Hurricane Clips: Connectors Compared

Not all hurricane clips are the same. Some hold 1,000 pounds. Others hold 1,500. The difference between a roof that stays on and one that blows off often comes down to a $3 piece of metal. Here's how to pick the right one.

H2.5A
~1,000 lbs
H10
~1,340 lbs
Hurricane Strap
~1,500+ lbs
Pull Test Simulation
0 lbs
0
Toe-nail uplift (lbs)
0
H2.5A clip uplift (lbs)
0
H10 clip uplift (lbs)
0
x stronger than toe-nails

Side-by-Side Comparison

Each connector type has trade-offs. More strength costs more money and takes more time. Here's how they stack up.

Feature
H2.5A
H10
Strap
Uplift Resistance
1,000 lbs
1,340 lbs
1,500+ lbs
Wrap Style
Single
Double
Over-top
Nails Required
4
6-8
8-10
Install Time
Fast
Medium
Slow
Cost Each
~$1.50
~$2.50
~$3.50
Retrofit Friendly
Yes
Yes
Harder
Insurance Discount
Some
More
Most

How Hurricane Clips Work

Every clip does the same job: keep the roof attached to the walls when wind tries to lift it off.

1

Wind Creates Uplift

During a hurricane, wind flows over your roof like air over an airplane wing. This creates suction that pulls the roof upward. A typical roof can experience over 1,000 lbs of uplift force per truss.

2

Clips Transfer Load

Hurricane clips wrap around the truss and nail into the wall plate below. They create a continuous connection from roof to wall. When wind lifts, the clip pulls against the wall instead of just the nails.

3

More Metal = More Strength

Double-wrap clips contact more wood. More nail holes means more nails. Straps that go over the top engage both sides of the truss. Each design choice adds strength but also cost and install time.

Clip Cost Calculator

Figure out how many clips you need and what it'll cost.

52
clips needed
Estimated Cost: $130 for materials

Frequently Asked Questions

The H2.5A clip wraps around the truss from one side and provides about 1,000 lbs of uplift resistance. The H10 clip wraps around from both sides and provides about 1,340 lbs of uplift resistance. H10 is stronger but costs more and takes longer to install.

Standard toe-nails handle only 200-400 lbs. Single-wrap clips like H2.5A handle about 1,000 lbs. Double-wrap clips like H10 handle about 1,340 lbs. Hurricane straps can handle 1,500+ lbs depending on the model.

Yes. Broward County is in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) where building code requires approved roof-to-wall connectors. Toe-nails alone do not meet code for new construction or re-roofing projects.

Yes, retrofit hurricane clips can be added from the attic. This is one of the most cost-effective hurricane upgrades. Many insurance companies offer discounts for verified hurricane clip installation.

It depends on the clip type. H2.5A clips typically need 4 nails (2 in truss, 2 in wall plate). H10 clips need 6-8 nails. Using fewer nails than specified dramatically reduces the clip's strength.

Need Wind Load Calculations?

Get engineer-stamped calculations for your Broward County project. We'll specify exactly which clips you need and where.

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Quick Clip Facts
Toe-nail strength ~200 lbs
H10 clip strength ~1,340 lbs
Improvement 6.7x stronger
Avg cost per clip $2.50