Simpson has a network of distributors and dealers throughout the U.S., Canada and South America. To find the outlet nearest you, use our online Dealer Locator, or call (800) 999-5099 in the U.S. and Canada and ask for the Authorized Stocking Dealer in your area.
 
SALES

How can I find my cost for Simpson Strong-Tie products?

The MSRP is listed in the P-2008 price book. Your actual cost may be affected by availability, freight options, and other factors. Contact your local supplier for exact cost. For a list of distributors near you please visit our online Dealer Locator, or contact our Sales Department at (800) 999-5099.

I am looking for certain Simpson products, can I order them online? If not, can you direct me to a place to find them.

We do not sell products online. For a list of distributors near you please visit our online Dealer Locator, or contact our Sales Department at (800) 999-5099.

LITERATURE

Can I download fliers/code reports/technical bulletins/catalogs?

Yes! Our literature is available in PDF format on this site. You can use the navigation menu at the top of this page to see all of the literature we offer -- use the "LITERATURE" button at the top of this page. Or, you can go to a product page and find all the literature relevant to that product listed at the bottom of the page. To find a specific product, use the Search box at the top of this page, go to our list of all products listed alphabetically, or browse through all of our products listed by category.

Also, we can notify you by email when new literature is available on the website. Sign up for our once/month email newsletter.

Can I download drawings/details of products?

Yes, we offer details in DWG format. You will find the drawings relevant to a particular product listed at the bottom of each product page. To find a specific product, use the Search box at the top of this page, or go to our list of all products listed alphabetically. You can also order a current CD-ROM which includes DWGs, plus the Simpson AutoCAD menu which allows you to insert Ortho views directly into your AutoCad drawing.

Can I order printed versions of fliers/code reports/technical bulletins/catalogs?

All of our current catalogs and much of our literature can be mailed to you free of charge. Visit our Literature Order Form to send us your request.

HOME PROJECTS

How and where can I get information about do-it-yourself projects?

Please visit our Do-It-Yourself section, which includes information about connectors, as well as project ideas and other literature.

Do you make connectors for a gazebo? How about eight sided gazebos?

We make connectors to construct a six sided gazebo: GT6, gazebo top rafter tie which connects 6 rafters into a peak, GT2: gazebo rafter/plate tie, the companion product which connects the individual connectors to the plate, and the GTF: the gazebo joist-post tie that connects the rim joists to the post. An eight sided version of the GT6 may be special ordered. We do not currently make versions of the GT2 or GTF for an eight sided gazebo.

I am using 5/4" deck boards, can I use the DBT1Z with them?

DBT1Z deck board ties are designed to be used with either 2x or 5/4” dimensional lumber deck boards, but many of our customers have used the DBT1Z with composite boards without any problem. Pre-drilling is recommended for 5/4" deck boards. The top of the DBT1Z may be visible from the deck surface, especially if the corners of the boards are rounded.

I want to extend your workbench design to accommodate an 8 ft workbench. Can you identify the additional hardware and expand the cut list?

You should be able to extend the bench by adding two legs in the mid span and attach them to the rest of the framing using RTF2.

TECHNICAL

When designing a continuous tiedown system utilized for multiple stories, is it ok to skip floors (i.e. have non-restrained stories)?

Simpson does not support skipping story restraints. Third-party witnessed testing has shown that a building's performance with skipped stories is significantly reduced when compared to a building which has a restraint at each level. Increased drift and a lack of system redundancy are inherent for skipped story systems. Additionally, stability problems may occur because elements at the restraint point have to resist the total cumulative loads for the entire system below it. Please contact Simpson for additional information or questions.

I am worried about the weather-ability of your connectors, can I use them in outdoor applications?

Most of our connectors are galvanized, however, that does not mean they are corrosion proof. We have available stainless steel and ZMAX® finished connectors which have greater corrosion resistance. Read our extensive corrosion information.

Does use of air driven nailing tools cause any reduction in strength of your connectors? Do you recommend or not recommend the use of these nails?

Air driven nails can be used with selected Simpson products in lieu of the specified nails, but there may be a load reduction with the substitution. We have tested and published technical bulletins on five makes of nails for use in pneumatic nailing tools. Other makes of nails may be used if they are equivalent to the ones in the technical bulletins. Use caution not to overdrive the nails dimple or tear the connector. Please see these PDF files for air driven/pneumatic applications: T-POSITIVENL06, T-TRUESPECHAL07, T-AIRNAIL06, T-STRAPTITE06, and T-BOSTITCH06. Please contact our Engineering Department at (800) 999-5099 for other applications.

Can your post bases be used for fence post or stair handrails?

We have a wide array of post bases, some can be cast in wet concrete others installed with epoxy and threaded rod on finished grade. However, none of them are recommended for non-top supported installation. These are situations where the posts are attached to a horizontal rail and the rail is not supported by anything at the ends. So unless you can brace the stair rail post against pivoting motion at the base, we do not recommend using post bases for your application.

