Every machinery, component or object in the construction industry needs to be connected in a non-permanent way. This is where fasteners, whether made from alloy steel, silicon bronze, aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel, come in handy. Some of the materials held together using construction fasteners include connecting wood to steel or attaching two pieces of wood.
When undertaking a construction project, you first need to determine the construction fastener to purchase that can firmly hold the construction materials. And to help you with your decision-making process, here's a guide on popular types of construction fasteners to consider. With this in mind, you will know which construction fastener best suits your construction needs.
What are construction fasteners?
Before you start shopping for construction fasteners on this website , you need to first understand what these tools are. Construction fasteners refer to a wide range of tools used to mechanically join two objects in place. As construction fasteners come in a wide range of options, there are several factors you need to know which is the best choice, and these include;
- The accessibility of the area
- Fastener reuse
- The weight of the materials
- The type of materials joined
- The surrounding environment, e.g. exposure to wind, water and prevailing temperatures
Joints created with construction fasteners are not permanent. This means you can remove them later without causing any damage to the separate pieces. You wouldn't be able to do this if you had decided to weld the joint. But even though the fasteners are still removable, they still guarantee a strong connection. This is why they are often preferred in construction for non-permanent and permanent joints.
Now that you know what construction fasteners are, we can move on to their popular types.
What are the most popular types of construction fasteners?
There are several types of construction fasteners, and the right choice often depends on your specific needs. Here is a detailed overview of the most popular construction fasteners:
- Nails
These fasteners are made up of two parts: the pin and the head. They are generally used to join two different objects together and are a good option for construction because they provide more strength. Nails are also preferred because they come in a wide range of options that you can use in different applications including;
- Regular Nails: These nails have a thicker shaft, thus providing more substantial holding power. Because of this, you can use it in many applications.
- Box Nails: These nails have a diamond tip and steel construction, making them easy to apply during your construction project.
- Nail Framing: These fasteners come in a wide variety of styles and are generally used for easy concealment and recessed installation.
- Brad Nails: These nails are preferred during construction because they blend seamlessly with wood finishes.
- Flooring nails: They are designed to be used on different flooring materials.
- Drywall Nails: They are designed to minimize shedding and for easy concealment.
- Roofing Nails: These nails feature a wide head and are often used for their corrosion-resistant quality.
Typically, nails get their name from use, making it simpler to determine which is the best choice for your case. construction project. Each type of these nails also has unique attributes that make them best suited for a specific use or material.
- Bolts and nuts
Another common fastener used during construction are nuts and bolts, which typically work together to hold parts together tightly. When using them, after inserting the screws into the two pieces you want to fix, you must continue fixing them with a nut. The most common types of screws and nuts include;
- Plow Bolts: These bolts are designed for heavy-duty uses, such as heavy equipment with non-protruding heads.
- Hex Head Screws: These six-sided screws can provide a wide range of angles that you can work with and are generally easy to disassemble and assemble. Therefore, they are often used in machines.
- Carriage Bolts: These bolts feature countersunk or dished heads with square components below the head to ensure the bolt does not move while tightening the nut.
- Allen screws: They are used with Allen wrenches and have a hexagonal socket.
- Square Head Screws: They can offer a solid grip when using a wrench due to their square heads.
- Flange Bolts: These bolts feature a circular flange below the head to evenly distribute loads.
- Screws
These fasteners are also another popular choice to consider when undertaking wood construction projects due to their versatility and considerable holding power. They have a cylindrical body and a corkscrew-shaped crest and are covered by a head designed in different shapes. Although they are somewhat similar to screws, the distinct advantage is that they do not require nuts to secure them in position.
Before using the screw to secure two items, you first need to drill a pilot hole with a drill. After that, take a screwdriver to fit the screw into position. When looking for a screw to use in construction, you should know that they come in a wide range of options including;
- Sheet Metal Screws
- Deck Screws
- Wood Screws
- Drywall Screws
- MDF Screws
- Masonry Screws
- Machine Screws
- Rivets
This fastener comes with a cylindrical shaft with the tail and head on opposite sides. Rivets are the ideal type of fastener when you want to make a permanent joint between two components. You can also expand the tail of a rivet using a special tool to ensure it stays firmly in position. You can get rivets to create a permanent joint in different types, and these include:
- Split rivets
- Blind rivets
- Solid rivets
- Semi-tubular rivets
- Split rivets
- Anchors
These fasteners are also a popular choice. They are generally used to connect an item to a material such as concrete or drywall. It got its name because it performs the same function as a boat anchor to ensure that the ship is firmly held in position and does not move after being moored. Anchors come in several types including;
- Screw Anchors
- Sleeve Anchors
- Anchors with internal thread
- Masonry studs and screw anchors
- Hollow Wall Anchors
- Drive anchors
- Anchors with external thread
To remove
Construction projects essentially involve fixing different parts using various fasteners to ensure a safe and robust construction. Each of its types is designed for different purposes during construction. After reading this blog post, you will be able to know the popular types of construction fasteners that you should consider for your next construction project.
