Brian's House Building Blog

Why Does Your Roof Truss Need Cyclone Protection?

by Peyton Sanders

The truss you install on your new home sits between the main body of the structure and its roof. It provides a platform for the material you use to create your external roof.

While roof trusses are strong and sturdy, they have some vulnerabilities, especially if you live in a cyclonic zone. So, your builder may have mentioned that they want to take some steps to reinforce the truss over and above regular fixings.

Why is this necessary and what do you need to do?

How High Winds Affect Roof Trusses

Roof trusses sit on top of your home; they typically create an air gap that becomes your roof space. If a high wind, such as a cyclone, hits your home, then the truss is at risk. If it doesn't have a secure attachment to the main structure of the building, then the wind could simply tear the truss off.

This is usually down to a wind's uplift capacity. If a cyclone hits a building, then its force sucks things upwards. This can remove roof tiles and even trusses. If your truss isn't reinforced, the uplift pressure can simply pull it off its fixings.

As well as damaging the truss, this opens up the inside of your property to the wind. You could be dealing with a lot more damage than you need to. This is why your builder wants to add reinforcements to the truss.

How to Make Roof Trusses More Wind Resistant

Standard truss fixings attach the truss to the main parts of your home's structure. However, these fixings aren't always strong enough to withstand the effects of a high wind. Winds can pull out nails and screws fairly easily if they have enough force.

Cyclone fixings attach the truss more firmly to the main body of the structure. For example, cyclonic grips are metal plates that attach the truss to the actual frame of the building. These plates give a much stronger connection that holds the truss more firmly in place.

Other options, such as cyclone straps, do much the same job. These products are metal straps that attach parts of the truss to supporting timbers or beams. Again, this gives the truss a stronger connection to the rest of the house, reducing the risk that it can be pulled out of place.

To learn more about cyclone-proofing roof trusses, and your home in general, talk to an experienced builder, such as one at Prefab Technology Pty Ltd.

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