Steel substructures also continue their slow growth. “We’re hearing more about metal framing,” says National Nail’s Groenhout. “We’re seeing slow growth in the market. We realize we need to be positioned well to take advantage of that market, and we’re working toward that goal. It’s not a big part of the market yet, but it’s growing. People are spending a lot more on their deck boards today, and they want a substructure that will last as long. As decks use higher-end products, we’re going to see more interest in steel substructures.”
Starborn’s Gertner agrees. “Sales of deck screws for metal framing have been growing steadily for several years, and now they’re moving faster than ever. Sales are being driven by growing awareness among builders and homeowners of the benefits of metal framing.” Starborn recently introduced a fastener variation designed to attach 2-inch decking to metal framing. “It’s still a relatively small market, but it’s got a lot of potential, especially in commercial and high-end residential projects.”
The Tie-Master Multipurpose Wood Fastener from Grabber Construction Products offers an ICC-ES Evaluation Report that evaluated the fasteners for structural and corrosion-resistance in construction projects. They are used for wood-to-wood connections and may be used when a design is submitted in accordance with [glossary]IRC Section R301.1.3[/glossary] |
Quality is Rising
The variety of options and new applications are causing customers to more closely evaluate their choices. “People are paying more attention to the quality of the products being used and ensuring they match,” says Grabber’s Wulfenstein. “They’re spending more on materials, and they want the fasteners to maintain that appearance and offer more longevity. They can see the differences in different types of fasteners, be it nails, screws or hidden fasteners.”
“Builders are looking for the best value,” says PrimeSource’s Sundholm. “They don’t want the cheapest, because they know problems can arise and they’ll get call-backs.” Maze’s Pohl agrees. “Manufacturers are recommending hot-dipped galvanized or stainless-steel nails for their products.”