Engineered as a system
Connectors are matched to the load, span, and fire requirements of the RedBuilt product they serve.
Connections and Fasteners
What are Connections and Fasteners?
A structure is only as strong as its connections. Undersized hardware, mismatched fastener schedules, or field substitutions are common sources of failed inspections, change orders, and callback costs on commercial wood projects.
Engineered as a system
Hardware is selected and detailed to current ICC-ES evaluation reports and AWC National Design Specification® provisions, reducing RFIs and inspection delays.
Benefits
Code compliance built in
Hardware is selected to current ICC-ES reports and AWC NDS provisions, reducing RFIs and inspection delays.
Fewer jobsite surprises
Pre-specified connections prevent field substitutions and keep schedules and budgets intact.
One point of accountability
A coordinated framing and connection system gives the project team one technical partner from design through installation.
Characteristics
Connections and fasteners used across RedBuilt systems generally fall into several coordinated categories.
- Dowel-type fasteners — nails, screws, and bolts for general framing connections.
- Hangers and concealed connectors — sized for I-joists, LVL, and trusses.
- CLT panel connectors — splines, angle brackets, and hold-downs for load transfer.
- Selection considers aesthetics, fire cover, construction tolerances, and seismic or wind load.
Types of Connections and Fasteners
Face-mount, top-flange, skewed, and sloped hanger configurations are sized to RedBuilt member reactions.
Dowel-type fasteners
Nails, structural wood screws, and bolts sized per current NDS provisions.
Concealed connectors
Beam-to-column and beam-to-girder options where aesthetics and fire performance matter.
CLT panel connectors
Panel-to-panel and panel-to-frame hardware for mass timber assemblies.
Fire Performance of Connections
IBC mass-timber construction requires connections to achieve a fire-resistance rating equal to connected members. Concealed connectors or tested fire-rated protection must be installed exactly as tested.
Concealed connectors
Hardware embedded within the timber cross-section uses surrounding wood for fire protection and preserves exposed-wood design intent.
Protected connections
Exposed plates, brackets, and ledgers use engineered sacrificial timber, Type X gypsum, or non-combustible insulation sized to the required time.
Sustainability and Material Efficiency
Right-sized hardware and engineered load paths avoid overbuilding. Durable, serviceable connection details extend the useful life of wood structures and reduce replacement waste.
Technology and Coordination
Digital modeling, CNC fabrication, and coordinated shop drawings make connection geometry, member reactions, and field installation requirements clear before material reaches the jobsite.
Resources and Downloads
Everything a design team needs to specify, design, and install RedBuilt systems.
Nationwide Manufacturing + Support
RedBuilt manufactures and supports projects nationwide from four U.S. plants, with design centers and in-market technical representatives.
- Chino, CA
- Delaware, OH
- Hillsboro, OR
- Stayton, OR
- Boise, ID
Planning a project?
Our technical sales team is in your market, ready to assist with product selection, spans and ratings, code path, budget pricing, and support from design through installation.