Helpful Do-It-Yourself Articles from our Concrete Fastener Specialists
The experts at Concrete Fasteners have top-notch expertise in industrial and residential concrete applications. Home improvement and anchoring projects can quickly and easily be completed by doing research and using high quality concrete fasteners. The articles below offer helpful information and step by step instruction on how to complete a number of home improvements. Learn how to anchor a flat TV to a brick fireplace, how to securely fasten furring strips to renovate a room, and much more. Take a look at the articles below for more Do-It-Yourself project information.
How to Tell the Best from the Rest
When people have a need for concrete fasteners, Concrete Fasteners is an ideal source. We carry huge quantities of high quality, American made, ThunderStud brand wedge anchors and Tapcon brand concrete screws and a variety of other concrete anchors...
Fine Points on Selecting and Installing Wedge Anchors
Wedge anchors are widely used for securing all sorts of things to concrete. Available from numerous manufacturers, they all operate on a common principle and are simple and easy to use...
How to Fasten Furring Strips to Concrete, Brick or Block
One major aspect of renovating or adding space to one's home is the need or desire to cover brick, concrete, or block walls. This will improve the look and feel of the space as well as prepare it for further decorating and intended uses...
How to Anchor a Flat TV to a Brick Fireplace
It seems like everyone has a modern flat screen TV these days. Whether mounted on a wall, displayed on a TV stand or installed above a fireplace, these televisions can add real ambiance and décor to any room in your home...
How to Attach Sill Plates to Concrete Foundations
Large projects such as home additions, new garages or adding a patio can also be completed without hiring a professional. When building a new structure, it is critical to securely fasten it to the foundation or slab with the use of a sill plate...
How to Anchor Pallet Racks to Concrete
In today's industrial settings, warehouses must be able to store a large amount of inventory. A major concern is storing this inventory using a cost-effective and safe method. A pallet rack, or pallet racking, is designed to better utilize floor space...
Concrete Wedge Anchors & Their Many Uses
"Wedge anchor" is a generic term for a type of anchor used to fasten a variety of materials to concrete. Some companies have different brand names for their wedge anchors such as Kwik Bolt, Power Stud...
Concrete Screws, Uses & Important Information
Every home improvement and construction project requires different types of equipment, tools and precautionary measures. It is important to use the correct type of concrete screw...
How to Anchor Concrete Fasteners to a Block Wall
In many construction applications, concrete anchors must be fastened to a concrete block to hold a fixture or item of some kind. When installing these concrete anchors, special care must be taken to ensure safe and proper fastening...
Concrete Anchors That Should Only Be Used in Solid Concrete
The terms "concrete anchor" and "concrete fastener" are generally used interchangeably although by defnition, they are not the same. A concrete anchor will work better in some applications while at other times, concrete fasteners should be used to complete the job. Before starting any project...
Using Tapcons & Hammer Drive Anchors to Install Conduit
When fastening a conduit strap to a concrete, brick or block wall- it is necessary to use a concrete anchor or fastener to ensure a safe installation. The most commonly used fasteners for this application are Tapcon® concrete screws and hammer drive anchors. Although any type...
Using Tapcons & Split Drive Anchors to Attach Wood Flooring to Concrete
It is still possible to enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors with a concrete slab home. When fastening the sub-floor of a wood flooring system
to a concrete slab, one simple option is the use of a concrete fastener. There are a number of different concrete fasteners that can be used for...
The Tapcon® Concrete Screw
Tapcon® is a popular brand name for concrete screws. The Tapcon® was patented in 1976 by ITW Buildex. Tapcons are the first and original screws designed to tap threads into concrete, brick or block base material....
How to Drill a Hole in Concrete
Drilling a hole in concrete is a common activity for professional contractors as well as Do-It-Yourselfers and is one that needs to be done correctly and safely. There are a couple of situations when a hole would need to be drilled in concrete. These situations include...
Fastening Electrical Junction Boxes to Concrete, Brick or Block
Electrical junction boxes are metal or plastic enclosures in which electric wires meet and join together. The most common junction boxes measure 2-1/2” to 3-1/2” deep and are used according to the number of wires being joined..
How to Fasten a Winch to Concrete
A winch is a stationary mechanical device which is either hand powered or machine powered and is used to wind up (pull) or wind out (let out) a cable or rope. In order to work properly, a winch must be fastened down securely to a base material. If a winch needs to be fastened to concrete...
