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Last Updated: Friday, September 15th, 2000, Created: Friday, September 15th, 2000
In the old days we toe-nailed boards together, or created special joints to lock one piece of wood to another. Today we have eliminated most of that and get stronger joints by using metal connectors. The variety of connectors is amazing and some are even bendable to special angles. For example, if you cannot find a 45 degree joist hanger, you can use two adjustable framing anchors, leave one at its original 45 degrees and bend its mate to 135 degrees.
One important detail is to use nails that fill the holes in the metal fully, yet are not so long as to push through the metal on the other side of the joist. The connector companies sell nails specifically for this purpose and their use makes the joint stronger than using something that remains loose in the hole.
The photo shows two standard "joist hangers", used for hooking the structure of your floor, or your deck, together.
The connectors that were shown were Simpson Strong-Tie connectors.
Article 374