In addition, the absence of H-Clips can cause the roof to sag between trusses. However, you want first to rule out other potential factors, like an extra thin sheathing or incorrect span between trusses. Improperly installed panels can also cause saggy roofs.

Installing H-Clips is easy. We strongly recommend professional installation for the best results. Nevertheless, you can do it yourself if you’ve some roofing experience. Begin by installing the plywood sheathing. The best approach is to lay a full row of sheets horizontally across the roof, following local code and roofing best practices. We recommend starting at the left corner and working your way to the right. Let’s take the example of Florida. The Residential Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC) refers to Table R503.2.1 of the APA for guidelines, which refers to H-Clips as “edge support.” The APA Engineered Wood Asociation says the following about edge support; Also see our blog posts Are H-clips required by the building code for roof sheathing? and What causes a lump or dip in the roof? Better known as H-Clips, panel edge clips are commonly used between adjacent wood sheathing pieces between supporting trusses or rafters to provide additional stiffness at the panel edges.If you have ever wondered what H-Clips are for when resheathing your roof, this blog post is for you. We are going to be discussing what exactly H-Clips are and why you need them for your home. Let’s get started! What Are H-Clips? They also reduce construction costs by reducing the required materials, particularly vertical framing members. What are H-Clips?

The main purpose of H Clips is to increase panel stiffness, enabling better load distribution between adjacent panels. As a result, the stiffer panel edges are unlikely to experience structural defects when subjected to heavy loads near the edges. Sandbaggy Plywood Clips (also known as H Clips) are perfect for supporting your plywood or OSB roofs and walls. These clips are made heavy duty, undergoing a hot dipped galvanizing process which protects the steel from corroding giving your wood panels long lasting support. Specs Also, see our blog posts What causes a sagging roof ridge line? and What causes a lump or dip in the roof? and What's the average lifespan of a roof? Also Works For OSB: The H clips also work great for oriented strand board (OSB). OSB is an engineered wood panel that is used interchangeably with plywood.Also known as panel edge clips or plywood H clips, H Clips are metal clips that hold adjacent wood panels together while providing an expansion gap. Meanwhile, you can have unsupported edges up to 32 inches long if using 5/8-inch panels with a 40/20 rating, beyond which you need edge support. How Many H-Clips Per Sheet of Plywood? If the root cause is missing H-Clips, install the clips and reinforce the saggy roof section. Also, replace the sheathing with stronger boards to eliminate the problem. H-Clips for Roof Sheathing Spacing Unsurprisingly, H-Clips are used in many other applications beyond roofing. For instance, you can use H-Clips on ramp-style flooring projects and slanted walls. Again, the clips provide additional stiffness, reducing the risk of flexing, especially at the edges. The supported slanted walls or ramp-style floors can remain for a long time without structural issues. For instance, suppose you install different steep ramps in your home or business premise – one with H-Clips and the other without. After about a decade, you’ll notice sagging along the edges of the ramp without H-Clips. Meanwhile, the one with H-Clips will be intact. As a result, you end up replacing the ramp without H-Clips earlier. How Much Do H Clips Cost?

They create a connecting point along with a vital 1/8-inch gap for expansion and contraction between adjacent panels on roofs at unsupported edges perpendicular to roof trusses or rafters. This can cause roof panels to become loose with time. Therefore, many roofers prefer to use clips to keep the sheathing layers in place. Plywood clips connect the panel edges of plywood, thus reinforcing the stability of the 2 pieces of plywood by ensuring they don't shift and become uneven over time. They are most commonly used in roofing but can be used for plywood walls as well. What are roof sheathing clips called? Meanwhile, hip roofs can benefit significantly from H-Clips as they typically comprise two sheathing layers. Unfortunately, the top sheathing layer is often shorter than the bottom layer, creating a “rake” at the roof edges. H-clips provide additional stiffness between bearing points for the unsupported edges of wood panel (plywood or OSB) roof sheathing, along with the necessary 1/8” gap for expansion, as shown below illustrated on a bag of Simpson H-clips. Some older H-clips do not provide a built-in gap.

Conclusion

However, many states have modified their building codes to overlook these regulations, even though others follow some requirements. Moreover, many homes were built before the requirements came into force. For instance, you may need fewer rafters depending on your span combinations, resulting in cost savings. A few reports also indicate that H-Clips reduce labor requirements. Typical labor savings are 1.5 man hours per 2200 square foot home. Long Lasting - Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel: These plywood h clips are built to last! The steel goes through a hot dipped galvanizing process which protects the steel from corrosion. Hot dip galvanizing lasts much longer than the standard electro galvanizing process. The International Residential Code (IRC) requires H-Clips, according to a “law” that came into force in 2006. Unfortunately, many roofers overlook them even where they can be crucial. Or worse, some use them wrongly.

For instance, many people use 3/8-inch plywood sheathing for standard roofing applications. Unfortunately, 3/8-inch plywood is not strong enough to bear substantial weight. So, the panels often bow when subjected to excessive weight, such as when a roofer walks along the edges.Sizes To Fit Your Panel Edges: We offer these in 7/16, 15/32, 1/2 inch sizes, ensuring these will be a snug fit for your roofing or walls. This may seem like a lot of money – and it is. However, it’s worth it, given that H-Clips significantly reduce the cost of installing a new roof. For instance, they reduce the number of materials needed, such as rafters.