Protect house from high winds

[paulmars]

1953 cmu house has a strengthened attic including rafter & coller ties & gable supports & 600 mph Simpson hurricane ties \ straps. HVHZ hidden fastener metal roof installed to, but better then the HVHZ code. Do I still need to strengen windows ? Im only interested in structural damage to house other then replacing a few broken windows.

Paul
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[Eng16080]

600 mph Simpson hurricane ties \ straps

Huh??

You should probably hire a local engineer!

 

[XR250]

I want to know more about 600 mph rated hurricane ties.

 

[jhnblgr]

You are focused on the wrong thing, if the windows can take the load but your header and studs around the opening might not.

 

[paulmars]

You are focused on the wrong thing, if the windows can take the load but your header and studs around the opening might not.

I know that. Enough force the whole h o u s e crumbles. I hav no rebar around openings or where walls join. Im not willing to spend that kinda money. Weakest points: roof, a t t i c, gables have been strengthened. For another grand I could do the vulnerable windows but I dont think i need too. However, I might be wrong.

 

[SWComposites]

nothing is likely to survive a 600 mph wind.

 

[zackngineer]

IDK why people are being obtuse here.

The fact of the matter is: there is too much we don't know to even give you advice. Windows are important. If a few windows blow out, the internal pressures in your house increase concurrently increasing the required loads for the rest of the structure. It's not a 1 or 2 or 3 option. It's a if 1 then 2 then 3 problem. What I mean is that it's about weakest links. If you do the windows but don't reinforce the jambs and headers then you may have not actually gained anything meaningful. You really need an engineer on-site, not on-line to figure this all out for you.