In zones with a high risk of hurricanes, conventional wall bracing isn't enough. Shear panels are required at critical areas, usually at the corners. A shear panel is a wall segment that's engineered to resist hurricanes more effectively than the average wall. The strength of shear panels comes from additional fasteners, thicker sheathing, additional studs, anchors, and hold downs. The shear panels can be either constructed at the jobsite or supplied as preassembled units, ready to install. Preassembled panels are a convenient solution for builders, because they’re constructed and inspected by the manufacturer. Builders need to worry only about fastening them in place properly and checking the installation.

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.”

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