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What Nails To Use For Joist Hangers

Should You Nail Or Screw Joist Hangers

DIY Shed AsktheBuilder Joist Hanger Nails and Screws

You can do either. According to Simpson, using their structural screws designed to work specifically with their joist hangers will result in a stronger connection than using standard nails.

Load tables show that the allowable load for a floor when using the screws is somewhere around 30 pounds higher than it is with nails, per connector.

On the other hand, while 30 pounds might not seem insignificant, it also wont likely cause your deck to collapse if you opt to use nails anyway its just not a massive difference.

Therefore, you are perfectly fine to use nails with joist hangers. Since youve spent the money to use joist hangers, there is no reason to spend more on the specialized screws unless you are planning on hosting large amounts of heavy people on your deck regularly.

While joist hangers are a cost, the specialized Simpson SD screws are an even greater cost. Youll need both the 1 ½ screws and the 3 screws. Depending on the size of your deck, youll need several boxes of each, totaling upwards of $200 or more, just for fasteners. Or you could simply buy a couple of boxes of nails for $20 and still be up to code.

Choosing The Right Hanger

Joist hangers are sized by joist depth, and run about 12 inch shorter than the nominal size of the joist . For example, a 2×8 joist hanger is about 6 58 inches tall.

Usually, the hanger size is the same as the joist size, but you can use a hanger that is one dimensional size less than the joist deptha 2×6 hanger can be used with a 2×8 joist, for instance. Keep in mind that the load capacity of the smaller hanger needs to be adequate to support the load on the joist. In the instances I looked at, the load capacities for the shorter hangers exceeded the live, dead, and snow loads required for the deeper joists, provided the joists didnt have large gaps between the ends and the ledger or beam. If you try to buy joist hangers for 2×12 joists, youll find that the common 18-gauge hangers used for deck construction top out at the 2×10 size.

The end joists on a ledger need a hanger just like the rest of the joists, but using a regular joist hanger with out-turned flanges presents a problem: The outside flange extends beyond the ledger. Extending the ledger an extra couple of inches beyond the end of the deck so you have something to nail the flange to is one solution. Others include attaching the joist to the ledger with toenails installing an angle bracket on the inside face of the end joist or smashing the outturned flange of a regular hanger over onto the end of the ledger and nailing it .

Why Are Nails Stronger Than Screws

When deciding between nails and screws, keep in mind that nails are less brittle, so they provide greater shear strength. Screws, on the other hand, may not be as forgiving, but their threaded shafts hold better in wood and draw boards together much more tightly and they have greater tensile strength.

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What Is End Nailing

This is the most basic nailing technique, which is also the weakest. First of all, the end grain of the wood is the weakest, and you should never use this technique when building something you want to stay together.

End nailing is done by hammering a nail or two into the end of a post to attach it to the beam or decking. This type of attachment is typically only done as a temporary hold until it can be strengthened. In other words, you just do not use it in any type of permanent construction.

Other types of nailing, such as toenailing and bond nailing, are sturdier but still not as safe as using joist hangers. When building a deck, wall, flooring, or anything else that has to do with a home or something people will be using, there are laws in place that you have to follow. Most building projects have to include joist hangers to be up to code.

Are Joist Hangers Necessary

How to Install Joist Hangers

No, joist hangers are not necessary. You can get away with toe-nailing and the building inspector wont bat an eye.

However, toe-nailing requires more skill. You can easily erode the structural integrity of a joist with a few wrongly placed toe-nails. If this occurs, youll find yourself having to replace a joist because of a few poorly angled nails.

One of the classic mistakes of rookie toe-nailers is driving too many nails to correct the joists alignment. Too many nails results in a weak joist and a structure that isnt to code.

If you arent sure about your ability to drive a perfect toe-nail every time, opt for joist hangers. Youll have the piece of mind to know that all your joists will align and your entire deck will be stronger.

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Best Corrosion Treatment Of Deck Joist Hanger Fasteners

Corrosion equals life expectancy with fasteners. Decks experiencing the best and the worst of our environment, from sunshine to blizzards and everything in between, are prone to corrode. The joist fasteners must survive all these destructive elements and more. In particular, the treatment of ACQ lumber. All deck joists must be treated to survive, but the treatment is corrosive to metal. So, what is making the joist last longer is destroying the fasteners.

https://www.strongtie.com/solutions/corrosion

There is three standard fastener treatment for ACQ lumber and exterior use. Two are galvanized base, what all the Simpson connectors have in common. The other option is what the USP structural screws are treated with, and most deck screws, polymer finish.

Galvanizing fastener is a process of coating with sacrificial zinc which has ten times the resistance to corrosion as steel. There are two common ways of doing this.

