Fasteners & Connectors
What holds a building together is as important as the materials themselves.
Fasteners
- Nails — framing and finish work.
- Screws — wood, drywall, and structural screws.
- Bolts — heavier structural connections.
- Anchors — fastening into concrete and masonry.
Structural connectors
Metal connectors that strengthen critical joints:
- Joist hangers, hurricane ties/straps, and post bases.
The right fastener for the load and material matters — and structural connections are often specified by the engineer and required by code. Using the wrong fastener can fail.
Going Deeper (Intermediate)
The right fastener for the job: nails (common, box, finish; sized by the penny "d" system — 16d = 3½″), screws (wood, deck, drywall, structural), bolts, concrete anchors, and structural connectors (joist hangers, hurricane ties, holdowns — e.g., Simpson).
Advanced / Pro-Level
Fasteners are an engineered part of the structure:
- Connectors create the "continuous load path" that ties roof-to-wall-to-foundation against wind uplift and seismic/shear — hurricane ties and holdowns are code-required in many areas.
- Follow the nailing schedule / fastening schedule in the code and drawings (pattern, size, spacing) — it's not optional.
- Corrosion compatibility: PT lumber (ACQ) needs hot-dip galvanized or stainless; coastal/exterior needs corrosion-rated.
- Concrete anchors (wedge, sleeve, epoxy) are chosen by load and base material; structural screws (SDS) replace many lag/bolt applications.
Practice Challenge
Why does code specify hurricane ties connecting the rafters to the top plate in high-wind areas? (Answer: they maintain the continuous load path that resists wind uplift — without them, wind can peel the roof off the walls; connectors transfer those uplift/lateral loads through the structure to the foundation, which plain end-nailing can't.)
In Practice
A deck ledger attached with the wrong screws — or just nails — can pull loose and collapse. That's exactly why code specifies the fasteners and connectors for structural connections.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong fastener for the load or material
- Skipping engineer- or code-specified connectors
- Using non-galvanized fasteners outdoors, where they rust
Takeaway: Use the right fastener for the load and material; structural connectors (hangers, straps) are often code- and engineer-specified.
Educational overview — specific grades, sizing, and structural uses come from the building code and the project's engineer and specifications.