Jun 01, 2016

In the building trade, fasteners consist of much more than nuts and bolts, as they have to be able to maintain the integrity of houses, towers and bridges. These types of fasteners go by the name construction anchors because they have to connect components to a base material, such as brick or concrete, without allowing it to move. Workers install construction anchors by drilling a hole in the base material that is a bit larger than the fastener and then insert the anchor into the hole to the required depth, followed by the fastener. Quality construction anchors are an essential part of every building project and they come in two main types of mechanical and chemical.

The role of anchors

Construction anchors have to resist forces from two directions. These two forces are pullout forces that pull in the direction of the fastener axis and shear forces that pull at right angles to the fastener axis. Compromising on the quality of these anchors is unwise, as they need to hold building elements to a base material in a safe, reliable and durable manner. Using high quality construction anchors maintains the integrity of a structure for a lifetime.

Chemical versus mechanical anchors

The two main types of construction anchors, chemical and mechanical, have different characteristics  making them ideal for a variety of situations. The specific shape, size and material of anchors also makes a difference, but there are key differences to consider when choosing between mechanical or chemical.

Saves Time required prior to applying load - Mechanical fasteners can hold loads immediately after you install them, but chemical fasteners have to set before applying loads.

Water resistance - Mechanical fasteners leave a gap between the anchor and the base material, which when installing outside, can lead to leaks inside the structure. A chemical fastener fills the area between the base material and fastener creating a watertight seal and making it ideal for exterior applications.

Load capabilities - Both mechanical and chemical fasteners can bear the same types of loads and come in a large range of load capacities. 

For securing a load-bearing element to a base material in construction, anchors are the safest, most reliable and sensible choice. Quality counts when you're dealing with pulling forces and that's why you need to invest in anchors from Copper State Bolt & Nut Co. The integrity of your building projects depend on using the best equipment for the job.



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