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Hurricanes are unavoidable, especially if you live near the coast. While you can’t stop mother nature from doing her thing, you can take steps to protect your home.
One way to do that is by installing hurricane ties and straps.
This article will give you a rundown of the best hurricane ties and straps for your home. Think of it as your hurricane preparedness checklist.
We also included some affiliate links below. It doesn’t change the price for you or anything, but it helps to support our blog if you do use them to buy these hurricane straps.
Best Overall: Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5A 18-Gauge Hurricane Tie
The best overall hurricane tie is the Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5A 18-gauge. It is made of durable 18-gauge steel that resists high winds and works with various home styles. It’s also easy to install. Just screw it into your wall studs and rafters, and you’re good to go.
We’ve seen total beginners DIY this installation in just a few minutes.
This hurricane tie works for wood-to-wood applications, and you can use it with a variety of Simpson Strong-Tie products. However, the most important thing is that it can help ground your roof to your walls, keeping your home safe during a hurricane.
We’ve witnessed these ties in action during a hurricane, and they do their job! So if you’re looking for a reliable hurricane tie, the Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5a is an excellent option.
Best Metal Hanger Strip: Sioux Chief 524-1022PK2 22-Gauge Metal Hanger Strap
This metal hanger strip from Sioux Chief is an excellent option for stud-to-floor connection. It’s made of 22-gauge steel, and it comes in various sizes. That means you can find the perfect fit for your application.
The most important thing is that this hanger strip is easy to install. Just drill a few holes in the strip, then use screws or nails to secure it to the wall, which will create a strong connection that can hold up to the force of a hurricane.
The best part about this tie is that it is cheap and easy to find. You can buy it at most hardware stores or online, and it’s a great way to ensure that your home is safe during a hurricane.
It also works for various applications, so the Sioux Chief is an excellent option if you’re looking for a versatile hurricane tie.
Best T Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie 14-Gauge
If you’re looking for a T plate hurricane tie is both strong and durable, the Simpson Strong-Tie 14-Gauge is an excellent option.
This product is made from high-strength steel and features a corrosion-resistant finish, ideal for indoor and outdoor use. This hurricane tie also has a maximum tension of 1,500 pounds (680.39 kilograms), making it perfect for various applications.
Like the hanger strip, this tie is also easy to install and comes with all the necessary hardware. Plus, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so you can be sure it will last for years to come.
We have used these ties for various big and small projects, and they worked great every time. These ties paired well with the 4×4 deck posts, and gave us zero problems.
We highly recommend this product to anyone who needs a good T tie.
Best Accent Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie Outdoor Accent Mission 12-Gauge
The Simpson Strong-Tie Outdoor Accent Mission 12-Gauge will add rigidity to your home and give it an updated look.
It is made from 12-gauge steel and features a powder-coated finish that will resist rust. The piece is also easy to install and comes with the necessary hardware backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
You can throw a bunch of these on your pergola or around your porch columns for an instant style upgrade. Most people use screws when attaching this product to wood surfaces, but you can also use nails.
However, it is crucial to predrill holes when using screws to get them in smoothly.
This particular product comes in an L-shape, perfect for attaching to various surfaces, but it works best for strengthening the connection between two pieces of wood.
Best Roof Truss Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie Steel Roof Truss Tie 16-Gauge
Your roof is one of the most critical parts of your home, so you need to ensure it’s solid and secure—and the Simpson Strong-Tie Steel Roof Truss Tie 16-Gauge is the best way to do that.
It consists of steel for strength and durability, and it can withstand up to 120 mph (193.12 kph) wind loads. It’s also easy to install.
This tie is also great for repairing damaged trusses. If you have a truss that’s starting to sag or has begun to pull away from the wall, this tie can help reinforce it and keep it in place. It also has a proven track record of holding roofs together in the face of a hurricane.
