Animated Connection Load Transfer Diagram
Watch how uplift forces travel through clip vs strap connections. Click "Run Load Test" to simulate increasing wind load and see the failure threshold for each connector type.
Real-Time Load Test Simulation
These meters simulate increasing uplift force on each connector. The H2.5A clip reaches its allowable limit at 590 lbs while the H10 strap continues holding to 1,340 lbs — over twice the capacity from a wrap-around design that engages both sides of the truss member.
Simpson H2.5A Clip
Single-sided attachment, (4) 8d nails into truss, (4) 8d nails into plate
Single-wrap connector engages truss from one face only. Load path transfers through nail shear and clip bending.
Simpson H10 Strap
Double-sided wrap-over, (6) 10d nails each side, (4) 10d into plate
Wrap-over strap engages both faces of the truss. Direct tension load path through galvanized steel eliminates bending weakness.
Specification Comparison: H2.5A vs H10
Every difference matters when the calculated uplift demand determines which connector passes Broward County framing inspection. These are published Simpson Strong-Tie values for Southern Pine lumber connections.
| Specification | H2.5A Clip | H10 Strap |
|---|---|---|
| Connector Type | Single-sided clip | Double-sided wrap-over strap |
| Allowable Uplift (lbs) | 590 | 1,340 |
| Allowable Lateral (lbs) | 315 | 500 |
| Fastener — Truss Side | (4) 8d x 1.5" nails | (6) 10d x 1.5" nails per side |
| Fastener — Top Plate | (4) 8d x 1.5" nails | (4) 10d x 1.5" nails |
| Total Fasteners | 8 nails | 16 nails |
| Steel Gauge | 18 ga galvanized | 18 ga galvanized |
| Engages Both Truss Faces | No | Yes |
| Retrofit Friendly (attic) | Yes — single-side access | No — requires both sides |
| Approximate Cost per Unit | $0.65 – $0.85 | $1.40 – $1.80 |
| Insurance Credit Tier | Single-wrap (moderate) | Double-wrap (highest) |
| Load Path Mechanism | Nail shear + clip bending | Direct tension through strap |
Nail Pattern Requirements
Broward County inspectors verify exact nail placement. Each dot below represents a required fastener. Missing a single nail on the H2.5A drops its rated capacity from 590 lbs to approximately 445 lbs — potentially below your calculated uplift demand.
H2.5A — 8 Nails Total
All nails 8d x 1.5" common. Single-sided installation from one face of truss.
H10 — 16 Nails Total
All nails 10d x 1.5" common. Wrap-over strap nailed on both faces of truss member.
When to Use Clips vs Straps
The decision is not always straightforward. Uplift demand, accessibility, truss spacing, and insurance goals all factor into the selection for Broward County projects.
Choose H2.5A Clip When:
- Retrofit from attic — Single-side access is the only option without removing ceiling finishes
- Low uplift zones — Interior trusses on hip roofs where net uplift after dead load offset stays below 590 lbs
- Budget-constrained retrofits — When upgrading from toe-nails and any connector improvement is the priority
- Tight framing — Where adjacent blocking prevents strap installation around the truss
Choose H10 Strap When:
- New construction — No access limitation; install before sheathing when both truss faces are exposed
- High uplift zones — Gable ends, roof corners, and eave conditions where calculated demand exceeds 600 lbs
- Insurance optimization — Double-wrap strap classification earns the highest wind mitigation discount tier
- 170 MPH at 24" o.c. — Standard Broward County truss spacing at full wind speed almost always demands strap-level capacity
Broward County Inspection Requirements
Framing inspection is the critical checkpoint for roof-to-wall connectors. Unlike Miami-Dade's NOA system, Broward County relies on Florida Building Code product approvals and the contractor's submitted connector schedule. Here is what inspectors verify.
Connector Verification
Inspectors confirm the installed connector matches the approved plans. An H2.5A on the plan cannot be substituted with an H1 in the field — even if both are Simpson products. The evaluation report number (ESR or FER) must match.
Nail Count & Size
Every fastener is counted. For an H2.5A, exactly 8 nails must be visible. For an H10, all 16 must be confirmed. Pneumatic nails are acceptable only if the diameter and length match the evaluation report — standard framing gun nails are often undersized.
Embedment & Spacing
Nails must penetrate minimum 1.5 inches into wood members. Nails too close to lumber edges cause splits that void the connection. Minimum edge distance of 3/8 inch from the member edge is enforced, with inspectors rejecting split truss chords.
