Ridge straps

[gary24752]

When ridge straps are used in lieu of collar ties how is the deck nailed down at the ridge when you have 20 ga. metal straps nailed the full width of the rafters.

 

[theory2code2practice]

When ridge straps are used in lieu of collar ties how is the deck nailed down at the ridge when you have 20 ga. metal straps nailed the full width of the rafters.

I’ve often thought about this too. I came up with a few ideas. 1. Since the straps are actually for uplift, use joist hangers that are also rated for uplift. 2. A potential option is to nail a short rafter to the rafter that is strapped so you can nail the sheathing to to it. 3. …. Is there a strap you could connect both rafters and twist under the ridge board. You have to calc the uplift and tension.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[XR250]

The nail gun may punch right thru it. An option I have used when they forget the ridge straps and don't want the flat area is to use a Simpson DTT1Z at at each rafter.

 

[phamENG]

I specify/detail ridge straps on top of the sheathing. Works the same, they can see where the rafters are by the nails in the sheathing, and you avoid this issue. Also easier to inspect/verify they're installed.

 

[theory2code2practice]

I specify/detail ridge straps on top of the sheathing. Works the same, they can see where the rafters are by the nails in the sheathing, and you avoid this issue. Also easier to inspect/verify they're installed.

Are those straps meant to go over the sheathing? Do you specify certain nails?

 

[phamENG]

Are those straps meant to go over the sheathing?

It's a strip of sheet steel with holes. Nothing especially proprietary about them. If you start looking at the dimpled ones, maybe, but the regular straps are simple enough that you can use them for pretty much whatever you want so long as you can justify the behavior of the connection. Beam hangers? That's a bit more complicated - stick to the tested values. But a strap is a strap whether I tell them to order from Simpson or just use snips to cut a strip out of a sheet.

Do you specify certain nails?

If I need something other than the nail specified in the catalog, yes.

 

[Flotsam7018]

I do the same as phamENG. Check the general notes, for up to 5/8" WSP use 2-1/2" nails minimum, which is the minimum nail length for 90% of the straps anyway.

 

[ANE91]

Whether above the sheathing or below, something is getting nailed through the straps, be it shingles or sheathing. Never heard of a contractor using more nails than required, so I’m not worried about swiss-cheesing the strap. Be it the opposite concern, I don’t expect the straps to occlude anything but the smallest of nails loaded into the crappiest of guns. I’ve seen enough metal decking installed with PDFs to know when sheet metal is a problem and when it isn’t. Don’t worry; the contractor is missing rafters half the time, anyway.