lift large heavy objects and turn them into high-velocity projectiles that can strike windows and skylights. A breach in the building envelope can not only cause severe water damage, it can significantly increase the wind loads on a structure. A breach in the building envelope on the windward side of the building will result in a significant positive internal pressure increase, which contributes to the uplift force on the roof. Homes are normally not designed to withstand these pressurization loads from within; they can cause a roof to blow off. This progressive failure can be prevented by protecting the glazing in the building envelope from being breached. While replacing windows with ones that have impact-rated glazing is an option, it is a rather expensive option. A more economical option may be to purchase or construct window coverings.  One way to make the windows easy to board up is to precut and label plywood pieces sized for each window and to install threaded rod fittings into the window frame. When the windows need to be boarded up, threaded rods can be fitted into the fittings and the plywood boards secured using female threaded knobs as shown in Figure 11 and the video Hurricane Retrofit a Home (Holigan 2014).

    Right - Plywood storm protection covering for windows is installed with removable threaded-rod fittings.
    Figure 11. Plywood storm protection covering for windows is installed with removable threaded-rod fittings. (Source:  Holigan, 2014.)

     

    Success
    Ensuring Success

    Retrofitting a home to increase structural strength and resistance to the forces of hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes requires creative solutions and building science knowledge. Most structural upgrades require that a structural permit be obtained from the local building codes jurisdiction. Getting the structural upgrades approved prior to the work being performed and then inspected allows a third-party to help ensure success.

    If a two-part spray-applied polyurethane foam adhesive is applied to the underside of the roof sheathing to strengthen its connection to the roof rafters or trusses, request the installer or manufacturer to provide evidence that the product has been approved for use to adhere roof decking to roof rafters. Alternatively check the product to see if it has been approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, which maintains a searchable database of approved products for a specific application. As of this writing, there are at least six products approved for this application.

    If the roof decking to roof rafter or truss connection is strengthened during re-roofing, write the address and date on the decking and take pictures of the decking to have a record of the nail pattern. These pictures can be used for permit inspection approvals, to help get a Roof certification, and to add value to the home when it is sold. Even in jurisdictions where it is not required, re-roofing is an excellent opportunity to remove the sheathing along the roof eaves to inspect the hold-down connections between the roof rafter and truss walls. If found to be insufficient, this is the most economical time to add metal connectors.

    If your home was built before 1997, it is recommended that the gable overhangs be inspected to see how they were framed. If they were framed using the ladder method and the house is in a location that experiences high winds, it is strongly recommended that the overhangs be strengthened. Consult your local building codes jurisdiction to see if a permit is required for this work. If a contractor is hired to perform the work, refer the contractor to the Gable End Retrofit Guide by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (2011) for detailed instructions on the L-Bent Straps and the U-Bent Straps method of strengthening the gable overhang. If an exterior angle overhang support is added be sure to use structural lag bolts or screws, not nails, for the task.

    If the stud to top and bottom plate connections are strengthened, consult an engineer to help you determine (1) where this upgrade would produce the most performance for cost in the home, and (2) which metal connectors or structural screws to use. Obtain the necessary permits to do the work. Document the work with photos and keep notes on where in the home the work was performed. This documentation will be valuable if one is seeking a Fortified Home certification and will certainly add value to the home when it is sold.

    If windows and skylights are replaced, replace them with units that have impact-rated glass if the house is in a location where they are required. However, even if a building is outside the required zone, it may be a good idea to have impact-resistant glass windows if the home is located in a region that experiences high winds or hurricanes. If the windows and skylights are not in need of replacement, consider purchasing or constructing window covers that can be easily installed before the next hurricane.

    Climate
    Climate

    Climate significantly impacts the design requirements and the shear and uplift forces that the various connections in a home must resist. The first step is to know what the ultimate wind speed and seismic design category are for the location of the home. Your local building code jurisdiction will have zoomed-in versions of the national wind maps presented in IRC Figure R301.2(4)A and R301.2(4)B and the national seismic map in IRC Figure 301.2(2). Alternatively you can find the ultimate wind speed for your address by entering it in the online ASCE 7 Hazard Tool. Be sure to select the correct ASCE 7 version that matches the ASCE 7 version used in the IRC adopted by your local building codes jurisdiction. The seismic design category of your building address can also be found using the Seismic Design Map Tool by the Structural Engineers Association of California (note, this tool works nationally not just in California). The 2018 and newer IRC uses ASCE 7-16 whereas the 2015 version of the IRC uses ASCE 7-10.