How to Fasten Door Frames to Concrete, Brick or Block
When placing a door in an opening, these doors must be fastened to the base material that is present in this location. Most frequently, this material will be concrete, brick or block and will require the use of special concrete fasteners. Door frames may range...
How to Fasten Light Fixtures to Concrete
Light fixtures sometimes need to be fastened to concrete in both outdoor and indoor applications. Installation may be needed in a home or commercial building. The weight of the light fixture will determine the diameter of concrete anchor that needs to be used. The configuration...
How to Fasten Light Fixtures to Brick
Sometimes a light fixture needs to be fastened to a brick wall in an indoor or outdoor application. There are three basic considerations that need to be taken into account before attempting to fasten a lighting fixture to brick. These include: the weight of the fixture, the mounting plate...
Definitions for Concrete Fastener Terminology
When working with concrete fasteners and anchors, it is important to understand the terminology used. Understanding the terms used in the installation of these anchors will help you correctly and safely install the concrete fasteners...
Concrete and Masonry Fasteners
Concrete, brick and block have special fasteners that are used for fastening items or fixtures to each base material. All the different types of fasteners that are designed for use in concrete and masonry are simple to use and easy to work with...
Information About Fastening to Concrete
Concrete fastening is the process of fastening an object to concrete, brick or block base material. The type of fastener that should be used in any specific application and the drilling of the hole in the concrete are both important aspects of concrete fastening...
How to Remove Concrete Fasteners
Concrete fasteners are designed to remain fixed in base material once they are set. Concrete and masonry fasteners are unique. They are placed into a drilled hole in concrete, brick or block. Once set, it is not possible to remove them without damaging the base...
How to Fasten a Bench to Concrete, Brick or Block Base Material
When a bench must be fastened to concrete, brick or block, there are a number of different considerations to take into accoount before starting the job. These critical decision include: selection of the proper type of anchor, anchor material as well as the diameter...
How to Install Hilti® Kwik-Bolts
Hilti® Kwik-bolts is the brand name for the Hilti Corporation wedge anchor. The Kwik-bolt has been in existence for many years and has gone through a number of changes. The Kwik-bolt that Hilti currently sells is called the Kwik-bolt 3. The Kwik-bolt 2...
How to Use Tapcon® Concrete Screws Effectively
Concrete screws are a generic name for a specially manufactured screw that taps threads into concrete, brick or block. The threads are hardened to allow the threads to cut the base material. The threads are created with a special design...
How to Install a Wedge-All®
The Wedge-All® wedge anchor is manufactured by the Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. and is a non-bottom bearing, wedge type expansion anchor that can only be used in solid concrete base material. The wedge-all® has a one piece clip that gives...
How to Install a Wedge Anchor
Wedge anchor is the description for a concrete anchor that is a one piece, non bottom bearing concrete anchor that is threaded on one end and has a steel clip at the other end. They are packaged with a corresponding number of nuts and washers and are designed for use...
How to Install a Hilti Kwik Bolt 3
The brand name of the Hilti, Inc. wedge anchor is the Hilti Kwik Bolt 3. The Kwik Bolt 3 is the most current version of the Kwik Bolt that is sold by Hilti. The Kwik Bolt 3 should not be used in brick or block base material because it is designed for use in solid concrete only. The Kwik Bolt 3 is...
How to Install a Hilti Kwik Bolt 2
The brand name for the Hilti, Inc. wedge anchor is the Hilti Kwik Bolt 2. The Kwik Bolt 2 is not a standard item for Hilti, Inc. and must be ordered through their Special Order Department. The Kwik Bolt 3 is the standard wedge anchor design that is currently manufactured and stocked by...
How to Install a Hilti Kwik Bolt TZ
Hilti Kwik Bolt TZ is the brand name used by Hilti, Inc. for a wedge anchor designed to resist static, wind and seismic shear as well as tension loading applications in uncracked and cracked normal weight concrete. The Kwik Bolt TZ of KB-TZ is a mechanical type expansion anchor that is...
How to Install a Hilti Kwik-Con II+
The Hilti Kwik-Con II+ is the brand name for the Hilti, Inc. concrete screw. It is one part of a concrete fastening system that also includes the Kwik-Con II+ drive tool and the TKC and TKB, which are matched tolerance carbide bits. These three items must be used together for maximum...
