The Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5AZ Hurricane Tie is a single-sided wood connector made for securing a rafter or truss to the top plate. This is a hurricane tie designed for rafter or truss-to-top-plate fastening in wood framing. Model Number: H2.5AZ. If you are building in high-wind areas, tightening up a roof framing load path, or just following code on new framing and repairs, this connector is built to handle moderate uplift and lateral loads without overcomplicating the install.

What matters here is not just that it is 18-gauge steel, but how that translates on the job. The H2.5AZ is compact at 1-3/8 inches wide and 6 inches long, so it fits common framing layouts without taking over the connection. Simpson also uses embossments in the bend line to stiffen the connector where stress concentrates. That means the tie is not just a flat piece of bent metal. It is engineered to hold shape and reinforce the connection where the rafter or truss meets the plate.

The symmetrical design is one of the better practical details on this tie. You do not need separate left-hand and right-hand parts, which cuts down on ordering mistakes and saves time when you are pulling connectors out of the box on site. That kind of detail sounds small until you are on a roof or framing wall lines and do not want to stop because the wrong handed connector showed up.

The ZMAX coating is the reason many buyers step up to this version. Simpson rates it for extra corrosion resistance in exterior and treated-wood applications, so it is a better fit where moisture and preservative-treated lumber can be hard on hardware. For decks, exposed framing, or general exterior work, that finish matters because connector life is part of structural performance, not just appearance.

Installation is also more straightforward than on many small framing connectors. The top flange includes an arrow line indicator to help with correct placement, which is useful when crews are moving fast and repeating the same connection all day. Simpson specifically notes that all specified fasteners should be used, and that hurricane ties do not replace solid blocking. That is worth saying clearly because this part is one piece of the load path, not the whole solution by itself.

For fastener choices, published installation guidance calls for either ten 0.131 inch by 2-1/2 inch nails or ten #9 by 1-1/2 inch Strong-Drive SD screws. That gives you flexibility depending on your workflow and inspection requirements. If you are working around plated trusses, Simpson also warns not to fasten through the truss plate from behind on the opposite side, because that can force the truss plate off and compromise performance.

This connector is best suited for framers, roofers, deck builders, remodelers, and inspectors looking for a known, code-oriented rafter tie for wood-to-wood connections. It is not flashy hardware, but it is exactly the kind of part that keeps a framing package correct, repeatable, and ready for real wind load demands. If the job calls for a compact hurricane tie with better corrosion resistance than standard galvanized, this is the right lane for it.

Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5AZ Hurricane Tie is the right pick when you want a simple connector that inspectors know and framers can install fast

This is one of those small structural parts that does not get attention until the plans, the code book, or the weather say it should.

• Who it's for: Framers, deck builders, and remodelers handling wood roof or wall framing where rafter or truss hold-down at the top plate matters.
• Why it stands out: You get the no-nonsense H2.5A geometry, a symmetrical left-or-right design, and the added corrosion resistance of ZMAX for tougher exterior conditions.
• Worth knowing: It is a connector, not a shortcut. Use the specified fasteners, and do not treat it as a replacement for proper blocking or full load-path detailing.

• Is this tie handed for left or right installation? No. The symmetrical design eliminates separate right and left parts.
• What type of connection is it made for? It is designed for wood-to-wood rafter or truss-to-top-plate connections.
• What finish does the H2.5AZ use? This version uses a ZMAX finish for extra corrosion resistance, especially in exterior and treated-wood applications.