Types of Roof Framing that can Protect Your Home in Natural Disasters

04/14/2023

Why does it matter?

Roof framing is the primary structural element of a roof.

Beneath the asphalt shingles or clay tiles or metal slats of your roof is an intricate structure, not unlike a skeleton. The framing of your roof is a crucial component to your home’s weather resistance, particularly in high-wind events.

As a homeowner, you need to make sure the structure and materials of your roof framing are both sound and secure.

What do I need to know?

Typically, residential roof framing is with wood rafters or wood trusses. However, there are also all-concrete roof systems available including precast planks, insulating concrete deck forming systems, and conventional concrete forming for increased resiliency of roof structures.

Your roof’s performance during high-wind events requires that the roof-framing members be properly designed and spaced, that there is proper lateral bracing supporting roof framing, and that there are adequate connections between the roof structure and the wall.

The FLASH Resilient Design Guide: High Wind Wood Frame Construction Edition provides the following guidance on resilient roof framing:

• Resilient framing spacing = 16” O.C.
• Resilient eave blocking = 2x eave blocking
• Resilient framing connection = metal strap at every truss, metal strap tie at ridge

Where do I start?

• In new construction, ensure there is a roof-to-wall connector at every truss or rafter where it sets upon the top of the wall.
• In an existing home, if roof-to-wall connections are not present, you may consider installing these during re-roofing when this area is more accessible by removing the lowest roof of roof sheathing.
• You may be able to retrofit and strengthen your existing roof framing without reroofing if you can access your attic by installing roof-to-wall connectors.

More Resources:

• FLASH. Resilient Design Guide: High Wind Wood Frame Construction Edition.
• Local Officials Guide For Coastal Construction.