Manny Oyola, Jr., Technical Manager Eastern Region FL, Eagle Roofing Products
The first official reference of instructions for hip and ridge attachment that I can recall was in the FRSA-TRI Concrete and Clay Roof Tile Installation Manual First Edition. As I look through all the manuals in my collection, it becomes apparent that the Fourth Edition, dated August 2005, was the first manual to bring forward the revised instructions for hip and ridge attachment. The foreword added from this manual is as follows:
Foreword
These recommendations were developed after surveying the recent hurricanes and with input from the code, roofing and tile manufacturing community. They are designed to further clarify the current installation procedures as they pertain to the specific roof tile systems (mechanically fastened, adhesive-set or mortar-set). The following recommendations provide for only products approved by the FBC (Florida Building Code), tested according to SSTD-11 and verified by third-party independent FBC approved laboratories, to determine the wind uplift limitations of the various hip and ridge attachment methods or by installation methods currently recognized in the HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) section of the FBC. A joint subcommittee consisting of members from FRSA (Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, Inc) and the TRI (Tile Roofing Institute) drafted these recommendations and they were approved by consensus by the FRSA Roof Tile Committee.
Fast forward to the 6th Edition tile manual and you’ll notice the new designation of SSTD-11 is SSTD-11-99 and its recommendations are only for the products approved by the FBC and tested via third-party independent FBC approved laboratories.
They will determine the wind uplift limitations of the various hip and ridge attachment methods or by installation methods currently recognized in the HVHZ section of the FBC. There are three basic attachment methods for hip and ridge tiles: mechanical attachment, adhesive-set and mortar-set attachment systems. The minimum headlap when installing hip and ridge tiles is 2 inches unless restricted by product design. Any exposed fasteners should be covered with a UV-resistant sealant.
All cut field tiles adjacent to a hip or ridge shall be attached to the cap sheet and/or the adjacent tile with an approved adhesive, mortar or mechanical fasteners and adhesives.
■ Metal Member – Set member in plastic cement or compatible sealant. Fasten 6 inches on center on each side of the metal flange with minimum 1-1/4 inch ring shank roofing nails. If mechanical attachment of the member is not used, install the member with foam per the manufacturer’s instructions.
■ Plastic Member – Install the member with foam per the manufacturer’s instructions.
■ Wood Member - Fasten 18 inches on center with four #8 screws per metal strap or H-bracket. Each attachment point shall have two fasteners on each side of the wood member. The fasteners shall be spaced evenly on the metal strap or H-bracket with the attachment holes parallel to the hip or ridge. The straps and H-brackets shall be a minimum of 26 gauge. All materials must be compatible with each other. If mechanical attachment of the wood member is not used, install the member with foam per the manufacturer’s instructions.
■ Mortar – When using foam or mortar field tile attachment, mortar can be used as a structural attachment. Place in a full bed of pre-bagged mortar under the entire tile. Each tile must be fully embedded into the mortar. The field tile secured to the underlayment along with the mortar on each trim tile creates the structural bond. The entire cavity under the trim tile should be filled with approved mortar.
■ Starter Tiles – All starter tiles must be secured at both ends of the tile either with mechanical fasteners, mortar and/or adhesive. When the field tile is installed with foam or mortar, the starter tile may be installed with an approved mortar.
Chose one of the following:
■ Mortar – pre-bagged or job-site mix is used to weather block the longitudinal edges of the hip and ridge tiles and provide aesthetics. A full bed of mortar is placed along the longitudinal edges of the hip and ridge tile either during the application
of the hip and ridge tiles or may be packed in after the hip and ridge tiles are installed and the adhesive has cured. Install mortar to seal all voids between the field tile and the hip/ridge tile. Care should be taken to ensure enough mortar is used. The mortar should create a wedge to keep the mortar from dislodging from under the hip/ridge and the field tile junction. Ensure areas are
sealed to prevent water entry. After the mortar is packed into place, then apply point up mortar to the desired finish.
■ Foam – is used to weather block the entire cavity of the adjoining planes of field tile to the sides of the structural support. This
system uses foam as the weather blocking. There is no mortar placed along the longitudinal edges of the hip and ridge tile.
Foam is placed where the field tile abuts the structural support. A bead of foam is placed parallel to the hip and/or ridge and
the structural support to tile junction to act as a weather block and is applied prior to the attachment of the hip and ridge tile. Install foam to seal all voids between the field tile and the structural support. Care should be taken to ensure all areas are sealed with adhesive to prevent water entry. Apply a polyurethane compatible coating to protect the foam from UV exposure.
Remember the following when installing weather blocking:
■ Mandatory in Florida on all profiles
■ Provides hip and ridge with finished appearance
■ Protects underlayment and flashings
■ Increases overall life and performance of the roofing system
■ Mortar, mastic, pressure-sensitive roll adhesives, polyurethane foam can be used (mortar is used on 99.9 percent of all roofs in high wind zone.)
Manuel “Manny” Oyola, Jr., Eagle Roofing Products, holds a roofing contractors license and is an active member of the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRI) and the Palm Beach County Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association, the local FRSA Affiliate.
He is also an active member of FRSA’s Codes Committee and Codes Subcommittee, serves as the Secretary-Treasurer on FRSA’s Executive Committee and participates on the FRSA-TRI Manual Review Committee. Manny teaches roof tile courses for TRI and FRSA.
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