How to Brace a Hip Roof

A hip roof is characterized by four shingled sides that descend all the way to the eaves, separated by four hips. The hip roof design is strong and durable, but it's a good idea to strengthen a hip roof even more if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or heavy snowfalls. A few hours in your attic with a drill and some lumber can help to brace your hip roof against damage.

Measuring tape
2-by-6 lumber
Saw
Screws, 4 inches long
Drill
Metal bands
Screws, 2 inches long

Instructions

- 1
  Stretch measuring tape at a 90-degree angle from the center of one of the hip rafters down to a ceiling joist in the attic. Cut a piece of 2-by-6 lumber to that length.
- 2
  Screw the ends of the cut 2-by-6 lumber to the rafter and the ceiling joist using 4-inch long screws.
- 3
  Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the other three hip rafters in the roof.
- 4
  Attach a metal band to the side of a ceiling joist at the eaves where the joist meets a rafter by screwing two 2-inch-long screws through the metal band and into the joist.
- 5
  Wrap the band up and around the rafter and screw the other end of the band to the other side of the ceiling joist with two 2-inch-long screws.
- 6
  Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the rest of the ceiling joists where the bases of the rafters meet the ends of the ceiling joists.

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