Are sheathing clips necessary?

For the most common roof sheathing in our area, which is 1/2” nominal (7/16” actual) sheathing over trusses or rafters at 24” on center, there is no requirement for H-clips. One or two H-clips will often allow a longer span between roof trusses/rafters.

Where do plywood clips go?

A panel edge clip (often called an “H-clip” or “plywood clip”) is typically a small piece of galvanized metal that is placed between adjacent wood structural sheathing panels at a location between supporting joists or trusses and/or rafters to provide support to panel edges.

Are plywood clips required?

Anyone installing 7/16″ OSB or plywood on 24 inch spans without end supports (clips) is in violation of “commonly accepted building standards” (the IRC) unless your jurisdiction has chosen to exclude that requirement by law.

Why do you need plywood clips?

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. Plywood clips are inserted by hand and the procedure is done in conjunction with installation of the sheathing.

Are plywood clips required by code?

What is the purpose of H-clips?

H-clips, also called panel-edge clips, are small steel devices that fit snugly between wood panels in order to provide them with edge support. They are often used with roof sheathing to keep it from feeling spongy or soft at its edges.

Where do you put sheathing clips?

Position plywood clips onto the top or upper horizontal edge of the installed plywood panels between each rafter or support block. The H-shaped fins slide over the plywood until the middle connecting section is against the plywood’s edge.

How many plywood clips do I need?

Answer: You need 1 clip per a rafter bay/cavity. If the rafters are 16 inches O.C. and the plywood sheet is 8 foot long, then you get 6 bays/cavities.

Do I need an H-clip for my roof sheathing?

The APA table has a span rating for the sheathing installed with, or without, H-clips, and the span rating is the same both ways. A low slope roof (below 2/12 pitch) at the same span is an exception, however, and an H-clip is specified. H-clips are also necessary for other wood panel thickness and span combinations.

How to use plywood clips for sheathing?

How to Use Plywood Clips 1 Install a full horizontal row of plywood sheathing following standard practices. 2 Position plywood clips onto the top or upper horizontal edge of… 3 Install the next row of plywood into position by sliding the bottom edge into the channel… 4 Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to complete… See More….

How do you attach plywood sheathing to rafters?

Install a full horizontal row of plywood sheathing following standard practices. Position plywood clips onto the top or upper horizontal edge of the installed plywood panels between each rafter or support block. The H-shaped fins slide over the plywood until the middle connecting section is against the plywood’s edge.

Do I need to install H-clips?

Most builders install them, but they are not automatically required for all applications. The International Residential Code (IRC) and the Residential Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC) both refer to Table R503.2.1.1 (1) of the APA Engineered Wood Construction Guide for specs. H-clips are referred to in the APA Guide as “edge support.”