Bolts and screws must be located 2 in. It will still be strong enough with the post being 8' apart. 8 8” galvanized carriage bolts, with nuts and washers 1 5 lb. I'm building a gazebo which is really more of a covered pergola. Conventional Lags. STEP 3: Place and attach metal anchor to concrete with anchor bolt (1/2" x 4") and place the post. Screws made from galvanized steel, on the other hand, have an average of only 62,000 PSI. Conventional Lags. Pergola Construction. Hex Galvanized Lag Screw (25-Pack) Lag Screws are hex head screws with thick Lag Screws are hex head screws with thick shafts and coarse threads. If you decide to go with the carriage bolts, I'd suggest that you use Torque Washers as well. Once I'm done, the structure itself will look better than new. I'm building a pergola and would like to know what size lag bolts I should use to attach the beams to the post. Stainless is prettier. Features. I hope this has helped you choose the correct fasteners for your pergola. The carriage bolt is more of a bolt than its lag counterpart. Ours doesn't have the long swing bar. For outdoor applications, it is best to use stainless or galvanized hardware, both of which are expensive. A lag screw can have as much as a nine times greater bonding factor to wood than a regular nail. Stairs. Normally, a free-standing pergola would be built on concrete piers, sunk below the frost line. Pergola Posts and Beams (How to Build a Pergola Attached to the House) Cut decorative ends on the two pieces and hold them on the posts parallel to the house with the top edges even with the level lines from the ledger. Attach it with (12) 16d common nails or #10 x 1-1/2 in. The use of a carriage bolt with a Simpson tension tie is ideal. It all depends on the style of pergola you want. I don't know how old yours is but I thought all Rainbow units were Redwood. Learn which one to … They can be tough to find, but a google search for "torque washers" should help. Lag Screw vs. Carriage Bolt « Reply #2 on: April 25, 2007, 10:42 AM » Two things come to mind, first, a bolt will stick out the other end and be somewhat sharp, you may be able to find caps to put over the ends. Step 6: Hammer in Carriage Bolts. Structurally rated lag bolts screws are available, but most home centers carry generic versions of varying quality. bolt with spacer option over the siding unless it’s T 1-11. In other words, if a lag bolt useful for your application costs 50 cents, a similar structural screw would cost anywhere between a dollar and a dollar-and-a-half. Also, if you can get behind the rim joist of the house, you can use through-bolts as an alternative to lag screws. +1 to making a lip for the brace to sit on. 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. All home centers carry a large assortment of lag bolts screw sizes. But there is a chance I may have to do a few posts using brand new (wet) 4x4 posts. At least they were back in 2002. add to list click to add item grip fast 1/4'-20 x 3' stainless steel grade 18-8 carriage bolts - 24 count to your list in your list item grip fast 1/4'-20 x 3' stainless steel grade 18-8 carriage bolts - 24 count is already in your list. Just a quick little video on how I do it. I personally prefer the bold going all the way through both beams and the post. Man, if I could get the prices they're asking for these swingsets, I'd quit my job. The top has a small square neck that resists turning when it is fastened into place. Hi guys. I built a similar Rainbow unit for my kids just under 5 years ago. Lag bolts screws cost a third of the price of structural screws. Also, if you can get behind the rim joist of the house, you can use through-bolts as an alternative to lag screws. Referred to interchangeably as a lag screw or a lag bolt (lag bolt is perhaps a more precise name), this fastener has a tapered shaft, with coarse threads that run about half its length. I do keep several structural screws of different varieties on hand but I mostly buy them as need. Your use of any material contained on this website is entirely at your own risk. So when I saw one advertised at 40% of the price of a new one, I got it. Treads are non-load bearing. Use carriage bolts to secure your deck to the house, then secure the carriage bolt in place by attaching a washer and nut on the opposite side of the rim joist. Nail vs. Screw vs. Bolt: Knowing the Right Hardware to Use Hanging a picture, decorative projects and repair jobs can require a variety of different hardware. Strong-Drive SD screws. The design of your pergola is what is going to determine what fasteners you should use. I personally prefer the bold going all … ThruLOKs replace traditional carriage and through-bolts in applications ranging from 4½”– 9 ½”. Rainbow just happens to be the brand everyone goes ga-ga over. Attach the double beam to the posts with two 1/2-by-7-inch carriage bolts at each end. The bolts were for the main assemblies and the screws were for the angle supports, legs, etc. Lag Bolts Used for Deck Construction. The posts are dried, and the deck is dried as well. You will have 2 per joint and it will be very secure. Carriage and Through-Bolt Replacement. It would definitely be stronger and will require less maintenance using through bolts - carriage or machine, depending on whether you like round heads or hex heads. Lag bolts should be fine on those pieces since they are decorative anyway. Bolts are stronger and can be tightened in future years if the lumber shrinks. carriage bolts at menards . Use carriage bolts to secure your deck to the house, then secure the carriage bolt in place by attaching a washer and nut on the opposite side of the rim joist. Installs with an 18 volt cordless drill; No drill bits or wrenches required Make sure your bolt is long enough to go through one deck joist, the post and through another deck joist with room for a washer and nut to be added onto the end. I will be putting on a metal roof and have a total of 9 4x4 support posts. This is how I build my deck 10 years ago and it is still very strong even with a spa on it. Lag Shield Expansion Anchors A Expansion Lag Shield is Designed for Light to Medium Duty Fastening in Concrete, Mortar Joints, Masonry and Brick. These special lag screws often have washers attached to their heads. Pergola Post-Setting Options. This means that you have to countersink the bolt for it to perform as it is supposed to. Like lag screws, carriage bolts are available in a variety of lengths, diameters and coatings. That way you can use a 10" bolt, washers, and nut to go all the way through both beams and the post. Starting about 2 inches from the edges of the beam, counterbore two holes on the inside (or the least-visible side) of the beam for carriage bolt nuts. When it comes to strength and durability, therefore, stainless steel always comes out on top. SPAX® PowerLags® vs. STEP 4: Attach post to metal anchors with lag bolts (5/16" x 3"). Festool and its affiliates cannot be responsible for improper postings or your reliance on the website's material. Rule of thumb is that carriage bolts are for joinery, lag bolts are for extra strength. Should I go with the Timberlok wood screws, or run a lag screw all the way through? It is a rarity for me to use lag bolts or even carriage bolts over a structural screw or a ThruLok. It is much stronger than a lag bolt simply because the railing post is fastened on both sides, whereas a lag bolt only attaches the post to one joist. To fasten a large piece like a post, use either a lag screw or a carriage bolt. Commonly used for decks, framing, retaining walls, and wooden playground equipment.