How to Install a Hilti Metal Hit Anchor
The Hilti metal hit anchor is the name for its drive-in type expansion anchor. The generic name for this type of anchor is the hammer drive anchor. The metal hit anchor is made of zinc plated or stainless steel. The drive nail that comes with the anchor body is made from an aluminum/zinc alloy...
Lag Shields for Attaching a Hand Rail to Brick
A lag shield is a type of concrete anchor that is used in a variety of base materials including concrete, brick and block. A standard lag screw is used to expand the lag shield anchor once it is placed in the hole in the base material. The length of the lag shield is designated as either short or long..
Large Diameter Tapcons
Large diameter Tapcons received their name based on their size. These Tapcons are larger in diameter than the standard Tapcon®. Large diamater Tapcons are manufactured by ITW Red Head, which is the same manufacturer that produces the standard blue Tapcon®...
How to Fasten a Light Fixture to Concrete Using a Wedge Anchor
In numerous applications, a light fixture will need to be attached to concrete. The use of a wedge anchor is suitable for this type of application. Wedge anchors are designed for use in solid concrete and have the highest, most consistent holding values of any mechanical type...
How to Fasten a Sign to Concrete Using Tapcons
Tapcon® screws can be used when you need to fasten/attach a sign to concrete. Tapcons are designed for use in concrete and are manufactured with a hex washer head that is perfect for attaching signs to concrete. The size of the hole that needs to be drilled in the concrete...
How to Install a Hilti HLC Sleeve Anchor
Sleeve anchors are designed for fastening items to concrete, brick or block base material. The HLC sleeve anchor is the brand name of the sleeve anchor that is manufactured by Hilti, Incorporated. Sleeve anchors are one of the most versatile concrete fasteners because they can be used...
How to Install a Hilti HDI Drop-in Anchor
The Hilti Drop-In, referred to as an HDI, is an anchor manufactured and sold by Hilti, Inc. The Hilti drop-in anchor is a female anchor which in an internally threaded, flush mounted expansion anchor designed for use in solid concrete only. The standard HDI is made from carbon steel and...
How to Install a Hilti HDI-L Drop-in Anchor
The Hilti HDI-L drop-in anchor is a drop-in anchor that has a lip around the threaded end of the anchor. The HDI-L anchor is manufactured by Hilti, Inc. and comes in five different diameters that refer to the inside (or the threaded part) of the anchor. The inside diameters range from...
How to Install a Hilti HDI-P Drop-in Anchor
The Hilti HDI-P drop-in anchor is a female anchor sold by Hilti, Inc. and is designed for use in concrete. It should not be used in applications where the base material is brick or block. The HDI-P is manufactured from mild cardon steel and is protected by corrosion with zinc plating in accordance...
How to Install Trubolt® Wedge Anchors
Trubolt® is the brande name for the wedge anchor manufactured by ITW/Red Head and is commonly referred to as a Red Head or Red Head anchor. Various types of Red Head anchors have been manufactured since 1910 with a significant amount of brand recognition. The Trubolt® is ...
How to Install a Red Head Wedge Anchor
Red Head anchors are the brand name of the concrete wedge anchor that is manufactured by ITW/Red Head. Red Head wedge anchors are designed for use in solid concrete and should not be used in brick, block or other lightweight porous base materials. The Red Head wedge anchor body...
How to Install Red Head Dynabolt Sleeve Anchors
Dynabolt is the brand name for the sleeve anchor manufactured by ITW/Red Head. The Dynabolt is a sleeve type anchor that is specified for anchoring into concrete, hollow concrete block, grout-filled concrete block and brick base materials. Other sleeve anchors are available and work under the...
How to Install Multi-set Coil Threaded Drop-in Anchors
The coil threaded multi-set drop-in anchor is designed specifically for use with coil-threaded rod, commonly used in bridge forming construction. The threaded version of the multi-set drop-in anchor differ from the standard multi-set drop-in by the threads that the anchor will accept...
How to Install Red Head Multi-set RL Drop-in Anchors
Red Head manufactures and sells the Multi-set, which is a drop-in anchor. One of the Multi-set drop-in anchor styles is called the RL. The mulit-set drop-in anchor is an internally threaded anchor designed for use in solid concrete and is manufactured without a lip. It can be used...
How to Install Red Head Multi-set RM Drop-in Anchors
Multi-set is the brand name for the ITW/Red Head's drop-in anchor that is designed for use in concrete. The multi-set RM drop-in anchor is a shell type anchor with internal threads from from steel with an expander cone inserted permanently inside the anchor body. The RM style...
