Graphical Construction Glossary >> Roofs and roofing. >> wind brace

Wind brace

A structural member that stiffens a structure against the forces of the wind. It can be timber or metal, strut (in compression) or a tie (in tension).

Sketch of a roof showing some of the parts.

The old timber wind bracing as shown in this sketch, using say 150 x 35 to 100 x 50, is just about redundant. It relies on the fact that there is a convenient hanging beam under the ridge. Another way of doing it was to nail diagonal timber bracing to the underside of the rafters.

The modern way of doing it is to use galv. metal straps. These are 35 x 1.2 thick and slightly crimped to keep them straight. Before the pre-made versions were available hoop iron strap was used that came in rolls. It was a devil of a job getting them tight!

Strap bracing

• Strap bracing only works in tension so it must be done in crossed pairs.
• It is nailed to the top of the rafters, or trusses in the case above, and it must turn down and nailed to the faces of the timber to be effective.

I guess that the ultimate form of this type of bracing is the whole surface of the roof being sheeted with shear ply. As is the case when roofing shingle are used.

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"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900