Gonnections count in engineered wood sales

TOCKING engineered structural wood composite framing members requires a dealer to maintain an inventory of appropriate connectors.

The largest wire diameter recommended for hanger attachment to Ijoist flanges is 9 gauge, the gauge used in 10d common nails. Special 10d x lll2" nails (9 gauge x I-I12"), commonly referred to as joist hanger, truss or Teco nails, are recommended. They are offered by connector manufacturers such a Simpson Strong-Tie.

Hangers for I-joists used in simple floor framing are commonly top-flange or face-mounted. Though priced slightly higher, top-flange varieties are generally the most popular, because they cost less to install. They have fewer nails because of the top-flange support and eliminate the need to measure for correct joist height.

Face-mounted hangers rely on the shear value of the fasteners in the header, so more fasteners are required. They also must be measured to the set height of joists. Top-flange hangers usually outsell face-mounted hangers at a ratio of 2to 1, according to Mike Bugbee at Simpson.

Connectors designed for dimensional lumber joists are usually not suitable or appropriate for use with Ijoists. Hangers designed for l-joists provide connection without modification or reinforcement of the joist in most installations, requiring installation of fasteners into the flanges only. They have adequate bearing length to meet joist requirements, side flange heights to capture, then stabilize the joist top flange, and no fasteners in the web area. Optional nail holes are sometimes provided in hangers for special conditions such as cantilever upright requirements. When optional nails are used, web stiffeners are required. Hangers are not recommended for use with joists unless the side flange height is at least6O% of thejoist height, Bugbee points out.

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Storyat a Glance

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flange depth requires web stiffeners or bearing blocks. Usually hanger side flange nail holes in the web area also indicate that side flange nails are necessary thus requiring web stiffeners. The height of the flange is important even when hangers requiring web stiffeners are used. The hanger side flange should be of a height sufficient to avoid rotation, especially during installation. The largest nail recommended for web penetration is 8 gauge, commonly called 16d common nail.

Some connectors are designed with special features appealing to builders. Simpson Strong-Tie has developed a bend tab feature for I-joist hangers. This locks a joist bottom flange into the top of the I-joist bottom flange where it is stressed only during reverse loading such as vibration or bouncing caused by people walking or running across thefloor. Extensive testing of full-scale floor systems has proven this feature effective in reducing or eliminating floor squeaks.

If I-joists are used as rafters, slopeable hangers are needed. Some, such as the Simpson Strong-Tie LSSU hanger, are field adjustable for both vertical slopes and lateral skew.

LVL and PSL structural composite beams and headers often require special fasteners because narrower elements are exposed on some surfaces and wider elements on others. Fasteners that are too large in diameter may damage the material. Nails used in surfaces with narrow elements exposed should be no longer than 8 gauge common nails. Nails used in the surfaces with wider elements exposed should be limited to .121" diameter (20d commonnail).

An effective hanger inventory specifically designed for the engineered wood products stocked should be kept separate from standard lumber hangers. Single and double member hangers in top and face mount hanger varieties and the nails mentioned in this article are recorlmended by Bugbee for a basic inventory.