Simpson Anchors - Mechanical Anchors
Mechanical anchors offered by Simpson Strong-Tie, Inc. are sold under the name of Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Systems® and can be found at www.simpsonanchors.com. Simpson Anchor Systems offer a wide variety and assortment of mechanical anchors that range...
Simpson Anchors - SMSA Machine Screw Anchors
Simpson Strong-Tie Inc.'s concrete anchor division is known as Strong-Tie Anchor Systems® and their single machine screw anchor is named SMSA. The generic name for this concrete anchor is the single expansion anchor. The SMSA machine screw anchor has a single plug that expands the...
Simpson Split Drive Anchors
Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Systems® split drive anchors are a one piece anchor that has a mushroom head (MSD), countersunk head (CSD) or the duplex head (DSD) at one end. The opposite end of the head is split to allow for expansion once the split drive anchor...
Simpson Double Machine Screw Anchors (DMSA)
Simpson Strong-Tie, Inc. has a division that sells concrete anchors called Simpson Anchor Systems®. Their double expansion anchor is sold as the DMSA machine screw anchor - an acronym for double machine screw anchor. The DMSA has an expanding cone at each....
Simpson Easy-Set Pin Drive Expansion Anchors
Easy-Set is the name Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Systems® calls their medium to heavy-duty pin drive anchor. The pin drive anchor is also referred to as a nail anchor or a strike anchor. The Easy-Set pin drive expansion anchor’s body is made from hot-rolled steel...
Simpson Expansion Screw Anchors
ESA expansion screw anchor or more commonly called a machine screw anchor is the internally threaded fasteners designed for use in concrete, brick or block. ESA stands for expansion screw
anchor and is sold by Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Systems®...
Simpson Zinc Plated Wedge-All® Anchors
The zinc plated Wedge-All® is Simpson Strong-Tie's name for its wedge anchor that is manufactured from carbon steel and is zinc plated. The two versions of the zinc plated Wedge-All® wedge anchor are the threaded version and the tie-wire. The threaded version...
Simpson Drop-in Anchors
Drop-in anchors have internal threads and an expansion of the anchor called deformation-controlled. The drop-in anchor is considered a shell anchor because it is expanded from the inside out using the expander plug and a setting tool. Simpson Strong-Tie Anchors Systems...
Simpson Hex Sleeve Anchors
The Sleeve-All® is the brand name given by Simpson Strong-Tie for its sleeve anchor. The sleeve anchor is an expansion anchor that utilizes an expanding sleeve, comes preassembled and works well in many different types of base materials such as concrete, brick or...
Simpson Lipped Drop-in Anchors
The lipped drop-in anchor is a drop-in anchor that has a lip around the anchor body at the internally threaded end. The lip allows for the drop-in anchor to be set flush with the surface of the concrete without having to precisely drill the depth of each hole. The flush mounting of the lipped...
Simpson Acorn Sleeve Anchors
The acorn head Sleeve-All® sleeve anchor is Simpson Strong-Tie's name for their sleeve anchor that is manufactured with an acorn nut in place of the standard hex nut. The acorn nut gives this anchor a finished look and is versatile because it can be used...
Simpson Flat Sleeve Anchors
Flat headed Sleeve-All® anchors are manufactured by Simpson Strong-Tie and are sleeve anchors with a flat phillips countersunk head. This flat head sleeve anchor are used in applications where the head of the fastener needs to be countersunk and flush with the surface...
Simpson Round Sleeve Anchors
The Simpson Anchors' round headed sleeve anchor is called the round Sleeve-All®. This round headed sleeve anchor has a slot on the head to allow a slotted screwdriver to be used to set the sleeve anchor into the base material. The round headed sleeve anchor...
Stainless Steel Titen® Screws
Simpson Anchor Systems, a division of Simpson Strong-Tie, now has a new stainless steel anchor called the Titen® concrete screw. The stainless steel concrete and masonry screw work well when corrosion may be a concern. The Titen® screw is suitable for use...
Stainless Steel Wedge-All® Anchors
The stainless steel Wedge-All® sold by Simpson Strong Tie is the brand name for their wedge anchor made of stainless steel. It can be purchased in two grades of stainless steel- 304 and 316. This wedge anchor should not be installed in brick or block because...
Galvanized Wedge-All® Anchors
The mechanically galvanized Wedge-All® is Simpson Strong-Tie's name for their wedge anchor that is made of carbon steel and is mechanical galvanized. These anchors are to be used in solid concrete only. They should not be used in brick or block base materials...
Block Anchors
Block anchors are concrete fasteners that are designed to fasten an object to block used in the construction of homes and buildings. The concrete block is commonly called a concrete masonry unit or CMU. The typical block using in construction has large hollow cores. The hollow cores...
Simpson Titen HD® Anchors
Simpson Strong-Tie’s Anchor Systems® Titen HD® is a patented concrete and masonry screw anchor that has excellent holding values in cracked and uncracked concrete. The performance of the Titen HD® heavy duty screw anchor is outstanding under both...
Simpson Coil Drop-in Anchors
The coil threaded drop-in anchor (DIAC) brand is a drop-in anchor manufactured and sold by Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Systems that has internal coil threads instead of the national coarse threads in the standard drop-in anchor. Coil threads are large threads...
Titen® Concrete Screws
The brand name used by Simpson Anchor Systems for their concrete and masonry screw is the Titen®. This concrete screw is manufactured to fasten a wide variety of items to concrete, brick or block base materials. Titen® screws should be used in dry, non-corrosive environments...
Mechanical Anchors & Fasteners
Power Fasteners offers a wide variety of mechanical anchors and fasteners for use in many different applications and base materials. Learn more about these concrete anchors by reading the brief description of all of the anchors below...
Concrete Screws at Home Depot
Home Depot carries Tapcons for those customers who need several of the most common size, which are usually in stock. However, these customers will pay a premium price. Concrete screws are located in the aisle with the other fasteners such as nuts, bolts...
Masonry Screw Anchors
Masonry screw anchors are screws that tap threads into a pre-drilled hole in masonry. The common name for these screws are Tapcons. Masonry screws manufactured by ITW Redhead are made in America...
Stainless Steel Tapcons
Stainless steel Tapcons are made made 410 stainless steel and are coated with a Climaseal® coating. Stainless steel Tapcons are used in applications where rust resistance is important. They are more rust resistant than the standard blue Tapcon®. The stainless steel...
Masonry Screws
Masonry screws are screws that tap threads into a pre-drilled hole in masonry. Masonry can be solid concrete, brick or block base material. The name brand most commonly associated with masonry screws is Tapcon®. The Tapcon® masonry screw was developed...
Concrete Screws for Brick Base Material
A concrete brick screw is designed for use in solid concrete, brick or block base material and can be used in the mortar joints between brick and block. The threads of the screw are hardened to allow them to cut threads into the base material. Concrete brick screws...
Concrete Block Screws
Concrete block screws can be used in block base material or the mortar joint. These screws require that a pilot hole be drilled first and then as the screw is inserted into the hole, threads are tapped into the block. The holding values of a concrete block screw is dependent...
Tapcon® Technical Data
Tapcon® technical data includes minimum embedment, maxiumum embedment, hole depth, screw diameters, hole diameter, screw length, head style, coatings and holding values. Because Tapcon® is a brand name, this information applies only to the Tapcon® brand...
Concrete Masonry Screws
Concrete masonry screws can be used in a variety of different base materials such as solid concretee, lightweight concrete, bricks, blocks and mortar joints. The concrete masonry screw is versatile since it is available in smaller diameters...
Brick Anchors
Brick anchors are fasteners that attach an item to brick or a mortar joint in a brick wall. Brick anchors are different than concrete fasteners since the base material of brick is most commonly found with a hollow space, while concrete is solid. The hollow space...
Brick Screws
The brand name of the screw that is desgined to tap threads into brick is called a Tapcon® brick screw. Other comapnies have screws that will tap threads into brick but Tapcons are the original and are made in the US...
Tapcon® Drill Bits
Tapcon® drill bits are carbide bits that are used for drilling a hole into base materials such as concrete, brick or block. Tapcon® drill bits come in packages of 100 Tapcons and have a tanged end at the opposite of the carbide tip. This tanged end allows for...
Tapcon® Sizes
There are three size variables to consider when purchasing Tapcons: diameter, length and head style. There are a total of 27 different blue Tapcon® styles. Large diameter Tapcons come in 17 different styles. The standard Tapcon® sizes ..
Large Diameter Tapcon® Bits
Large Diameter Tapcons, unlike standard blue Tapcons, do not include a drill bit when purchased. The bit that can be used for the Large Diameter Tapcon® is more expensive and the variety of hammer drills that can be used to drill the hole for...