# Is it .5 or 1.5 inches for proper Rafter/Truss strap installation **URL:** \ **Category:** Inspection Education Topics\ **Tags:** home-inspector-pro\ **Created:** [November 2, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-it-5-or-1-5-inches-for-proper-rafter-truss-strap-installation/271971 "2026-11-02T21:43:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aporro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/aporro/32/250128_2.png) [@aporro](https://forum.nachi.org/u/aporro)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-it-5-or-1-5-inches-for-proper-rafter-truss-strap-installation/271971/1 "2026-11-02T21:43:59Z")
Hello Everyone, Im currently going thru the Wind Mitigation course and became confused when I kepted seeing a minimum of .5 inches and 1.5 inches of gap for a compliant strap. Which is correct? ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-it-5-or-1-5-inches-for-proper-rafter-truss-strap-installation/271971/2 "2026-11-02T22:02:50Z")
Carefully read the form, it describes the exact dimensions of each measurement, and the location/purpose. “Less than 1/2 inch gap from the blocking…” AND “Blocked no more than 1.5 inches from truss or rafter…” Here is an example, no blocking used here, and has an excessive gap. ![strap](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/9/d/6/9d61593db40f197da7066fb865dfa7beba05ce70.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![aporro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/aporro/32/250128_2.png) [@aporro](https://forum.nachi.org/u/aporro)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-it-5-or-1-5-inches-for-proper-rafter-truss-strap-installation/271971/3 "2026-11-02T23:07:20Z")
Thank you for the clarification. I include 2 pics from Wind Mitigation course/Roof to wall attachment section/Page tittled “Question 6”. The first pic has a description saying “Strap not within 1.5 inches of truss”, I can see the seperation at top of strap but it should say .5 inches, correct? since there is no shimmer/block between Strap and Truss? The second pic description says “Strap within 1.5 inches of truss”, should that also say .5 inches since no block/shimmer is between strap and truss? There is a 3rd one also. So, Im just trying to make sure Im understanding and recognizing the correct information. Thank you. ![STRAP NOT WITHIN 1 POINT 5 INCHES 2026-04-141776204605303-1776204605303](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/6/9/0/690a3af593d82f6fbdaef495a89a966659bb91f7.jpeg) ![STRAP WITHIN 1 POINT 5 INCHES OF TRUSS 2026-04-141776204419814-1776204419814](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/d/2/f/d2fe03fdeaf1dfbae7d40a6770412c52cdc4898e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-it-5-or-1-5-inches-for-proper-rafter-truss-strap-installation/271971/4 "2026-11-02T23:54:55Z")
> [@aporro](#): > > I can see the seperation at top of strap You’re looking at the wrong part, the distance between the metal strap and the truss where the metal strap attaches to the top plate (wood frame) or bond beam (concrete wall) is the part they are interested in learning about. They aren’t telling you the part should be a certain measurement, rather that it NOT be out of range (be installed within a listed dimension). FWIW, You would benefit greatly from an onsite (in-person) Wind Mitigation class. They (insurance industry) presume that the inspector has some rudimentary or general knowledge of the method of construction as it relates to all the items (including these Roof to Wall metal connectors), so they don’t do a “deep dive” on the form with explicit directions. ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-it-5-or-1-5-inches-for-proper-rafter-truss-strap-installation/271971/5 "2026-11-02T23:57:54Z")
When they refer to a “shim”, it’s a wood block, sized no more than the dimensions listed, installed to fill the gap between the connector and the truss/rafter. Here is an example of an installed shim, using 2x stock to achieve the maximum 1.5 inch allowed. It’s an actual field photo, and not the greatest install attempt. ![zz123](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/1/4/4/1442a6b53c15c34f6c89a8b32839055e2e394f47.png) ---
**Author:** ![aporro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/aporro/32/250128_2.png) [@aporro](https://forum.nachi.org/u/aporro)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-it-5-or-1-5-inches-for-proper-rafter-truss-strap-installation/271971/6 "2026-11-03T02:38:28Z")
I totally understand the use of the block and distance allowed if present, I can only hope others don’t get confused as I did when looking at the pics and reading the side notes describing what they are suppose to see in the picture. Thank you very much for taking the time.