Simpson Strong-Tie Building Hardware: What Montana Contractors Need to Know

Simpson Strong-Tie’s catalog runs deep — 70 years of structural fastening innovation backed by actual engineering. 70 years of industry experience (founded 1956) makes them the elder statesman of metal connectors. Their Strong-Drive screws and hurricane ties solve real jobsite problems, not marketing problems.

Strong-Drive SDWS Structural Wood Screws

The SDWS line represents Simpson’s answer to lag bolts — and it’s about time. 0.220 inches diameter, 4 inches length, T40 (six-lobe/star drive) doesn’t sound revolutionary until you’ve spent hours pre-drilling for lags in cold lumber.

The performance numbers matter more than the convenience. IAPMO UES ER-192, Meets 2012 and 2015 IRC requirements, Code listed for structural timber fasteners. That’s not marketing fluff — it’s third-party certification that these screws deliver engineered performance.

Specification	Value
Diameter	0.220 inches
Length	4 inches
Drive Type	T40 (six-lobe/star drive)
Head Style	Low-profile washer head
Thread Design	Saw-tooth point, bold thread design
Coating Options	E-Coat (Black, interior-grade) or Double-Barrier (Tan, exterior-grade)
Material	Steel

The Double-Barrier (Tan, exterior-grade) coating matters in Montana. Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles eat standard fasteners. Spring snowmelt keeps lumber wet for weeks. You need that exterior-grade protection or you’ll be back fixing failures in five years.

No pre-drilling required in most applications saves real time when you’re racing weather windows. The saw-tooth point for fast starts and reduced torque actually works — these bite into frozen lumber without cam-out.

Hurricane Ties and Structural Connectors

Montana doesn’t get hurricanes, but the state gets chinook winds that’ll peel a roof off just the same. Simpson’s connector line started with joist hangers in 1956 and expanded into a complete structural system.

The evaluation reports tell the real story. The Simpson Strong-Tie face-mount hangers, evaluated under ICC-ES ESR-2552, are structural connectors designed for wood framing in various building codes (IBC and IRC). Made primarily from galvanized steel or aluminum, these U-shaped hangers feature prepunched holes for nails or Simpson Strong-Drive SDS screws, facilitating secure attachment to supporting wood headers, beams, or ledger boards. The product line includes different series such as CBH, ACBH, SCBH, and HSKP, each tailored for specific structural applications like supporting joists, beams, or columns. The hangers are used in both residential and commercial construction, with design specifications ensuring compliance with multiple editions of the IBC and IRC. The product line emphasizes durability, ease of installation, and structural integrity, with detailed load capacities and dimensions provided in the evaluation report.

Their tie straps handle the uplift forces. The Simpson Strong-Tie product line includes a variety of structural fasteners, primarily tie straps designed for wood, plastics, and composites, evaluated for compliance with multiple editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). Their straps—such as the HST, LSTA, LSTI, MST, MSTA, MSTC, MSTI, ST Series, and coiled variants—are engineered to transfer wind and seismic loads between wood members, adhering to specific load and stress criteria. These straps come in various lengths and configurations, featuring prepunched holes for nails or bolts, with some models including notches for specific load transfer applications. The design emphasizes durability, ease of installation, and structural integrity, making them suitable for use in both code-regulated and engineered residential and commercial structures.

The Bottom Line on Simpson Strong-Tie

average rating 4.7, total reviews 308, highlights: Strong hold, easy installation without pre-drilling, high quality for deck framing. That’s real-world validation from contractors who’ve used these products.

Simpson doesn’t make the cheapest hardware. They make hardware that works. Unquestioned leader in wood connectors isn’t a title you earn by cutting corners. In a market flooded with offshore knockoffs, Simpson’s domestic manufacturing and third-party certifications matter.

For Montana contractors dealing with snow loads, temperature swings, and increasingly strict code enforcement, Simpson’s platform approach makes sense. Buy their screws, you can use their connectors. Use their connectors, the engineering is already done. The system works together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do SDWS screws really eliminate pre-drilling?

No pre-drilling required in most applications according to the specs. The saw-tooth point design handles most framing lumber without pilot holes. Dense lumber or end-grain connections might still need pilots.

What’s the difference between E-Coat and Double-Barrier coating?

E-Coat (Black, interior-grade) or Double-Barrier (Tan, exterior-grade) — interior versus exterior protection. Use Double-Barrier for any exposed application in Montana. Montana’s moisture cycles demand it.

Are Simpson connectors required by code?

The connectors themselves aren’t mandated, but the performance standards are. design specifications ensuring compliance with multiple editions of the IBC and IRC means Simpson’s engineering meets code requirements. Your inspector wants to see proper load transfer — Simpson provides the easiest path to compliance.

How do Strong-Drive screws compare to traditional lag bolts?

High-strength alternative to traditional lag screws with High shear and withdrawal strength. No pre-drilling saves labor. The smaller diameter means less wood removal, maintaining more structural integrity. Lag bolts still have their place for certain connections, but SDWS screws handle most structural fastening faster and often stronger.