Roof Sheathing Clip Spacing

Roof sheathing panel spacing hints.

Roof sheathing clip spacing.

Spacer type panel edge clips are available from some manufacturers. The most common rafter spacing is 24 inches and 5 8 inch plywood is recommended for that. A strong resilient roof is a home s first line of defense when the roof deck is exposed to weather. Plywood clips also referred to as h clips or panel edge clips are small metal brackets placed between the unsupported edges of plywood sheathing to effectively reduce the support spacing and stiffen the plywood.

Simpson strong tie panel sheathing clips are used to brace unsupported sheathing edges and provide a 1 8 gap to address shrinkage and expansion of roof sheathing. Roof sheathing comes in grid marked 4 by 8 foot sheets and should be installed perpendicular to the frame. Not always required but a good idea. Never attach roof sheathing with staples.

Sheathing should be a minimum of 19 32 inch thick. The clips are inserted over the edges of the adjacent plywood panels to reduce deflection of the panel edges between the framing members and are most commonly used for roof sheathing. A 1 8 inch space between adjacent panel end and edge joints is recommended unless panel manufacturer indicates otherwise. Check building code requirements for installation of panel edge clips.

Spacer type panel edge clips may also be used for roof sheathing applications. 8d ring shank nails should be used instead. Some older h clips do not provide a built in gap. Use a 10d box nail to gauge 1 8 inch spacing between panels.

For improved performance consider thicker roof sheathing panels panel edge clips or panels with tongue and groove edges. The typical thickness range for sheathing is 3 8 to 3 4 inch. Zip system roof assembly combines our revolutionary integrated sheathing and flashing tape or liquid flashing to provide a sealed roof for protection against moisture intrusion during construction or if high winds strip the roof covering away. Edge clip requirements depend on the relationship of the panel span rating to the actual distance between roof framing.

Use a 10d box 0 128 inch by 3 inch nail as a spacer to gauge 1 8 inch edge and end spacing between panels.