Best Budget Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie Plate 20-Gauge Steel Tie
You’ve probably noticed we’re huge fans of Simpson Strong-Tie products by now, and their plate tie is no exception. This 20-gauge steel tie is excellent for budget-minded projects. It’s also easy to install and rated for interior and exterior use. Plus, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
If you’re looking for a more heavy-duty option, Simpson Strong-Tie also offers a 16-gauge plate tie. However, for most hurricane-proofing projects, the 20-gauge steel plate plus a couple of self-tapping screws will do the trick.
This product can reinforce various joints, including miter joints, butt joints, and T-joints.
This hurricane tie’s versatility and the great price make it our top pick for the best budget hurricane tie. The only issue with this steel plate is that it does not come with the screws (and it requires many).
However, if you’re looking for an economical way to reinforce your woodworking projects, this is your tie.
Best Holddown Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie Holddown 10-Gauge
The Simpson Strong-Tie Holddown 10-gauge is a perfect holddown tie for your next project. It consists of 10-gauge steel for strength and durability, and features a galvanized finish to resist corrosion.
The holddown tie has a 5/8-inch (1.59 centimeters) diameter hole compatible with most standard lag screws. It also comes with a template to make installation easy.
We have seen these ties in action and can confirm they do an excellent job of holding things down. We highly recommend them for any project that requires a solid holddown tie.
However, I must warn you that these ties are very sharp and can easily cut through the skin. So, be sure to wear gloves when working with them. You can also leave the work to the pros if you aren’t confident installing them yourself.
Best Gable Plate Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie APGP1212
The Simpson Strong-Tie APGP1212 is ideal for strengthening the bond between trusses and rafters. It features 12-gauge steel construction, is available in various lengths, and has a maximum load capacity of 120 lbs (54.43 kilograms).
The APGP1212 is ideal for use with 2×6 lumber, and it does not just work for gable connections. You can also use them to attach trusses or rafters to the ridge beam.
We recommend using the provided washers and nuts to secure the lag screws for additional security. That way, you can ensure your trusses or rafters will stay in place, no matter what.
If you’re wondering, the APGP1212 is also compatible with other Simpson Strong-tie products, like plate ties. So, if you’re looking for a versatile hurricane plate tie, this is the one for you.
Best Rafter Tie: Simpson Strong-tie 18-Gauge Galvanized Steel Rafter Tie
If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable rafter tie, the Simpson Strong-tie 18-Gauge Galvanized Steel Rafter Tie is great. This product works well on roofs with a pitch of up to 4/12, and it has a maximum load capacity of 140 pounds (63.5 kilograms).
We have used these on a few occasions, and they are straightforward to install and are great for the price. We’ve not had any issues and recommend them to anyone needing a rafter tie.
The only downside to this product is that it is not adjustable, so you must ensure your lumber is the correct size before ordering. But, overall, the Simpson Strong-tie Galvanized Steel Rafter Tie is a solid product that offers excellent value.
Best Tree Strap: HORT Tree Strap
The HORT Tree Strap is a great way to secure trees or other plants to a support system.
It is made from high-strength polyester webbing and features a rust-resistant ring for easy connection to a pulling solution. This strap is available in various lengths. So, you can choose the perfect size for your needs.
The buckle allows you to adjust it to the desired tightness easily, and the polyester webbing is strong enough to hold up to 250 pounds (113.4 kilograms). This product is also UV-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it fading in the sun.
However, you have to use this strap with care, as the polyester webbing can damage your tree’s bark if you don’t install it correctly. Still, overall, the HORT tree strap is an excellent product for securing trees or other plants, and the best part is that it’s very affordable.
Final Thoughts
The mentioned products are great for anyone in need of a reliable rafter tie, tree strap, or ratchet strap, and the best part is that they’re all very affordable. So, if you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive way to secure your home for “the big one,” look no further than these valuable devices.
We may not have used all the hurricane ties and straps in existence but have come to trust the listed products over the years. Hopefully, this article was helpful and allowed you to find the perfect solution for your needs.