Roof-to-wall attachment
The load path connection
Roof-to-wall attachment transfers uplift from the roof framing to the wall. The form ranks metal connectors from strongest to weakest: double wrap, single wrap, clip, toe nail. A strap must be embedded in the bond beam or otherwise tied to the wall and nailed to the truss. Double wraps are nailed on both sides; single wraps on one side. Clips do not wrap over the truss. Toe nails are just nails driven at an angle.
Verifying in the attic
Inspect several trusses, not just the first one. Photograph the connector with a tape or label for scale. Confirm nails, embedding, and whether the strap wraps one or both sides.
Worked example
A strap crosses the top of a truss and is nailed on the left side only. That is a single wrap, not a double wrap. If it were nailed on both sides, it would be a double wrap. A metal angle nailed to the top plate but not over the truss is a clip.
Traps
- Calling every metal connector a “strap.”
- Missing that a strap is not embedded in the bond beam.
- Inspecting one truss and generalizing to the roof.
- Confusing a clip with a single wrap.