The Lowe’s screws designed for use in concrete are the Tapcon® brand concrete screws
made by ITW/Redhead that are manufactured in the United States. The
same Lowe’s screws can be purchased from us at a much lower price and
will be shipped the same day. A Tapcon® bit comes in each box of one hundred box of Tapcon® concrete screws as well.
Applications for Lowe’s Screws
Lowe’s concrete screws can be used in a variety of base
materials such as concrete, brick or block. These screws are for light
duty applications. The standard blue Lowe’s screws can be used in indoor
applications and the stainless steel for outdoor applications.
Why Buy Lowe’s Screws
If you are at a Lowe’s store and you need a screw that will
fasten items to concrete then purchasing the Lowe’s screws is the best
option. If you are working on a project and have a need for the
concrete screw required for the application then purchasing Lowe’s
screws is also the best option. Lowe’s screws are convenient, but the
cost per item is very high. Not all sizes of the Tapcon® are stocked in
the store or sold by Lowe’s.
Buying Lowe’s Screws at Concretefasteners.com
If a project using concrete screws is coming up and there is time to plan, buying the Tapcon® concrete screws at www.concretefasteners.com
will save you as much as 30% to 50%. Contractors who use the Lowe’s
Tapcon® screws on a regular basis should start buying them on line, or
stock up and save even more. It will make your life simpler by having
the item you need ready to use on any application that may come up.
Screws Diameters
The concrete screws come in two diameters of 3/16” and 1/4”.
The different diameters are used in different applications depending on:
1) the holding value required 2) the hole in the fixture being attached
to the base material. The 1/4” diameter screw has better holding
values both in tension and shear than the 3/16” diameter. If the
fixture being fastened has a predrilled hole then the diameter of screw
that fits through the hole should be the diameter used for that
particular application.
Length of Screws
The thickness of the material being fastened determines the
length of screw to use in any particular application. The Lowe’s screw
must penetrate the base material a minimum of 1’ and a maximum of
1-3/4”. To determine the length of screw to use, add the thickness of
the material being fastened to the minimum embedment depth of 1” for the
minimum length screw to use. Adding the thickness of the material
being fastened to the maximum embedment of 1-3/4” will give you the
maximum length of screw to use.
Diameter of Hole
Each diameter of screw requires a specific diameter of hole to be
drilled for the Lowe’s screws to obtain the desired holding values.
The hole must be drilled using a carbide tipped bit that meets ANSI
standards and must be used in a hammer type drill. The 3/16”
diameterscrew needs a 5/32” diameter hole, and the 1/4” diameter screw
needs a 3/16” diameter hole.
Depth of Hole
In order for the Lowe’s screws to be installed correctly, the
hole must be drilled a minimum of 1/4” deeper than the screw will
penetrate the base material. This extra space at the bottom of the hole
is designed to allow the dust created during the tapping process of the
base material to fall out of the way of the final installation. If the
extra space is not left during the drilling process then the screw may
bottom out in the hole, creating a situation that does not allow the
screw to be properly set.
Head Styles
There are two different head styles available in these concrete
screws: the hex slotted washer head and the flat phillips countersunk
head. The hex slotted washer head style screws are used in
applications where the fixture allows for the head to be above the
surface of the fixture and where extra bearing surface is needed. The
flat phillips countersunk screw are used in applications where the head
of the screw must be below the surface of the fixture being fastened.
Drivers for Lowe’s Screws
Each head style requires a different size and type of driver to
successfully install the Lowe’s screw. The hex slotted washer head
utilizes a nut driver, the 3/16” diameter needs a 1/4” diameter nut
driver and the 1/4” needs a 5/16” diameter nut driver. The flat
countersunk phillips utilizes a phillips driver, the 3/16” diameter
needs a #2 phillips driver and the 1/4” needs a #3 phillips driver.
Installation of Lowe’s Screws
1. Using a hammer drill and carbide tipped bit that meets ANSI
standards, drill a hole in the base material the correct diameter for
the concrete screw being installed.
2. With a wire brush, compressed air or vacuum clean out the hole
of all the dust and debris created during the drilling process.
3. Insert the screw into the hole in the base material, turning
clockwise by hand or with a drill, pushing lightly to allow the threads
to tap the base material.
4. Tighten the concrete screw until the head of the screw is tight against the surface of the fixture.
As with any anchoring project, it is important to keep safety in mind and follow instructions carefully. Always remember to wear safety goggles, handle all tools with extra care and follow all technical specifications. This article is meant to serve only as a basic explanation of concrete fasteners. Always refer to manufacturer's instructions or consult a contracting expert during any anchoring project.
Article Written By:
Bob Carlisle, President of Concrete Fasteners
Concrete Fasteners, Inc. has over 40 years of experience selling concrete fasteners. We can ship out one box or a whole pallet of concrete anchors. Our products are of the highest quality... "your satisfaction is guaranteed". We ship all orders the same day the order is received.