If you’re in the industry, you’ve probably heard of Simpson Strong-Tie. Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in fasteners, and Dunn Lumber is proud to carry their products because we know they offer excellent quality. In today’s blog, we’re hearing from Norm Henson, Michelle Yee, and Zac Page from Simpson Strong-Tie as they share information about some of their fasteners that will help improve wood applications—from decks to pergolas. 

Living in Northwest Washington provides beautiful views of the Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and city skylines. Those views represent the diversity of weather that comes with our regional climate. This is why it’s important to choose appropriate materials to withstand rain, saltwater spray, high winds, and sun.

Simpson Strong-Tie has a reputation for innovating high-quality code-approved metal connectors. Simpson Strong-Tie fasteners for wood-to-wood applications have exceedingly lived up to this reputation. Simpson Strong-Tie’s commitment to testing and focus on quality is why Dunn Lumber has an expanded offering for you to choose from. Here are some wood-to-wood fasteners to consider for your next project.

Deck-Drive Wood Screw

The Deck-Drive DSV wood screw fastener provides an innovative twist for multipurpose wood screws. Combined, the high-low tip and variable thread design produce fast starts for an easy installation. When combined with the low-torque threads, this fast start allows 35 percent more screws to be driven per battery charge. Their proprietary Quik Guard coating provides superior corrosion resistance for exterior projects, including installation into preservative-treated woods that fall within the American Wood Protection Association Use Categories guidelines (AWPA UC4A). All lengths of the DSV Wood Screws can be installed with a Torx (T25 6-lobe driver bit), included with the screw purchase.

Deck-Drive Wood SS Screw 

Living in Puget Sound, we’re offered a picturesque backdrop defined by beautiful bodies of water. The drawback? All this water can be harsh on our homes. Protect your investment with the Deck-Drive DWP Wood SS Screw. These 316 stainless-steel screws are a powerful fastening solution for exterior applications such as decks and docks that call for enhanced corrosion protection. Additionally, the specially designed sharp-point tip and unique box threads reduce torque during installation, saving you time. The #10, #12, and #14 DWP Wood SS Screws are tested in accordance with International Code Council-Evaluation Service Acceptance Criteria (ICC-ES AC233) and are load rated for shear, pull-through, and withdrawal resistance. Choose Type 316 stainless steel for seaside and coastal environments.

Simpson Strong-Tie deck drive wood screw

Deck-Drive Hardwood Screw 

Penetrate the hardest wood products without pre-drilling! This includes ipe, walnut, oak, and cherry with hardness scales of up to 3,684 pounds of force. The 305 stainless steel Deck-Drive DHPD Hardwood Screw is designed with a paddle-point tip, which drills into hardwood decking. This innovative design eliminates the need for pre-drilling. The wings on the shaft counterbore and allow the head to countersink for a clean finish.

driving screw into hardwood

Strong-Drive Timber Screw

The Strong-Drive SDWS Timber Screw is designed to provide an easy-to-install, high-strength alternative to through-bolting and traditional lag screws, equivalent up to 1/2". The Strong-Drive SDWS Timber Screw is ideal for the contractor and do-it-yourselfer alike. Code listed under International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO UES ER-192), it meets 2012 and 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) code requirements for several common wood framing and engineered-wood applications. The new patented SawTooth point ensures fast starts, reduces installation torque, and eliminates the need for pre-drilling. The large low-profile washer head and aggressive thread design are ideal for working on timber, ledger boards, docks, or pergolas. The proprietary double-barrier coating provides corrosion protection that is equivalent to hot-dipped galvanization, and meets the testing criteria of American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM A153, Class D).

Simpson Strong-Tie timber screw in pergola

Strong-Drive Timber-Hex Screw

The Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG Screw is a hot-dip galvanized screw suitable for marine and coastal applications. The combined SawTooth point and oversized integral washer make for fast installations without the need for pre-drilling or using a separate washer. This provides a high-strength alternative to through-bolting and traditional lag screws, equivalent up to 3/4". This is code listed under IAPMO-UES ER-192 and meets 2012 and 2015 IRC and IBC code requirements for several common wood framing applications such as docks, deck ledgers, and beam-to-post connections.

simpson strong tie wood screw guide

As you've read, Simpson Strong-Tie wood-to-wood-fasteners offer innovative designs and enduring quality suited for a variety of applications common in the Pacific Northwest. Visit one of our nine Puget Sound-area locations to browse our selection of Simpson Strong-Tie fasteners, or visit Simpson Strong-Tie for more information on their products. 

Photos courtesy of Simpson Strong-Tie.