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Hurricanes
are a fact of life in Nassau County and so a solid roof is necessary
to withstand the terrific pressures and windblown debris. Once a roof
integrity has been breached the secondary effects are more
devastating. Water from the torrents of rain can pour in and destroy
the home’s interior.
House Bill 7057
To lessen
the effects of a hurricane damage a new law, House Bill 7057, now
requires that roofs installed before 2002 have to be reinforced to
better withstand a hurricane's punch. This entails more stringent
rules on nailing the roof deck and to install secondary-water barrier
for better roof-to-wall protection. To adhere to the law the work
must be completed by a roofing contractor licensed by the state of
Florida.
Types of Roofing
The type
and shape of the roof on your home can help determine how well it
will perform during a severe windstorm in Nassau.
Hipped
Roof: This type of roof is “Barn-like”
in that it slopes upward from all sides of the building. This gives
it an aerodynamic quality and structural integrity that allow it to
perform better in windstorms that most other roof types.
Gabled
Roof: This a standard-style where the two
slopes meet up to form a ridge or a peak at the top. Gabled roofs
have overhanging eaves that can catch wind gusts in a hurricane. As
well lesser attention is place on bracing the end wall and this is
also a disadvantage when confronted with the high velocity winds.
Since
House Bill 7057 requires remodeling a gabled end wall this can be
accomplished by:
Balloon
Framing. The walls are built from the floor
below all the way up to the roof using single length studs, cement,
cement blocks or Insulated Concrete Forms. Balloon-framed gable end
walls do not have to support the triangular part of the gable as in
normal construction as they are a continuous structure. In a severe
storm this triangular part can fold over on itself collapsing the
roof.
Platform
framing. With this option the intersection
of the gable and the end wall are braced. If there is an attic in
the home bracing cane be used to provide the lateral support of the
gable end wall. Along with bracing along the top and the bottom of
the gable end the entire gable end to the top of the end wall can be
further strengthened with metal hurricane connectors.
Types
of Roofs
Tile
– As old as civilization itself the
clay tile is probably the most used tile in the world. Yes it is
heavy but it will usually last the life span of the home.
Fiber
Cement – A constant in roofing for
over 70 years it has only been in the past 20 years that cellulose
fibers were substituted for asbestos. An imitation of tile this
product is manufactured in corrugated panels comes in a wide range
of colors.
Metal
– The draw for steel is that it weighs
only 1.25 lb per square foot, almost one-tenth the weight of many
clay tile. Many contractors claim that, because it is bolted down,
it is safer than tiles in hurricanes withstanding up to 225 mph
winds..
Asphalt
– The 3-tab asphalt shingle is the old
reliable in roofing and can still do the job if placed in the right
way. It’s cheap and easy to put down, however, if you do not
tar down the tabs wind gusts are able, in some cases, to strip a
roof.
Laminates
– This type of shingle is generally
more durable than 3-tabs. They a;so look great, like cedar shakes in
some case.
Ask your
Nassau County roofing experts to give you an estimate on the type of
roof you need for the house style you possess.
For more
information in the new codes for hurricanes in the Nassau area you
can go in person to:
Public
Services Building
96161
Nassau Place
Yulee, Fl.
32097
Other
Contact information:
Phone:
* (800)
948-3364
* (904)
321-5760
Fax: (904)
321-5763
Building
Official - Whitey Moran, C.B.O.
Extension:
104
E-mail:
wmoran@nassaucountyfl.com
Deputy
Building Official - Bob Sasser, C.B.O.
Extension:
145
E-mail:
rsasser@nassaucountyfl.com
Sr. Plans
Examiner(Commercial) - Keith Ellis, C.E.A.P.
Extension:
150
E-mail: kellis@nassaucountyfl.com
Plans
Examiner(Residential) - Ed Letellier, C.B.O.
Extension:
151
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