Builders can use several strategies for keeping the roof on the home during a hurricane. Plywood is preferable to OSB decking, because it’s sturdier. High-quality fasteners and hurricane-proof nailing patterns help keep the roof from lifting up. Decrease the spacing of fasteners on the roof deck to 4" on center. Closer spacing keeps the roof more secure to the home and prevents it from lifting up. Use nails and screws with a longer shank and larger head, and use a closer spacing pattern with more nails and screws. It’s important to check your work, because you can easily miss areas with a nail gun. To protect the home against water intrusion, the gaps between plywood sheets should be sealed with a peel and stick tape.

For more information on protecting your homes and homeowners from hurricanes, visit FEMA's website or read our related article, “Riding out the Storm: Protecting homes from hurricane damage.”

Have other concerns about water intrusion? Sign your team up for BuildIQ University’s new Water Management Suite of online courses.