    Training
    Right and Wrong Images
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    Wrong - The studs added for support were cut at an angle providing weak support where the stud meets the compression block.
    Wrong - The studs added for support were cut at an angle providing weak support where the stud meets the compression block.
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    Right – An existing gable wall is reinforced with horizontal braces that butt up to the gable end wall and connect back to multiple trusses; retrofit studs make full contact with the wall and the compression blocks and are connected to the horizontal brac
    Right – An existing gable wall is reinforced with horizontal braces that butt up to the gable end wall and connect back to multiple trusses; retrofit studs make full contact with the wall and the compression blocks and are connected to the horizontal brac
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    Right - Installation steps for the L-bent strap method of bracing a gable end wall
    Right - Installation steps for the L-bent strap method of bracing a gable end wall
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    Right – Proper bracing hardware for retrofitting gable ends
    Right – Proper bracing hardware for retrofitting gable ends
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    Right - Lookout or outrigger framing for a gable overhang provides two points at each outrigger to add metal connectors to strengthen the overhang against wind uplift.
    Right - Lookout or outrigger framing for a gable overhang provides two points at each outrigger to add metal connectors to strengthen the overhang against wind uplift.
    Image
    Right – Hurricane strapping attaches every roof truss to a wall stud.
    Right – Hurricane strapping attaches every roof truss to a wall stud.
    Image
    Awnings and overhangs should have strong and continuous connections to resist wind forces that might pull them off the structure.
    Awnings and overhangs should have strong and continuous connections to resist wind forces that might pull them off the structure.
    Videos
    Publication Date
    Description
    Video explaining why having a strong roof is so important in hurricane zones and recommendations on how to construct a roof that will stand up to hurricane force winds from LSU AgCenter.
    Publication Date
    Author(s)
    Guertin Mike
    Organization(s)
    Fine Homebuilding Magazine
    Description
    Video presentation explaining proper roof membrane and shingle installation, including key weak points where moisture can get in during a disaster weather event.
    Compliance

    Compliance

    The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

     

    20152018, and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)

    Retrofit projects are arguably more challenging than new construction because often the situations require a creative solution. However creative the solutions, they must still perform to a certain standard. The general rule is that the components that are touched in a remodel must be made up to current code while the components not touched are allowed to remain as they are. This rule can discourage and make cost prohibitive interests to strength and improve a structure. As a result, many jurisdictions have placed cost caps on rules regarding mandated retrofits during an upgrade.

    Situations with Prescriptive Compliance Guidance

    In some scenarios, states and municipalities have created prescriptive retrofit solutions that, if followed, are regarded as acceptable and sufficient strengthening upgrades. These approved retrofit solutions have been tested to provide increases in load strength so that that part of the structure is much more likely to withstand the extreme weather events likely to occur at that location. An example of this scenario can be found in the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Gable End Retrofit Guide, which provides detailed guidance on the use of the L-Bent Straps and the U-Bent Straps method for bracing a gable end wall.

    Situations without Prescriptive Compliance Guidance

    For structural strengthening upgrades that don’t have cost caps or specific prescriptions, the recommended procedure is to present what you hope to accomplish, the project budget, and the products you are interested in using to your local building codes official to see what they think. They may approve your structural strengthening upgrade ideas or approve them once an engineer has approved them, or require the scope be reduced so that the work that is done can be completed such that it will meet the requirements of the present building codes.

    Roof and Wall Strength Requirements to Resist Wind Forces

    The IRC provides guidance on how strong a roof and wall needs to be to resist the positive and negative pressures induced by strong winds in Table 301.2(2) Component and Cladding Loads for a Building with a Mean Roof Height of 30 Feet Located in Exposure B(ASD). This table is used in concert with Figure 301.2(7) Component and Cladding Pressure Zones to specify the minimum positive and negative pressures these different zones in a building need to be able to resist. For the roof decking, this resistance is provided by nails and the two-part spray-applied polyurethane foam adhesive, if applied. For the wall, this resistance is provided through the combination of the studs, shear/brace wall technique employed, the wall sheathing if there is one, and the building’s siding material.

    Roof to Wall Uplift Resistance Requirements

    Once you have the ultimate design wind speed, VULT, from looking it up on the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool, you can look up the rafter or truss uplift connection forces from wind in Table R802.11 in the IRC. The IRC specifies when metal connectors are required in Section R602.3.5; however, for homes in hurricane and high wind regions, there may be very few instances of a roof small enough with rafters/trusses close enough together to not need metal connectors.

    Seismic Resistance Requirements

    The measures taken to strengthen a home to resist the uplift and bending/shear stresses induced by wind will also strengthen a home’s resistance to earthquakes. However, the strengthening measures and prioritizations will change depending on the location risk levels to earthquakes versus high winds. A home that is located in a high earthquake risk zone but that has relatively low risk of experiencing high winds will need to prioritize strengthening the foundation to resist shear forces and then working up the building as the budget allows. This can mean adding anchors, bracing posts, and foundation walls.