Common Rejection Reasons in Broward County
- Wrong nail size — Using 8d nails in an H10 (requires 10d) is the most frequent rejection. The capacity drop is 30-40%.
- Missing nails — Pneumatic gun misfires leave nails partially driven or at angles. Each missing nail reduces published capacity proportionally.
- Split lumber — Nailing too close to the edge of 2x4 top plates causes splits. Inspector requires replacement of the plate section.
- Wrong connector model — Substituting H1 clips for specified H2.5A. Despite similar appearance, H1 has significantly lower capacity at 450 lbs uplift.
- Connector not at every truss — Plans call for connectors at 24" o.c., but field shows gaps at 48" o.c. or missing connectors at hip corners.
Installation Requirements by Connector Type
Proper installation is what separates a connector that performs to its rated capacity from one that fails at half the published value. These requirements are specific to wood-frame construction with Southern Pine or equivalent species per Simpson Strong-Tie technical literature.
H2.5A Installation Protocol
The H2.5A clip seats against one face of the truss bottom chord where it bears on the top plate. The clip flanges wrap around the plate and truss but do not cross over the top.
- Step 1: Position clip tight against truss face with both flanges fully seated — no gap between clip and wood
- Step 2: Drive (4) 8d x 1.5" nails into truss chord through clip holes — hand-nailing recommended to prevent overdriving
- Step 3: Drive (4) 8d x 1.5" nails into top plate — maintain 3/8" minimum edge distance from plate edges
- Step 4: Verify no nails protrude through opposite face and no lumber splitting has occurred
H10 Installation Protocol
The H10 strap wraps continuously over the top of the truss bottom chord, with nailing flanges extending down both faces. This creates a mechanical wrap that loads the steel in direct tension rather than bending.
- Step 1: Bend strap over truss top, centering it on the member. Both legs must be equal length — lopsided installation reduces capacity
- Step 2: Drive (6) 10d x 1.5" nails per side into truss chord — stagger nails to avoid splitting along the grain line
- Step 3: Drive (4) 10d x 1.5" nails into top plate — split evenly between both sides of the plate
- Step 4: Confirm strap lies flat with no kinks or bends in the transition zone over the truss top
The Continuous Load Path Principle
A hurricane clip or strap is only one link in the chain. Broward County's 170 MPH wind creates uplift forces that must travel from the roof sheathing, through the trusses, down the wall studs, through the bottom plate, and into the foundation. A break at any point causes failure.
The roof-to-wall connection is where most continuous load paths fail in older Broward County homes. Pre-2002 construction often relied on three toe-nails per truss — providing roughly 200-300 lbs of uplift resistance per connection. When ASCE 7-22 calculates 800+ lbs of uplift demand at a corner truss under 170 MPH conditions, those three toe-nails represent less than 40% of the required capacity. This is not a marginal shortfall. It is a structural vulnerability that modern connectors were specifically designed to address.
Above the Connection
Roof sheathing must be nailed per the enhanced nailing schedule (8d ring-shank at 4" o.c. edges, 6" o.c. field for Broward HVHZ). Truss top chords transfer sheathing uplift as axial tension down to the bearing point. The connector must then capture this force and transfer it into the wall plate without allowing the truss to separate from the wall.
Below the Connection
The top plate itself needs adequate attachment to the wall studs below. Simpson?"?-type studs-to-plate connectors or properly nailed plate-to-stud connections complete the path. From there, hold-down straps at braced wall segments carry accumulated uplift forces down to the foundation anchor bolts. Each connection in the chain must be designed for the same demand.
Cost vs Insurance Savings Analysis
For a typical 40-truss Broward County home, upgrading from clips to straps adds approximately $50-75 in material cost but can save $400-700 annually in wind insurance premiums through the higher mitigation credit tier.
H2.5A Clip Economics
Material per truss: $0.75 average
Total for 40 trusses: $30.00
Install time per unit: 2-3 minutes
Insurance tier: Single-wrap clip — moderate discount
Adequate for retrofit projects where attic access limits options. The moderate insurance discount still represents meaningful savings over toe-nail-only homes.
H10 Strap Economics
Material per truss: $1.60 average
Total for 40 trusses: $64.00
Install time per unit: 4-5 minutes
Insurance tier: Double-wrap strap — highest discount
The $34 material cost increase for a full house yields the highest insurance credit tier. Payback period is typically under 30 days from the annual premium savings alone.