Hot-dip galvanizing is the process of immersing iron or steel in a bath of molten zinc to produce a corrosion resistant, multi-layered coating of zinc-iron alloy and zinc metal. While the steel is immersed in the zinc, a metallurgical reaction occurs between the iron in the steel and the molten zinc.

Mechanically galvanized is a process where the metal is spun in a mixture of zinc powder, chemical promoters and glass beads. The process creates a more uniform coating of zinc on the fasteners, which is important with screws not to damage their threads.

Do Joists Sit On Top Of Beams

One of the most traditional ways to frame without joist hangers is to have the joists rest on top of a beam. Theres nothing wrong with this method, but realize the top of the beam will be at the bottom plane of the floor joists. Its easy to install the hanger so tight you cant get the joist into the hanger.

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How To Use Joist Hangers

Joist hangers are the perfect solution for anchoring decking, flooring and ceilings. These hangers work by connecting three sides of a wooden beam and are secured with nails or screws. Versatile and stronger than conventional fixings, joist hangers are easier to fit and are cost effective when considering the length of time they will support the joist. The fact that they are more versatile and stronger means that when installed properly, these hangers will keep your decking or flooring strong even as the wood dries, shrinks and ages. If you’re not sure what joist hangars are or which ones to choose then to find out.

Dos And Donts For Hanging Joists Sizing Beams And Connecting Columns

The RIGHT fasteners for your Joist Hangers // Deck Shop Shorts

Q: Tim, Ive never worked with metal joist hangers. How long have joist hangers been around? When I hold one in my hand, I question whether its actually strong enough to support all the weight that will be resting in it. Are they safe? Are there any best practices when it comes to using them both indoors and outdoors on decks? What about the beams that joist hangers are attached to? How do you size those correctly? What about the support posts? Lisa K., Hartford, Conn.

A: If youre about to dip your toe in the magic waters of rough framing, I can tell you that its immensely satisfying to transform a pile of lumber into a structure. My customers for years would marvel at how we would put all the different pieces of lumber together to create a deck, room addition or a house. Joist hangers are safe if installed correctly.

Hanging joists is by no means new. You typically need to hang a joist if the top of it needs to be in the same plane as the beam that supports it. There are all sorts of reasons and conditions on jobs where this is necessary.

Ive got an interesting video on my website showing you just one trick Ive used to install joist hangers. The tips are helpful when it comes to solid lumber that might be cupped and for joists that are not always the exact same height.

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The Details On Improper Joist Hanger Nails

Its acceptable to use these shorter nails to fasten the joist hanger directly into the ledgerboard, but most joist hangers also require nails to be driven at a 45-degree angle through the joist and then into the ledgerboard. When short nails are used at the joist they dont make it into the ledgerboard, so no support is added.

The easiest way to determine if short nails were used at this location is to look underneath the joists. In most cases, there will be a few joists that arent butted up tight to the ledgerboard, and the tips of the nails will be visible if the short nails were used:

The other way to tell is to simply pull a nail out. When the right nails are used, theyre really tough to get out. When the wrong ones are used, they come out pretty easily I just use a mini pry-bar that I carry around in my tool pouch to pry a short nail out.

What Size Nails Do I Use For Joist Hangers

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Outdoors use 16d double-dipped galvanized nails for installing hangers. The manufacturers agree: Never use galvanized deck screws or drywall screws to install joist hangers. Those screws don’t have the shank size and toughness to support joist loads.

One may also ask, can you use a framing nailer for joist hangers? NO, Framing nails are not strong enough to be used for installing joist hangers. You need to use approved joist hangernails.

Herein, how do you nail a joist hanger?

Attaching Joists with Hangers

  • Hanger Nails. Use short joist-hanger nails to attach the hanger to a ledger or a single header.
  • Longer nails for the sides. When driving through the sides of the hanger, use longer nails.
  • Make a Scab Guide.
  • Hang the joist with a bent over nail.
  • Attach the hanger.
  • How much weight will a joist hanger support?

    385 pounds

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    When Nailing 26 Inch Joists What Nail Should Be Used

    In a 2×6 joist Id use a total of 8 8d or 10d nails, 4 per side, typically 8d in size or in some cases 10d these are the most-commonly-used nail sizes when toe-nailing 2x framing lumber as unless youre using box nails, larger nails tend to split the lumber, especially when, as in your photo, theyre nailed too close

    What To Do When This Defect Is Found

    How to Install Joist Hangers

    The reason for my update on this blog post is that the largest manufacturer of joist hangers, Simpson Strong-Tie, has put out a letter giving direction on how to correct this particular defect. In short, the fix is to remove the short nails going into the joist and install Simpsons #9×2½ SD Connector screws.

