Making garage hurricane proof

[HamAndEggs]

Alright, not hurricane proof, but much better than it was. I have no walls up, so I figured I'd take this time to put in stud ties, replace some rotted studs, hurricane ties and better foundation anchoring

Most of my rafters are like this, not very well connected



Before ordering hurricane ties, I came across these Simpson Truss/Rafter screws. Very easy to install! Put one on every rafter



It was about $35 for a 50 pack, no brainer!

For the foundation, I found about 10 or so what look like duplex nails connecting the sill plate to the foundation... Half were split too



I asked a structural engineer I had done some work with, and he suggested 1/2 x 7 wedge anchors into the foundation, 12 inches from each corner and every 48 inches otherwise. Came very good

I used 2x2 bearing plates and red Loctite





I did have to get a little creative with some of them



May be a boring post, but I figured I'd post incase it gives anyone else ideas. This cost under $120 in parts, and surely made my garage much stronger

 

[bb29510]

you need a 2x between each rafter to lock it in, tight

 

[cliffcharb]

That's a start. I'm currently building a wood framed garage in SW Florida. Per our codes this thing is tied in excess. 5/8" anchors w/3" washer plates every 32" Every stud has a tie top and bottom, straps at each king/jack stud, tie straps at each corner & opening, rafter ties on each truss etc...
I've come to learn they are more worried about it lifting than blowing over.

 

[Signing off]

Great work on those. Less doubt during a crunch time situation. I don't know how important this next detail is.

The rollers can get ripped from the tracks. An upgrade I read about is to add a second axle bracket inboard to each position and buy double length roller/axle assemblies.
I didn't pay up at the time I read about it. But need to reconsider at my current home.

 

[HamAndEggs]

That's a start. I'm currently building a wood framed garage in SW Florida. Per our codes this thing is tied in excess. 5/8" anchors w/3" washer plates every 32" Every stud has a tie top and bottom, straps at each king/jack stud, tie straps at each corner & opening, rafter ties on each truss etc...
I've come to learn they are more worried about it lifting than blowing over.

Wow, that thing is really anchored down!!! Every 32"!

 

[HamAndEggs]

Great work on those. Less doubt during a crunch time situation. I don't know how important this next detail is.

The rollers can get ripped from the tracks. An upgrade I read about is to add a second axle bracket inboard to each position and buy double length roller/axle assemblies.
I didn't pay up at the time I read about it. But need to reconsider at my current home.

Hopefully soon enough I'll get a new door, at the same time I'll replace the garage header that has a bit of a sag. When that time comes, I'll make sure its a rated door and really anchored in there

 

[kabinenroller]

We do not have hurricanes in Wisconsin, in fact tornadoes are rare. When I built my shop ( stick built 2x6 walls) the local code mandated that I have hurricane clips on every roof joist, they were required to be held in place by special fasteners, and every hole in the clip needed to have a fastener. The building inspector checked every clip to make sure they were compliant.

 

[MushCreek]

Yeah, the door is usually the weak link. They do make kits to really brace the door. It requires installing a couple parts when a hurricane is predicted. When we lived in FL, I installed a 'hurricane proof' door, and it was a monster.

Secure Door® Brace (7ft high doors, 2 Door Pack) "BESTSELLING 2 PACK"

Description Secure Door® Brace - 7ft high doors - 2 Pack Hurricane Garage Door Brace Kits Rated for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) at only the fraction of the cost of a wind rated door. Garage door wind brace kits can telescope to fit garage doors up to 7 feet in height and weighs only 14...

www.securedoorbraces.com

 

[HamAndEggs]

Yeah, the door is usually the weak link. They do make kits to really brace the door. It requires installing a couple parts when a hurricane is predicted. When we lived in FL, I installed a 'hurricane proof' door, and it was a monster.

Secure Door® Brace (7ft high doors, 2 Door Pack) "BESTSELLING 2 PACK"

Description Secure Door® Brace - 7ft high doors - 2 Pack Hurricane Garage Door Brace Kits Rated for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) at only the fraction of the cost of a wind rated door. Garage door wind brace kits can telescope to fit garage doors up to 7 feet in height and weighs only 14...

www.securedoorbraces.com

I wonder if I could just throw a 2x4 in front of the door, screw it into the header and have a bracket on the floor screwed into the concrete. Sure cheaper than $600

 

[rlitman]

I wonder if I could just throw a 2x4 in front of the door, screw it into the header and have a bracket on the floor screwed into the concrete. Sure cheaper than $600

You would want a bracket on every panel too.

 

[MushCreek]

I'm sure it would be fairly easy to come up with a DIY version. I know I could. One system I saw had threaded inserts epoxied into the floor to hold the bottom of the brace.

 

[bb29510]

on my door, I added angle to inside so I can bolt more angle to keep the wind blowing the door in, and then the door bolts to the angle I added. so on the inside i got (4) 10 foot angle crossing the door for each door


i been through so many hurricanes, I have a concrete house. My biggest issue are, where the disney dvd and do I have enough cheectos

 

[thammel]

The long simpson bolts are great! I bought 6" TimberTek bolts for my shed....Wished I did that on my garage but it's all insulated, drywalled and painted now.