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HOW & WHY TO RETROFIT YOUR METAL ROOF FOR HURRICANE WIND RESISTANCE

While metal roofs are strong, not all stand up to the battering of hurricane-force winds. 

A good number of metal roofs need retrofits to fortify the strength of the structure.

There are all building codes to consider when building a metal roof, one of which is strong windstorm resistance. Wind uplift and negative pressure is a real problem for any type of pitched roof, no matter what it’s made of. Therefore building codes need to be more stringent as we experience the realities of weather.

Your metal roof may not necessarily have a sufficient wind uplift rating for your particular geographical region especially at coastal regions. It is advisable that your roof be anchored down right or the entire thing; including rafters, decking, and ductwork, can be ripped right off the building.

A retrofit for your existing metal roof will fortify the strength of the structure to resist high winds.

Anchoring Your Metal Roof

Not all metal roofs are built the same way. One of the most important aspects of the construction is how it is anchored to the building.

When installing the various anchoring systems for wind mitigation retrofits, it’s important not to violate the integrity of the roof or the warranties associated with it.

There are many things that will need to be anchored, such as trusses and wind-performance systems.  The anchoring fortifies the strength of the entire metal roof structure.

Install Hurricane Straps

The trusses of your metal roof are likely not anchored with hurricane tie straps.

There are two basic types of hurricane straps (or clips). One type wraps around the roof trusses and is anchored to the wall. The other is just anchored to the wall and trusses.

The first type of strap is going to hold the trusses more securely. The retrofit helps your metal roof to resist the upward force of hurricane winds.

Install Gable End Bracing

The gable ends of the metal roof are vulnerable to high winds. This is why so many roofs come off during hurricanes.

Gable end bracing is one retrofit that needs to be done. It is installed to anchor the gable construction with the timber or metal roofing products.

A roofing specialist will need to determine which retrofit would be necessary because it varies between roof types and the roof load involved.

Install Roof-to-Wall Connections

Roof to wall connections anchor the metal roof structure to the walls. There are several different retrofits that can be used.

Toe nailing is the weakest type and anchor bolts are one of the strongest. Again, the method used will depend on the type of walls of the building and the type of roof deck involved.

The COVID-19 Pandemic - A national disaster?

 

Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Monday 13 April 2020 signed a presidential decree declaring COVID-19 a national disaster - only the third time the country has done so. It signalled that the country had to take serious measures to treat with the crisis.

Their national response framework is similar to Trinidad and Tobago. Despite our experiences thus far, the Pandemic has not been considered to be an emergency in Trinidad and Tobago. Should it be? What should be the threshold? Leave your comments below: