Overview

Florida's hurricane risk makes wind mitigation one of the most important aspects of a residential roofing system. Hurricane clips, gusset angles, and rafter straps connect the roof structure to the exterior walls — and they are what keeps a roof on a home in high-wind conditions. At Trust Roofing, installing hurricane connectors correctly is part of our commitment to building roofs that protect Tampa Bay homes.

Our Field Standards

Hurricane connector installation follows Florida building code and Trust Roofing field standards.

Field standards include:
* Connectors are installed at every rafter-to-top-plate connection when required by the project scope
* The correct connector type is used for the rafter size and spacing on the project
* Fastening follows the manufacturer’s specification for nail count and size
* All installed connectors are photographed before any covering material is applied
* Existing connectors that are damaged or missing are documented and reported

Our Process

Types of Connectors

Hurricane Clips
Installed where rafter meets the top plate of the exterior wall — resist wind uplift forces.

Gusset Angles
Flat steel plates installed at the rafter and wall plate junction — provide shear resistance.

Rafter Straps
Run over the top of the rafter and down each side of the wall plate — resist both uplift and lateral movement.

Installation Process

1. Position the connector at the rafter-to-plate connection per manufacturer diagram
2. Drive all required nails through the connector flange into both the rafter and plate
3. Confirm the connector is flush and seated correctly
4. Work in order down the roof to avoid skipping connections

Common Errors

* Too few nails in the connector flanges
* Wrong connector type for the rafter size
* Skipping connections — creates weak points
* Bending or notching connectors to fit — use the correct size

Roofing Terms

Hurricane Clip

A metal connector fastener installed at the rafter-to-top-plate connection point to resist wind uplift forces, required for Florida wind mitigation compliance and one of the primary components documented in a wind mitigation inspection.

Wind Mitigation Report

A formal inspection report completed by a licensed Florida inspector documenting the wind-resistant features of a roofing system, including connector type, roof covering, and deck attachment, used to qualify for insurance discounts.

Florida Building Code Wind Requirements

FBC requirements for roof-to-wall connection hardware based on the wind speed design zone, most of Tampa Bay falls within a zone requiring rated hurricane connectors at every rafter connection.

Rafter Strap

A metal strap installed over the rafter and down each side of the wall plate to resist both uplift and lateral wind forces, used in addition to or instead of hurricane clips depending on the connection geometry.

Wind Uplift

The upward force exerted by wind on a roof surface during a storm, the primary structural failure mechanism in Florida hurricanes, resisted by correct deck fastening, roofing installation, and structural connectors.

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