    The IRC has a lot of guidance on building the different elements of a home so that they can resist seismic forces. This guidance is based on the seismic design category the home is located in. The categories are A, B, C, D0, D1, D2, and E, with E being the highest earthquake hazard risk. There are no special design requirements for seismic design categories A and B. The IRC has design guidance for categories C and D. Homes located in seismic design category E which cannot be recategorized into D2 via constraining provisions are also outside the design guidance scope of the IRC. Chapter 3 discusses seismic loads. Details on the foundation can be found in IRC Chapter 4, floors in Chapter 5, and walls in Chapter 6. There are no seismic design prescriptions for the roof assembly because at the roof level, the controlling factor is wind forces.

    The 2015 and 2018 editions of the IRC contain the latest seismic design provisions and reference standards to provide life safety protection for many detached one- and two-family homes and certain townhouses from major earthquakes. In the 2015 and 2018 editions of the IBC, seismic design provisions provide safeguards for larger or more complicated homes, as well as other engineered residential and non-residential buildings.

    The I-Codes incorporate technical standards, including publications such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Standard 7, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE/SEI 7), which provides earthquake engineering design requirements and other hazard-resistant and loading provisions for buildings and other structures. This standard is in part based on the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures, developed by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP),  a collaborative effort among four federal agencies: the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),  the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Science Foundation (NSF); and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

    Please reference your State or local adopted version of the International Residential Code for details on the current structural requirements. Local building code divisions are allowed to add requirements that make the building code stricter than the IRC. 

    Retrofit: 2009201220152018, and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)

    Section N1101.3 (Section N1107.1.1 in 2015 and 2018, N1109.1 in 2021 IRC). Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with this code. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)

    Appendix J regulates the repair, renovation, alteration, and reconstruction of legally existing buildings and is intended to encourage their continued safe use. Note that provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.

     

    Florida Building Code

    Florida is notable for having the most stringent building codes in the U.S. with regards to building in high wind speed locations. The IRC map contours Florida into a series of wind zones. The strength requirements for a building depend on the wind zone it is located in. The strictest wind zone, located in South Florida, requires buildings to be built to withstand 180 MPH winds.

    Although wind zone standards were implemented in 1995, as many as 75% of the homes in Florida were built before such standards, leaving them vulnerable unless retrofitted (Powell et al. 2019). The Florida Building Code has special provisions for homes built in the wind-borne debris zone and the high-velocity hurricane zone.

    Florida legislation introduced in 2006 a requirement for the roof-wall connections to be inspected during re-roofing for single-family structures valued at $300,000 or more that are in the wind-borne debris region (roughly with 5 miles of the cost at wind speeds of 120 mph or higher). If found to be inadequate, they are required to be upgraded; however, the mandated roof-to-wall connection retrofits are capped at a cost of no more than 15% of the total cost of re-roofing. Therefore, if spending 15% of the cost of re-roofing to strengthen the roof-to-wall connections doesn’t result in those connections fully meeting modern code for the whole house, that is acceptable (FBC 2006).

    See the guide “Bracing of Roof for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance” for additional compliance information pertaining to roofs.

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    Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

    References and Resources*
    Author(s)
    Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
    Organization(s)
    IBHS
    Publication Date
    Description
    Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for New Homes.
    Author(s)
    Florida Division of Emergency Management
    Organization(s)
    Florida Division of Emergency Management
    Publication Date
    Description
    A hurricane retrofit guide describing techniques for strengthening roof-to-wall connections for family homes.
    Author(s)
    Mahan Mike
    Organization(s)
    Fine Homebuilding Magazine
    Publication Date
    Description
    A user forum discussing ways to reinforce a gable overhand that was framed using the ladder method by Mike Mahan.
    Author(s)
    Reynolds
    Organization(s)
    The Journal of Light Construction
    Publication Date
    Description
    A builder's guide describing hurricane-resistant reinforcements for gable ends.
    Author(s)
    Simpson Strong Tie
    Organization(s)
    Simpson Strong Tie
    Publication Date
    Description
    Report promoting public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of earthquake-induced damage to existing homes.
    Author(s)
    Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
    Organization(s)
    IBHS
    Publication Date
    Description
    Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for Existing Homes.
    Author(s)
    Reynolds
    Organization(s)
    The Journal of Light Construction
    Publication Date
    Description
    A builder's guide describing hurricane-resistant reinforcements for gable ends.
    *For non-dated media, such as websites, the date listed is the date accessed.
    Contributors to this Guide

    The following authors and organizations contributed to the content in this Guide.

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