Hurricane clips are metal connectors designed to secure your roof to the walls of your home, providing critical protection during high-wind events like hurricanes. While they may seem like a small component, hurricane clips play a big role in helping your roof stay in place when powerful winds threaten to rip it off.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- What hurricane clips are and how they work
- How they help protect your home during storms
- Whether it’s worth adding them to your current roofing system
Let’s take a closer look at these essential storm-protection devices.
✅ Understanding Hurricane Clips
Hurricane clips are small but strong metal fasteners that help tie your roof’s trusses or rafters to the top of your home’s wall structure. They are designed to resist the uplifting forces generated by strong winds.
How Hurricane Clips Work
When a hurricane strikes, the wind creates an upward lifting force on your roof, like a hand pulling the lid off a box. Hurricane clips counteract this force by holding the roof framing more securely to the wall structure.
- Installation location: Installed at the point where the roof framing (rafters or trusses) meets the wall plate.
- Material: Typically made from galvanized steel for strength and corrosion resistance.
- Connection type: Nailed or screwed into both the roof framing and the wall plate.
Different Types of Clips
There are various types of connectors used in residential construction, including:
- Hurricane clips: Standard metal connectors for roof-to-wall connection.
- Hurricane ties: Similar to clips but may wrap over or around the framing for added strength.
- Straps: Long metal straps that tie down roof framing to studs or sheathing below.
❗️ Why Hurricane Clips Are Important
Whether you live in a hurricane-prone area or just want added peace of mind, hurricane clips offer key advantages when it comes to storm safety and roof longevity.
Storm Protection
- Wind uplift resistance: Clips prevent your roof from lifting off during hurricanes or intense windstorms.
- Structural reinforcement: Ties your roofing system into the entire home’s frame, making the structure stronger overall.
- Improved roof lifespan: Roofs that stay secured during storms are less likely to need costly repairs or replacements.
Insurance and Building Code Benefits
- Code compliance: In many coastal states, hurricane clips are required by building codes for new construction or roof replacement.
- Insurance discounts: Many insurers offer lower premiums if your roof includes clips or ties for wind mitigation.
- Home inspections: Homes with hurricane clips often score better during pre-sale or insurance inspections.
🛠️ When and How Hurricane Clips Are Installed
The best time to install hurricane clips is during roof construction or replacement, but they can sometimes be retrofitted into existing homes.
During New Construction or Re-Roofing
- Easiest installation: When roof decking is removed, contractors can easily access trusses or rafters to install clips properly.
- Minimal disruption: Since your roof is already being replaced, this is the most cost-effective time to add clips.
- Better performance: Integrated clips installed during construction create the strongest wind-resistant system.
Retrofitting Hurricane Clips
- Accessibility matters: Retrofitting clips requires attic access and can be labor-intensive depending on your roof’s structure.
- Partial upgrades: In some homes, clips may only be added to accessible areas or along gables where uplift forces are strongest.
- Permit and inspection: Depending on your location, retrofitting may require permits or inspection to qualify for insurance credits.
💵 Cost of Installing Hurricane Clips
The price of hurricane clip installation depends on whether it’s a new install or retrofit, as well as the size and design of your roof.
Average Costs
- New construction: Clips may cost between $1 and $2 per connector, with total labor costs adding up to $400–$1,000 for a typical home.
- Retrofit: Costs can range from $800 to $2,500 or more, depending on attic access, roofing type, and labor hours required.
- Cost savings: Homeowners in high-risk zones may recoup some of this cost through lower insurance premiums or fewer future repairs.
Cost Factors
- Roof complexity: Multi-level or steep roofs may increase labor time and expense.
- Accessibility: Difficult attic access or insulation obstructions raise costs for retrofits.
- Permit requirements: Some cities and counties charge fees for wind mitigation upgrades.
⭐️ 5 Key Benefits of Hurricane Clips for Your Roof
Here’s why hurricane clips are one of the smartest upgrades you can make to your roofing system:
- Stronger roof-to-wall connection: Clips help prevent the roof from detaching during strong wind events.
- Insurance savings: Homes with wind mitigation features often receive discounted homeowners insurance premiums.
- Long-term value: Adding hurricane clips can increase your home’s structural integrity and resale appeal.
- Code compliance: Clips meet building code requirements in many hurricane-prone areas, helping you avoid costly violations.
- Peace of mind: Knowing your roof is securely anchored makes riding out a storm a lot less stressful.
📋 How To Know If Your Home Already Has Hurricane Clips
If you’re unsure whether your home has hurricane clips installed, here are a few ways to find out:
Look in Your Attic
Grab a flashlight and check the area where your roof’s rafters or trusses meet the wall plate.
- Visible metal connectors: Look for steel brackets or ties nailed to both the wall and roof framing.
- Missing clips: If you only see nails or wood-to-wood connections, clips may not be installed.
Hire a Roof Inspector
A professional roofing contractor or home inspector can provide a detailed assessment.
- Wind mitigation inspection: Common in coastal states, this specific inspection evaluates your home’s wind resistance.
- Documentation for insurance: If clips are present, your inspector can help you file for premium discounts.
🤔 Are Hurricane Clips Worth It?
For homeowners in storm-prone regions or those seeking added roof resilience, the answer is often yes.
- High-risk areas: In coastal states like Florida, Louisiana, and the Carolinas, clips are a smart investment.
- Older homes: If your home was built before stricter wind codes were in place, adding clips can significantly improve safety.
- Peace of mind vs. cost: While not free, the added protection and insurance savings can justify the investment over time.
💪 Secure Your Roof With Hurricane Clips
Hurricane clips may be small, but their impact on your home’s safety is huge. By reinforcing the connection between your roof and walls, they help your home withstand high winds, reduce storm damage, and even lower your insurance premiums.
If you’re re-roofing your home or want to boost your current roof’s storm resistance, contact Young Construction today for a free estimate. Our experienced team will assess your home and recommend the best solution for lasting protection.
