Using Roofing Nails On Joist Hangers

Roofing nails the use of roofing nails as structural attachments for joist hangers is not uncommon however it should be avoided.

Using roofing nails on joist hangers.

Slip on a joist hanger so it supports the guide and pound the barbed tabs to hold it in place. That s a recipe for disaster as roofing nails are not structural nails. They are relatively easy to level in fix very strongly indeed and allow the carpenter by using temporary fixings to get all timbers in place. We re using a scrap of wood screwed to the joist as a brace to hold the joist in position while we fit the hanger but you can also use a nail bent over to form a hook.

For double shear single hangers photo 4 fasten the hanger to the joist s with longer 8d or 10d nails. Improper nailing of an i joist. Roofing nails are not made to withstand the structural forces that are required for joist hanger connectors. Indoors or out for standard type single joist hangers use only 1 1 2 in.

It comes with plenty of holes through which you can screw or nail the hanger to one timber while you drop another timber in the shoe. Now you can slip the joist into the hanger and drive the nails that go into the joist. To install start by aligning the top plane of the joist with the top of the rim joist. The side nail into the bottom flange of the i joist is installed at the wrong angle.

As far as overkill probably is but you read about too many deck collapses every year. Remove the guide and drive nails to attach the hanger. Hang the joist with a bent over nail. Roofing nails death on a stick all too often rookie carpenters or do it yourself homeowners will install joist hangers using roofing nails.

Screws are also unnacceptable for hangers since they do not have the shear strength of a nail. For double hangers use 8d or 10d nails. Roofing nails don t have the inherent strength to support the weight of a deck or any framing member. Joist hangers give roofing carpenters a great deal of flexibility.

This may cause splitting of the bottom chord. What s more chances are high that the use of these nails would fail a building inspection. Code calls for joist hanger nails. Nails installed into the underside of the bottom chord are not necessary.

The joist hanger in this video calls for 10d common galvanized nails.