Stability is an issue for continuous ridge vents on buildings in areas where wind shear and seismic activity exist. A one-of-a-kind solution has been developed by Garwood Manufacturing, Inc. Shear-X is a 33-mil steel brace that easily installs on the ridge line of any type of roof: asphalt, shingle, metal or tile, and provides continuous load transfer across the ridge. It can be used on both flat and pitched roofs 1:12 to 20:12, on roof rafters 16 and 24 inches on center. The Shear-X allows the use of continuous ridge vents in blocked or unblocked diaphragms. Garwood also makes compatible Shear-X RidgeVent.
The Shear-X will debut at the 2016 Frame Building Expo in Indianapolis, March 8-11.