In construction, fasteners are not all created equal. Nor are they interchangeable. In structural applications, using the right fasteners, in the correct quantities and installed correctly, is crucial to performance and indeed the safety of a structure. Unfortunately, this is not well understood by homeowners and even some contractors.
Most homes are constructed of small, repetitive wood elements, which are connected to form assemblies like walls and floors. These assemblies are connected to create the general structure of the building, to which the siding, flooring, trim, and fixtures are attached. It should be evident that the connections that form the assemblies and connect them together are crucial to the integrity of the building. Continue reading “Connection Confusion in Residential Construction”