H Clips Required Roof Sheathing
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.
H clips required roof sheathing. The international codes i codes are the widely accepted comprehensive set of model codes used in the us and abroad to help ensure the engineering of safe sustainable affordable and resilient structures. Fasteners for asphalt shingles shall be galvanized steel stainless steel aluminum or copper roofing nails minimum 12 gage 0 105 inch 3 mm shank with a minimum 3 8 inch diameter 9 5 mm head complying with astm f1667 of a length to penetrate through the roofing materials and not less than 3 4 inch 19 1 mm into the roof sheathing. H clips also called panel edge clips are small steel devices that fit snugly between wood panels in order to provide them with edge support. Some older h clips do not provide a built in gap.
The international code council icc is a non profit organization dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design build and compliance process. For 7 16 inch zip system panels huber engineered woods requires panel edge support blocking or approved edge clips if the on center spacing of the framing members exceeds 16 inches. Avoid roof complaints with proper framing sheathing and roofing techniques. Roof sheathing comes in grid marked 4 by 8 foot sheets and should be installed perpendicular to the frame.
H clips may also allow builders to use thinner sheathing than they otherwise would be permitted to use. Produced by apa the engineered wood association formerly the american plywood association in 1989. Not always required but a good idea. Never attach roof sheathing with staples.
If you re fastening 1 2 inch or 5 8 inch zip system roofing panels to rafters or trusses on the typical 16 inch or 24 inch spacing h clips aren t needed. Sheathing should be a minimum of 19 32 inch thick. Their size should match the thickness of the panels to which they are attached. A builder who uses h clips may need fewer rafters to complete a project because the distance between them can be increased.
In either case the cost of the job is reduced. Always ensure your work site is compliant with current osha regulations. This video may depict some work practices that do not meet current safety standards. The typical thickness range for sheathing is 3 8 to 3 4 inch.