Connector Basics

Connectors are steel components designed to connect and strengthen joints within the frame of a home. They are engineered to secure the skeleton of the house and increase its ability to resist seismic, wind and other forces. Joints secured with connectors are much stronger than joints secured only with nails (toe-nailed joints).

Connectors come in all shapes and sizes. In fact there are thousands of connectors specially engineered for very specific applications as you can see in the many categories of connectors on this website.

Connectors are generally found in 5 areas of a structure:

Foundation anchors to Wall Framing

Foundation ties to Structural Walls

Holddown/Strap ties first floor to Second Floor

Joist Hangers Support the Floor System

Ties fasten the Roof to the Wall Framing

There are three major types of connectors:

Wood to Concrete connectors typically affix the frame of a house to the foundation. Anchor bolts, holdowns, and post bases are common wood-to-concrete connectors.

Wood to Wood connectors join two wood members in the frame. You will find wood-to-wood connectors, such as joist hangers and hurricane ties, used it the floor, wall, and roofs in better-built homes.

Wood to Masonry connectors join wood to concrete block construction, which is common in some areas of the Southeast United States.

There are also miscellaneous connectors in fences, decks, and other structures around the home.