    Click the following link to see the full document: Repair of LUS Joist Hangers Installed with 10dx1-½ Nails. This document also lists the newly calculated load capacities, which I cant imagine myself ever using as a home inspector. I leave that stuff up to the engineers.

    Is this defect a big deal? No, probably not but as you can see, the repair isnt a big deal either. For an average deck, the repair will probably take a $20 box of screws and about an hour of someones time.

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    Screws Are Better For Angle Joist Hanger Fasteners

    For double shear fastening, withdrawal strength matters. Screws make quick work of connecting the joist to the ledger. The additional withdrawal strength compounded with their shear strength. Makes an unbeatable combination.

    Making the best deck joist hanger connection for strength is #101-1/2 x 0.148 Hot Dip Galvanized nails for the hanger face connection to the ledger or beam and SD CONNECTOR Screw #10 x 2-1/2 for the angle connections.

    What Screws To Use For Decking Joists

    Most are 8-gauge and, while 2 1/2 inches is the minimum length needed to hold boards to the joists, 3-inch screws are commonly used to provide extra holding power against the upward pressure of shrinking or warping boards. Specialty materials have different requirements.

    Is a joist hanger stronger than nailing?

    According to McEntee, A joist hanger or hurricane tie connector will provide a stronger and more reliable connection than toe-nails.

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    Can You Use Roofing Nails For Joist Hangers

    hangernailyou can usejoist hangerjoist hanger nailsnailscanjoist hangersusenailsroofing nails

    . Also question is, what nails do I use for joist hangers?

    For interior framing, that means using only the thicker 10d, 12d or 16d common nails to fasten a joist hanger’s face flange to wall ledgers, headers and beams. Outdoors use 16d double-dipped galvanized nails for installing hangers.

    Similarly, is a joist hanger stronger than nailing? According to McEntee, A joist hanger or hurricane tie connector will provide a stronger and more reliable connection than toe-nails.

    Also Know, can you use a nail gun for joist hangers?

    Metal fastener gun: Several maufacturers make guns just for joist hangers and brackets. They have a guide point tip to align the gun with the hole and then you can shoot the joist hanger nail into it. 2.) Palm nailer: inexpensive choice.

    Do I need joist hangers?

    You don’t need joist hangers if you’re not attaching to a structure and hanging joists off a ledger or if you don’t have a flush beam. Deck screws have very little shear strength – they should NEVER be used to connect joists in any way shape or form.

    55 pounds385 pounds

    Estervina Feldman

    What Size Is A 10d Common Nail

    Easy way to Put On Joist Hangers Fast DIY

    For years, the building code defined a 10d common nail as 0.148 inches in diameter and 3 inches long, and that definition occurred in one location in the code. In the shear panel table of the code, Figure 1, International Building Code , the minimum penetration was listed for each of the nail specifications.

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    Figure A: Standard Joist Hanger

    family handyman

    This standard 2×8 joist hanger will keep your joists solidly and permanently connected. The double shear hanger in Photo 4 is another common type. Selecting the correct joist hangers and hanging them is pretty straightforward. Well show you a four-step method for installing joist hangers that will ensure that your floor or deck stays flat and strongand meets the requirements of your building inspector and the joist hanger manufacturer.

    Joist hangers come in many sizes to support different dimensional sizes of lumber and I-joists. The beam hangers youll find at home centers typically have a galvanized coating and will work indoors and out. Most homeowners will use the common face-mounting type , but specialized hangers are available for unusual situations, such as building in a corrosive salt-air environment or joists that run at an angle.

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    The Most Common Problem With Joist Hangers

    Many years ago I took a class put on by one of the largest manufacturers of metal brackets, Simpson Strong-Tie. That class was a real eye opener – I realized afterwards that just about every deck that I inspect is constructed wrong. Not all of the installation defects are major, but they’re always worth pointing out. Today I’ll talk about one of the most common installation defects that I find with joist hangers on Minnesota decks – improper nails.

    You thought I was going to say missing nails, didn’t you? Too easy, too obvious.

    Wrong Nails If the wrong nails are used at a joist hanger, it won’t perform as intended. To know what nails are supposed to be used, you first need to know what joist hanger you’re working with. The most common joist hanger I find on decks is a LUS28*. This joist hanger can be used with 2×8 and 2×10 joists. Now that I know which hanger I’m using, I can go to the Simpson Strong-Tie web site to find out what fasteners are specified. To see the full page I’m looking at, click here.

    As you can see, this hanger requires 6-10d nails + 4-10d nails. The big defect that I often find is that 10d x 1 1/2″ nails are used in place of 10d nails. If you look down on the far right column of the above chart, you’ll notice only a few hangers will allow a 10d x 1 1/2 nail. So what’s the difference between the two? Quite a bit. The photo below shows the two next to each other.

    Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections – – Minnesota Deck Inspector

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