Hurricane Clips | Rafter & Hurricane Ties

Framing Connectors for Lumber including Rafters, Trusses, and Joists

Hurricane Ties, also known as rafter ties, truss ties, or hurricane clips, are used for deck or roof framing to secure rafters, trusses, or joists to the wood framework. This is done to resist uplift and lateral forces, like those that come from a hurricane or severe storm.

These Simpson Strong-Tie equivalent Hurricane ties come in various shapes and sizes but are functionally nearly identical. They all secure rafters, trusses, or joists to the top plates of the wood framework. The differences lie in how they attach:

H2 Style Hurricane Straps
	H2 Hurricane Ties are installed on three different wood pieces: a vertical post, the perpendicular top plate or wall plate, and a rafter. These ties get installed across all three, securing them all together. H2 Hurricane brackets combine the functionality of H2.5 or H3 straps with H6 hurricane ties. Please refer to each hurricane tie's product page for more details so you can determine which will fit your application better. Hurricane Tie: H2 Manufacturer Part Number: RT10-SS Simpson Part Number: H2ASS Uplift Load (Lbs.): 495 Lateral Load (Lbs.): 160 Steel Gauge: 18 Material: 316 Stainless Steel Note: All allowable loads listed are for S-P-F (Spruce-Pine-Fir).
H2.5 Style & H3 Hurricane Straps
	H2.5 Hurricane Ties and H3 Hurricane Ties are functionally similar. Both are single-sided and installed across two different wood pieces: the top plate or wall plate and a rafter. They often form part of a continuous load path for both lateral and uplift loads. H2.5 and H3 straps vary in physical dimensions and load capacity. Please refer to each hurricane tie's product page for more details so you can determine which will fit your application better. Hurricane Tie: H2.5 H3 Manufacturer Part Number: RT7A-SS RT3A-SS Simpson Part Number: H2.5ASS H3SS Uplift Load (Lbs.): 565 565 Lateral Load (Lbs.): 175 160 Steel Gauge: 18 Material: 316 Stainless Steel Note: All allowable loads listed are for S-P-F (Spruce-Pine-Fir).
H4 Style & H5 Hurricane Straps
	H4 Hurricane Ties and H5 Hurricane Ties are functionally similar. Both have matching pairs (a right and left version) and are installed across two different wood pieces: the top plate or wall plate and a rafter. The pairs work together, installed diagonally, to secure rafters, trusses, or joists to the wood framework. H4 and H5 straps vary in physical dimensions and load capacity. Please refer to each hurricane tie's product page for more details so you can determine which will fit your application better. Hurricane Tie: H4 H5 Manufacturer Part Number: RT4-SS RT5-SS Simpson Part Number: H4SS H5SS Uplift Load (Lbs.): 345 450 Lateral F1/F2 Load (Lbs.): 180 225 Steel Gauge: 18 Material: 316 Stainless Steel Note: All allowable loads listed are for S-P-F (Spruce-Pine-Fir).
H6 Hurricane Straps
	H6 Hurricane Ties are installed across two different wood pieces: the top plate or wall plate and a stud. Note that, unlike the other hurricane ties listed above, these are not intended to be connected to the rafters. These ties are used for deck or roof framing, often with other hurricane brackets to secure wood framework. Hurricane Tie: H6 Manufacturer Part Number: RT8A-SS Simpson Part Number: H8SS Uplift Load (Lbs.): 650 Lateral Load (Lbs.): 180 Steel Gauge: 18 Material: 316 Stainless Steel Note: All allowable loads listed are for S-P-F (Spruce-Pine-Fir).

Installing hurricane ties requires a clear understanding of which bracket to use and where. If you are unsure, please consult with a reputable civil engineer. Note that Hurricane ties do not replace solid blocking and can be installed with flanges facing inward or outward.

Hurricane Ties are shown in the above diagrams as installed on the outside wall for clarity. Installation inside the wall is acceptable. For Continuous Load Path, connections must be on the same side of the wall.

---

Caution: Do not install Hurricane ties into both sides of a given truss, rafter, or joist. Doing so may cause damages to the wood and risk collision of the nails. Instead, install them diagonally across from each other, as shown in this diagram:

---

FAQs

What are hurricane ties?

Hurricane ties are designed to make wooden structures resistant to high winds, such as those caused by hurricanes. Specifically, hurricane ties make the structure more resistant to uplift, racking, overturning, and sliding.

What is a hurricane clip?

Hurricane Ties, also known as rafter ties, truss ties, or hurricane clips, are used for deck or roof framing to secure rafters, trusses, or joists to the wood framework. This is done to resist uplift and lateral forces, like those that come from a hurricane or severe storm. Hurricane clip is another name for a Hurricane tie or Hurricane strap.

Are hurricane clips required?

Hurricane clips or ties are required in areas subject to high wind storms or earthquakes. The hurricane clips reinforce the wood frames of buildings and help reduce the possibility of collapse under these conditions. Their use in resisting earthquake forces also gives them the additional name "seismic ties." If you're unsure if hurricane ties are required, you can consult your local building department for the building codes.

Where do hurricane clips go?

Hurricane clips are installed where the diagonal beams meet the horizontal beams in your roof. Hurricane clips further secure these pieces of lumber together to create additional resistance to hurricanes and high-wind storms. There should be two clips for each spot where these two lumber pieces in the roof meet: one for the front and one for the back. Refer to the above diagrams to gain a better understanding of where these ties go.