Enhance Roof and Wall Sheathing Connections: Use Deformed Nails or Screws for Enhanced Roof and Wall Sheathing Connection.

Studies show as much as a doubling of withdrawal capacity, if not more, when deformed shank fasteners are used instead of smooth shank (assuming same size shank and adequate head size). Screws provide even greater holding power. Either deformed nails or screws are therefore very effective strategies in any area subject to high winds, with the added costs typically less than $250. Of course installation quality is still critical, as overdriving nails into sheathing can significantly reduce capacity and nails missing framing members, whether ring shank or not, will offer no uplift resistance. However, not all ring shank nails are equal; as a minimum recommendation, use ring shank nail specifications as found in the ICC 600 Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions, Section 309.3 (www.iccsafe.org).

A key benefit of the improved sheathing pull-off strength, beyond occupant
safety and limiting potential wind-debris impacts to neighboring homes, is that loss of even one roof sheathing panel in a major wind-driven rain event causes disproportionate damage to a home. Just one missing sheathing panel can allow a home to become inundated with water, which compounds the insurance loss in addition to displacing the residents.