Wood Construction Connectors Fastening Identification Guide/Hole Types
Also see fastener types and nails.
Round Holes
Purpose: To fasten a connector.
Fill Requirements: Always fill, unless noted otherwise.
Purpose: To fasten a connector.
Fill Requirements: Always fill, unless noted otherwise.
Obround Holes
Purpose: To make fastening a connector in a tight location easier.
Fill Requirements: Always fill.
Purpose: To make fastening a connector in a tight location easier.
Fill Requirements: Always fill.

Square Holes
Purpose: To fasten a connector.
Fill Requirements: Always fill, unless noted otherwise.
Purpose: To fasten a connector.
Fill Requirements: Always fill, unless noted otherwise.
Hexagonal Holes
Purpose: To fasten a connector to concrete or masonry.
Fill Requirements: Always fill when fastening a connector to concrete or masonry.
Purpose: To fasten a connector to concrete or masonry.
Fill Requirements: Always fill when fastening a connector to concrete or masonry.
Triangular Holes
Purpose: To increase a connector’s strength or to achieve max. strength.
Fill Requirements: When the Designer specifies max. nailing.
Purpose: To increase a connector’s strength or to achieve max. strength.
Fill Requirements: When the Designer specifies max. nailing.
Diamond Holes
Purpose: To temporarily fasten a connector to make installing it easier.
Fill Requirements: None.
Purpose: To temporarily fasten a connector to make installing it easier.
Fill Requirements: None.
Pilot Holes
Tooling holes for manufacturing purposes. No fasteners required.
Tooling holes for manufacturing purposes. No fasteners required.
Speed Prongs
Used to temporarily position and secure the connector for easier and faster installation.
Used to temporarily position and secure the connector for easier and faster installation.
Positive Angle Nailing (PAN)
Provided when wood splitting may occur, and to speed installation.
Provided when wood splitting may occur, and to speed installation.
Dome Nailing
This feature guides the nail into the joist and header at a 45° angle.
This feature guides the nail into the joist and header at a 45° angle.
Double-Shear Nailing
The nail is installed into the joist and header, distributing the load through two points on each joist nail for greater strength. Double-shear nailing must be full-length catalog nail.
The nail is installed into the joist and header, distributing the load through two points on each joist nail for greater strength. Double-shear nailing must be full-length catalog nail.
ITS/IUS Strong-Grip™
The Strong-GripTM seat allows the I-joist to “snap” in securely without the need for joist nails.
The Strong-GripTM seat allows the I-joist to “snap” in securely without the need for joist nails.