Galvanized wood connectors 1

[abusementpark]

When do you require wood connectors (i.e. Simpson products) to be galvanized?

On exterior applications only? Or do you require them for wood bottom plates as well?

 

[JedClampett]

Here's Simpson's guidance, especially with regard to pressure treated wood:

http://www.strongtie.com/productuse/PTWoodFAQs.html

Note that for some preservatives, a higher grade of galvanizing is required. And for others, stainless hardware is required.

 

[csd72]

I would always want them to be galvanised because:
1. They wont be painted properly (if at all).
2. they are much thinner than normal structural steel and therefore much more susceptable to corrosion.

Also agree with Jed regarding the influence of the pressure treatment.

 

[a2mfk]

I have heard instances of improperly protected fasteners and connectors in contact with the new PT wood completely corroding within a couple of years... Anecdotal, I know, but I agree with Jed and being very conservative. I can see these being covered up and nobody would know if they rust away or not until a wind/seismic event.

 

[NITTANYRAY]

All Simpson light gage connectors are galvanized, except their architecturally exposed connectors which are painted black and their stainless steel connectors.
Any connectors which are in contact with Preservative treated wood and exposed to moisture should have the Z-max coating which is G185. If you have a treated member in a dry environment, the standard G90 coating would be sufficient.
Note that I referred to dry and moist not interior and exterior. If the treated wood is near an indoor swimming pool, a damp crawl space or any process that may have a very humid environment the Z-max or stainless steel connectors should be used. Simpson has a chart near the front of their catalog (p. 11 in the 2010 catalog) for exposure environments with the different chemicals presently being used for treatment.
This info is available on line at

http://WWW.strongtie.com.

 

[abusementpark]

Any connectors which are in contact with Preservative treated wood and exposed to moisture should have the Z-max coating which is G185.

This must be what I was thinking of. So I assumed this should called for on all bottom plate connectors and any other connectors in contact with PT wood?

 

[FSS]

Not necessarily, since not all treatments are equal. If it is an interior wall with the typical borate treatment, then regular connectors and regular nails are fine.

 

[rscassar]

I specify that all connectors in timber to be hot dipped galvanized or fabricated from galvanized steel sheet.