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SELLING ENGINEERED LUMBER: Simple Strategies to Help Homes Withstand High Winds

APA publication “Building for High Wind Resistance in Light-Frame Wood Construction” outlines the following design and construction recommendations:

1. Nail roof sheathing with 8d ring shank (or deformed shank) (0.131″ x 2 ½”) nails at a measurement of 4 inches on center along the ends of the sheathing and 6 inches on center along the intermediate framing.

2. Tie the gable end walls back to the structure.

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3. Sheath gable-end walls with wood structural panels, such as plywood or OSB.

4. For the roof framing-to-wall connection, use a hurricane/seismic framing anchor or equivalent connector, attached on the outside of the exterior walls.

5. Nail upper-story sheathing and lower-story sheathing into common wood structural panel rim board or into blocking at horizontal joints.

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6. Nail wall sheathing with 8d common (0.131″ x 2 ½”) nails at 4 inches on center at ends and edges of the wood structural panels and 6 inches on center in the intermediate framing.

7. Continuously sheath all walls with wood structural panels, including portions around all of the windows and doors.

8. Extend wood structural panel sheathing to lap the sill-plate.

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9. Anchor sill plate to foundation using ½-inch anchor bolts 32 inches to 48 inches on center using 0.229″ x 3″ x 3″ square plate washers.

Along with a solid structural frame, it’s essential that window and door openings be protected from flying debris during high-wind events to preserve the integrity of the structure. When storms are imminent, reinforce or protect large openings and weak areas. APA offers a series of five designs for Hurricane Shutters fabricated with wood structural panels, outlined in Hurricane Shutter Designs, Form T450. Designs are provided for a variety of masonry and wood-frame buildings and include illustrations, materials lists, and step-by-step instructions. Details are also available in Spanish.

These recommendations are intended for new construction only, although the principles may be appropriate for retrofit applications. They may not be appropriate for hurricane-prone regions; in those regions, local building code requirements must be followed. For full details on these techniques, visit www.apawood.org and download Building for High Wind Resistance in Light-Frame Wood Construction, Form M310.

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