How It Works

The Windstorm Method is an innovative way to design and build a home to structurally withstand high wind forces. The summary below clearly shows how and why the Windstorm Method is superior to conventional ways of fortifying a home against high winds.

The Problem

Homes in hurricane, high wind and tornado-prone areas must be designed to withstand wind forces known as “uplift” and “shear” as required by building codes. Uplift is the force pushing upwards on a home. Shear describes the wind force pushing sideways.

The Old Method

A 7-step process requiring builders to cut and install 4×8 sheathing and use metal hardware such as stud-to-plate connectors, strapping, threaded rods, as well as install blocking at horizontal joints.

Upside: Meets hurricane code.

Downside: Very costly. time/labor/material-intensive with more chance of errors and code infractions.

The Windstorm Method

A simple 2-step process in which Windstorm engineered wall sheathing is simply nailed into place according to an engineer’s specified nailing schedule.

Upside: Meets hurricane codes, but without the expense and hassle of installing unneccessary hardware, cutting and installing blocking. Windstorm comes in sizes to match standard wall heights and connect top plate to bottom plate, or top plate to mid-band in for raised floor applications. The Windstorm panel and the nails provide the continious load path.

Downside: None.

WINDSTORM: THE SIMPLER SOLUTION

Windstorm wall sheathing uses a simpler and faster way to achieve the required continuous load path than traditional methods. With Windstorm sheathing loads are transfered via the nails from the top plate, to the Windstorm sheathing down to nails at the bottom of the panel and back into the framing.

Floor to floor uplift capacity is the lowest of:

1. Wood structural panel tensile capacity.
2. Stud tensile capacity.
3. Wood-structural-panel-to-rim-joinst connection capacity.
4. APA OSB or plywood Rim Board tensile capacity. Note solid-sawn lumber and LVN rim joist have no tension perpedicular-to-grain design capacity and should not be used when more uplift resistance is necessary (beyond what will be provided by the weight of the overlying building structure.

Building Sustainably

Windstorm Wall Sheathing can help meet your green building initiatives such as the National Green Building Standard and LEED. Windstorm is certified by the NAHB Research Center as an “Approved Green Product” for the National Green Building Standard. Below you will find an information sheet that will help you determine what practices and points may be available to you when Windstorm is used. All Norbord OSB including Trubord, TallWall, TruFlor, Pinnacle, Solarbord, Stabledge and Rimboard are “Approved Green Products” and can help you meet your initiatives.