H-clip should be installed as follows:
• One Hclip shall be placed between abutting panels at a location midway between each pair of
trusses, rafters, or joists. However, two (2) H-clips are required between supports when
spaced 48 inches on center.
• Use the same size panel edge clip as the panel thickness. H-clips must fit snugly.
• Abutting wood structural panels shall be fitted as closely as clips permit. Occasional misfit of
abutting sheets may be tolerated providing that gaps do not exceed maximum opening of 1/4"
(6mm).
Mis-spaced, embedded and/or damaged H-clips may reduce their effectiveness to transfer and resist
load. Panel bowing and/or buckling is often observed at locations where clips are damaged and/or
where they are placed more than half-way between the trusses or rafters (see Figure 2).
Figure 1.
Left: Galvanized steel H-clip.
Top right:H-clip installed between adjacent roof sheathing panels and in between supporting trusses.
Bottom right: Preloaded nylon (plastic) H-clip and ready for next row of plywood sheathing panels.
