Typhoon Proof Roof Design

The pressures above show the upward wind pressure on the 3 main types of roof.

Typhoon proof roof design.

In the design of the hurricane resistant home the length of these overhangs should be limited to 20 inches. Hurricane hugo has proven the strength of the shed roof. Roof overhangs are subject to wind uplift forces which could trigger a roof failure. Wall logs in such construction have to be made of circular reference glued laminated timber and all other components of the house have to be hurricane resistant.

Hip roofs with four slopes will perform better than gabled roofs with only two slopes. A round or multiple sided home is more resistant to hurricane strength winds. The breakaway theory has therefore become less applicable to shed. This can be illustrated in the diagram below from the whole building design guide organisation.

A cat 5 hurricane proof log house is resistant to the winds up to 245 mph. The round design allows the wind to blow around the home. It s more expensive but much more resistant to blown debris. A gable end roof is generally cheaper to build but less wind resistant than a hip style roof.

That is to say that conceptually the shed roof would be blown away and the main roof would stay intact. The outer siding of your home also needs to be an approved hurricane resistant material. In addition to stronger materials below the roof hurricane prone areas design the roofing system differently than buildings which are not in high risk areas. Design guidelines for hurricane resistant buildings.

Many shed roofs of traditional design have survived the storm.