Determine which Concrete Anchor/Fastener to use

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What Are You Anchoring or Fastening To?

  • Concrete
    Concrete
  • Brick
    Brick
  • Block
    Block
  • Mortar
    Mortar
What is your base material?
  • Concrete - all the anchors on our site will work in concrete.
  • Brick - all anchors except the wedge anchor and drop-in anchor can be used in brick.
  • Block - all anchors except the wedge anchor and drop-in anchor can be used in block.
  • Mortar - all anchors except the wedge anchor and drop-in anchor can be used in mortar.
How heavy is the object to be fastened?
  • Smaller, lighter weight objects can be fastened using 3/16” and 1/4" diameter fasteners.
  • Medium weight items will require 3/8”, 1/2" or 5/8” diameter fasteners.
  • Heavy objects call for the use of 5/8”, 3/4” or 1” diameter fasteners.

What style anchor is required?

  • Male Type Anchors - A stud-type anchor that is inserted directly into a predrilled hole in the concrete. When dealing with male anchors, hole size is equal to anchor size (with the exception of the Tapcon® screw). No spotting of the hole is required, and oftentimes the hole can be drilled through the fixture and into the base material. No setting tools are required.
  • Female Type Anchors - A female anchor is designed for a bolt to be inserted into them. The female anchor is placed in the concrete hole, and the bolt or screw is then inserted through the fixture into the female anchor. Female type anchors require the spotting of the hole. A setting tool is often required.

 

What types of fasteners work best for various environmental conditions?

  • Indoors: For indoor, dry applications, the standard zinc plated anchors usually offer sufficient rust resistance.
  • Outdoors, Wet: Zinc can be used in wet, outdoor environments, but will rust over time. 303/304, 410 stainless steel and hot-dipped galvanized masonry fasteners will offer greater rust resistance in wet, outdoor environments.
  • Submerged Water: The 303/304 stainless steel should be used in applications where the concrete fastener will be submerged in water, and will provide the highest rust resistance.
  • Submerged Chemicals: The 316 stainless steel anchors offer the best protection against corrosion when being used around chemicals, such as salt water or chlorine around a pool.

 

Use the tables below to choose the best anchor to use for your project. Information is based on appropriateness for the base material.

V = Very suitable   M = May be suitable

 

Type of Material
  Solid Concrete Hollow Concrete Block Grout Filled Block Brick Mortar
Wedge Anchor V   M    
Sleeve Anchor V V V V V
Drop-In Anchor V   M    
Machine Screw Anchor M V M V V
Leadwood Screw Anchor V   V V V
Single Expansion Anchor M M V V V
Double Expansion Anchor M M V V V
 
Type of Material
  Solid Concrete Hollow Concrete Block Grout Filled Block Brick Mortar
Lag Shield Anchor V V M V V
Tapcon® Concrete Screws V V V V V
Nylon Nail-it V   M V V
Metal Hit Anchor V   M M M
Split Drive Anchor V   M    
Strike Anchor V   M    

 

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