Built No Equal - Connectors and Shearwalls

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Continuous Load Path

Image courtesy of Simpson Strong-Tie®

You Can't Judge a House by its Cover

Homebuilding continues to evolve more rapidly over the past few years. Home buyers have become increasingly more sophisticated about recognizing good construction in a new home. While location remains the primary factor in buying decisions, the buyers recognize that the wind and other natural forces in that location can affect the structural integrity of their new home. They're looking beyond the floor plan, countertops and double pane windows, to focus on the quality of the actual framing.

Builders have responded by reinforcing critical points in the homes with connectors; steel devices used to strengthen, support and connect joints in building construction. By providing extra reinforcement, connectors enhance the safety of a building and offer protection for not only the investment but also the family that occupies it.

Additionally, as building departments and insurance companies work to update building codes, connectors are now required in many types of construction where formerly they were optional.

Stronger, Safer, Better

Tips for Horne Buyers

1. Check with your local building department to learn what forces of nature must be considered when building your new home.

2. Learn more about connectors and how they can improve the structural integrity of your new home.

3. Make a point of discussing connectors with your builder: find out where they will be used and where else they may be of benefit.

4. During construction, visit the job-site during the framing stage to see where and how the connectors are being installed.

5. Remember that adding connectors at this stage is easy and relatively inexpensive. The extra care put into the frame of a home now can make it stronger and safer into the future.

Using connectors to fasten the wood frame at each of the critical points of connection will provide a "continuous load path" of strength from the roof right down to the foundation. The continuous load path principle is at the heart of the BUILT NO EQUAL program offered the Simpson Strong-Tie® Company.

Prepare Your Home for High Winds and Hurricanes

As we've seen with the recent hurricanes, homes are not always built to withstand a major storm. Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Huricane Ike will prove costly as well. Homes and buildings were severely damaged, if not destroyed, leaving thousands of families displaced. It will take years for communities to rebuild and recover from such devastation.

How Wind Affects Your Home - This link opens a page from the Simpson Strong-Tie web site that demonstrates how high winds and hurricanes affect your home and what you can do to increase your home's storm resistance.



A Well-Connected House™ is constructed using Simpson Strong-Tie® connectors throughout the home. These solid connections at the foundation, walls, floors and roof, provide greater safety through better structural support and improved resistance to the damaging effects of storms, high winds, hurricanes or earthquakes. To learn more, click the "Built No Equal" image below.

Updated: Thursday, May 10, 2012 12:06 PM