What is Structural Hardware?

Structural hardware is the connective tissue holding your large deck projects together.

A deck, pergola, pavilion or arbor is typically made up of big, heavy pieces: joists, beams, posts, rafters and more than. They're oft solid wood, though they can also exist metal.

Structural hardware holds those big pieces together: think joist holders, post bases, beam connectors and more than.

Usually crafted from thick, galvanized steel, structural hardware pieces are congenital to have incredible force and durability. They tin can bear heavy weight loads and feature shear strength levels above building manufacture standards. Y'all'll typically attach them with heavy-duty fasteners like thick, steel timber screws and bolts that create a tight hold on woods-to-woods attachments and also adapt nearly any lumber size.

They're the unsung heroes of outdoor projects - cracking structural hardware creates a safe structure that will stand up the test of time. Merely lately, fifty-fifty the unsung heroes sing. Structural hardware tin can be a cute design pick in improver to its structural force. At DecksDirect, we love helping customers find structural hardware that is strong just too stylish. You tin can call us someday for recommendations on the best options for your project. In the meantime, let us intermission down the different kinds of structural hardware so you can get-go planning your next outdoor projection.

Tabular array of Contents

  • 7 Different Types of Structural Hardware and Beam Hardware
    1. Joist hangers
    2. Beam hangers
    3. Truss base of operations fans
    4. Mail service base kits
    5. Rafter clips
    6. Rafter seams
    7. Postal service-to-beam brackets

7 DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRUCTURAL HARDWARE AND Beam HARDWARE

If you're unfamiliar with whatsoever of the terminology, this diagram (from our informative Deck Framing Guide) may assistance you get a clearer picture of where these structural and axle hardware pieces attach to your structure:

The basic structure of your deck frame is held together by strong structural hardware.

Joist Hangers

Joist hangers are used to hold and attach your lumber joists in place against your structure's beams. Joists are typically 2x6 (in inches), 2x8, or 2x10, depending upon the size and design of your lawn pergola, pavilion or deck. Joist hangers are usually 3-sided components that wrap around the bottom, left, and right sides of the roof joist.

Available in either a flush or tab installation design, Joist Hangers fasten to the ceiling joists and beams with tough Simpson Potent-Necktie Connector Screws.

Axle Hangers

Beam hangers are like to joist hangers in that they are used to fasten together joists, beams, and rafters in construction projects. Attached at a 90° angle, beam hangers are installed by structural fasteners or bolts through the airplane pilot holes in the hanger.

Beam hangers are generally larger than joist hangers to adapt the larger lumber size of beams for backyard decks or porches. Typical beam sizes include 2x6 (in inches), 2x8, 2x10, and 2x12 boards.

Truss Base Fans

Truss base fans, or Gable Plates, connect your wood beams together while also adding a decorative flourish.

Too ordinarily referred to equally Gable Plates, truss base fans provide potent reinforcement for wood beam to wood brace pieces. These connection points by and large take place at the front of the pergola or pavilion and also provide stunning architectural particular to the DIY structure.

Gable Plates are offered in several unlike angles and designs to fit any construction while adding a decorative piece to the infinite. Depending on the angle of your frame, choose from a 3 Betoken pattern, T-Strap design, an 8:12 angle, a x:12 bending, or a 12:12 angle to perfect your pavilion, arbor, or pergola. Truss Accents are bachelor to mountain on your Truss roof plate and enhance the style of your shade construction.

Post Base of operations Kits

As well referred to as Post Anchors, post bases attach posts to their foundation. These pieces of hardware can be used to mount wood deck posts to your deck surface, to anchor deck back up posts to a physical footing, or to create support posts for pavilions, pergolas, and arbors.

Mail service Base Kits are generally offered to fit either 4x4 (in inches) or 6x6 wood posts and feature an adjustable range of up to a half inch. All hardware for zipper of the Mail Anchor or Mail service Base Kit to the woods deck post will usually be included with the piece itself.

When mounting a deck post on a wood or composite decking surface, DecksDirect recommends using a standard structural screw such as the GRK RSS. For mail installation on concrete, brick or stone, we recommend using a specialty screw such as the Caliburn XL Physical Screw. Choose a screw length of 4 inches or longer to properly ballast into the blocking or material below.

Rafter Clips

Also known every bit 90 Caste Angle Brackets, rafter clips are a highly versatile slice of structural hardware that can be used for essentially any structure project. Ideal for fastening rafter boards perpendicularly to ceiling beams and ridge boards, rafter clips can be used anywhere, vertically or horizontally.

These 90 Caste Brackets feature pre-drilled pilot holes, by and large include structural screws for installation. They're the perfect fastening choice for nearly any wood-to-wood connection. High Velocity Rafter Clips are also available for buildings and structures in highly windy climate regions. High Velocity Rafter Clips are hurricane zone tested and are approved for up to 120 mph.

Rafter Seams

Rafter seams are used to create seam connections for long rafter arcs in larger structures such every bit pergolas, gazebos, and pavilions. Rafter Seams allow the architect to create joints within curved or bowed rafters to dramatically increment the arc of your entire rafter slice. Build a one-of-a-kind unique arbor or greenhouse design right in your backyard with the innovative contour of Rafter Seams.

Mail service to Beam Brackets

Create a solid attachment between support posts and ceiling beams in your backyard structure with Post to Beam Connectors. Offered in several dissimilar profiles, Post to Axle Brackets can resemble either a straight-sided "S" blueprint or a three-sided post pinnacle with uprights for beam attachment.

Mail to Beam Couplers are also available for attaching two beams to a unmarried deck or pergola mail service. Post to Beam Couplers tin suit both crude cutting or smoothen cut lumber to let you to build your dream backyard pattern with whatever materials y'all accept on hand.

Find out about the different types of structural hardware so you can build your own DIY pergola right in your backyard


Learn more than almost the basics of deck framing and building in our Deck Framing Guide and learn deck parts and terminology in the DecksDirect Glossary of Deck Terms and Lingo.

The more you know, the better your deck and lawn projects will be! Whether y'all're looking at a brand new start or a fresh stop-of-season deck renovation, give our deck designers a call at 1-888-824-5316 or transport u.s.a. an email at hello@decksdirect.com. Our deck experts volition assistance you go the information, products, and tools you need for an crawly deck completely personalized to your needs!