I am looking for a post base that I can install after the concrete is cured. What can I use?

When concrete is already cured, you can use one of our AB series post bases that can be installed with epoxy and threaded rod. The post base is installed by drilling a hole in the concrete, setting the threaded rod with epoxy, and securing the base to the rod using a nut. The AB Series post bases come with a 1" stand off for moisture protection.

I want to retrofit my house against earthquake/hurricane. Do you offer design services or do you have some kind of service that can review a set of plans and recommend the best combination of your products to prevent hurricane/earthquake damage? If not, can you refer me to a local engineer or contractor?

Our Homebuyers area, High Wind-Resistant Construction (C-HW05-R) catalog, and Seimic Retrofit Guide (F-PLANS07) are intended to offer solutions for designing for earthquake/hurricane conditions. However, we do not offer design services due to liability reasons. Our suggestion is to contact a local architect or engineer who can specify the connectors for you based on structural loads, framing layout, and code requirements. Your local building department may be able to offer referrals for engineers or contractors.

Can your floor levelers be used as house jacks?

Our J, JP floor levelers and EPB44T post base have adjustable heights. However, they are not to be used as house jacks. You need to raise the house using special hydraulic or mechanical jacks then place the floor lever or post bases after adjusting them to the proper height.

Does the bottom of your hold-downs have to make contact with the plate either directly or through shimming?

Most of our holdowns with the exceptions of LTT and MTT do not have to be mounted directly on top of the sill plate. In fact HD and PHD holdowns can be installed 18" off the sill and still retain full load capacity (deflection may be higher however).

Can I use your mending plates for truss fabrication?

The mending plates shown in the Simpson Strong-Tie catalog are not intended for structural use. They have not been tested for structural applications and are not load rated. Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses require specific design criteria as outlined by the Truss Plate Institute and in the current ANSI/TPI documents. Software specific to truss design is available through a number of truss plate suppliers. For more information regarding truss plate suppliers, contact the Truss Plate Institute at (608) 833-5900.

Can I use nails other than what you have specified? How about using screws instead of nails?

Some of our connectors (generally straight straps and face mount hangers) can be installed with alternative fasteners but usually with reduction in load capacity. Please refer to the Simpson Strong-Tie catalog or this chart for a list of viable substitutions. Screws, due to their smaller shank diameter and penetration, usually have lower shear capacity than common nails.

Does Simpson make connectors to fit rough lumber specifications, such as a full 2"x4" instead of the nominal 1.5" by 3.5"

Simpson does make a variety of face mount hangers for use with rough-cut lumber. These can be found in the Simpson Strong-Tie catalog or on these web pages.

Does Simpson offer hangers that connect wood members to steel beams?

Simpson offers several top flange hangers designed to either hang off of wood nailer plates that sit on top of steel beams or that can be welded directly to steel beams. Refer to the Simpson Strong-Tie catalog under Top Flange Hangers and look in the Hanger Options section.

MISCELLANEOUS

I just came up with this wonderful idea for a new product, who can I talk to about it?

Visit our ideas page.

I noticed that the Simpson website has "DWG" and other drawing files available for downloading. Is it correct to assume that these can be used on our office's drawings when specifying your products or is special permission required before doing so?

Any of the DWG and other drawing files available at any of the Simpson websites or on the CD-ROMs are meant for public use without any additional permission required. Please feel free to download any or all for use when specifying Simpson products.

How much recycled steel is used in your connectors?

Simpson's connectors are produced from steel purchased from suppliers all over the world, which makes it difficult to ascertain with certainty the exact amount of recycled content in each product. However, with programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), it's important for Simpson to provide the industry with as much information as possible.

The LEED program's Green Building Rating System is used by builders, architects and engineers across the U.S. and establishes criteria for the amount of recycled material used in the construction of a new facility. The program aims to improve occupant well-being, environmental performance and economic returns of building using established and innovative practices, standards and technologies. For a building to become LEED certified, paperwork must be submitted that quantifies the amount of recycled content used in the construction materials.

To help our customers fulfill the requirements of LEED and other programs, Simpson Strong-Tie relies on information published by the Steel Recycling Institute. There are two major production processes in the steel industry with different recycled components. Because the bulk of our steel comes from the Basic Oxygen Furnace method, Simpson cites this method for its recycle percentages. Based on industry requirements and the Basic Oxygen Furnace method estimates, the following are the 2005 steel production and recycling rates from the Steel Recycling Institute:

Total Recycled Content:  31.6%
Post-Consumer Recycled Percentage = 24.6%
Post-Industrial Recycle Percentage = 6.6%

For more information please visit the Steel Recycling Institute's website at www.recycle-steel.org.