Nailing THROUGH metal straps?
KurtGranrothAZ
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
My structural plan specifies using Simpson metal straps in a few locations. In all such locations, there will be an OSB sheet eventually covering the strap. In a few of these cases, the strap falls along a line where it will be necessary to nail the sheathing to secure it to code. What is the expectation there?
Very specific current example: the engineer specified ST6236 straps centered on the ridge beam connecting the common rafters. The roof sheathing needs to be attached right up to the top. Do I nail right through the strap? If so, are nail guns powerful enough to go through 14 gauge galvanized steel or do I need to pre-drill a hole? If not nail, then what?
Thanks.
Replies
I wouldn't worry to much about the sheathing nails you miss because of the strap. It's only a couple of nails. I've never seen an inspector who would insist on nailing through the strap. The question you should be asking is how you are going to nail a 2" + strap to a 1 1/2" rafter.
Oof!! The straps were just delivered and you are right -- they are a proud 2" and the nailing holes are all on the outside. This isn't the first time the engineer specified a specific product that physically doesn't work with the other specified bits.
And thanks for the advice on the rest of the straps. I'll just skip over those.
We put the straps on top of the sheathing. Our engineer speced them that way and we can continue working before the inspector comes.
Oh, thank you for saying that! I zoomed in on the strap detail on my plans and, sure enough, the strap is on the top of the sheathing. I had not noticed that before!
So with that in mind, I might be able to use the 2" wide strap after all, if I nail at an angle -- taking care of two birds with one stone. Sweet.