How to Strengthen Roof Plywood Panels

Strengthening plywood roof panels is something that should ideally be done during construction. However, it is something that can be done during a re-roofing project or whenever concern arises about protecting a home from storms. To ensure the plywood panels are secure, inspect the workmanship from the original roofers, secure the panels with stronger nails and provide a layer of adhesive to the panels and trusses to provide a stronger bond between the two.

Construction adhesive
Large-head, thick-shank nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect the areas around where the plywood has been secured to the rafters and trusses. Nails should not be visible from the attic, although missing the frame when nailing down plywood is common. Areas near missed nails will need to be secured.
- 2
  Apply a 1/2-inch bead of construction adhesive along the joints where the plywood meets the rafter or truss. If roofing a new build, apply the adhesive directly to the truss before placing the plywood in place.
- 3
  Secure plywood to the frame with nails. To strengthen roof's resistance to storm damage, use nails with an extra-large head, thick shank, and spiral threads at the top. These nails provide a greater shear strength to help resist hurricane- and earthquake-type forces.

How to Spot Hail Damage

How to Install an Underground Storm Drainage System in Residential West Virginia

Storm Damage