Justin from J. Steuart Builders is building a high-end house for his client at Wainui, Auckland. One of the great features of this house is the exposed decorative rafters in each room. Each rafter is individually crafted and installed by the builder. The challenge for Justin was selecting a fastener that had the clamping force he needed but was discreet and easy to install.

When it comes to structural fastening, Simpson Strong-Tie is a global leader in the field. When Justin came to Simpson, he was introduced to the ESCRC Engineered Timber Screws and SDWC Truss Screws.

The ESCRC is a countersunk head screw designed to connect two or more timber members together with high pull-out resistance. The countersunk head gives flush-fitting while allowing the timber members to close up firmly. It features a T40 6-lobe drive and the knurling allows smooth driving.

The Strong Drive SDWC Truss Screw provides a truss and rafter-to-top plate connection as well as a method to fasten stud-to-top and bottom plate. The fully-threaded shank engages the entire length of the fastener, providing a secure connection.

The SDWC uplift values listed were analysed and calculated based on the characteristic values determined following AS1649-2001 (Timber-Methods of Test for Mechanical Fasteners and Connectors-Basic Working Loads and Characteristic Strength). The SDWC has also been tested in accordance with ICC-ES AC233 (screw) and AC13 (wall assembly and roof-to-wall assembly) for uplift and lateral loads between wall plates and vertical wall framing and between the top plate and the roof rafters or trusses.

Simpson Strong-Tie never sees the builders so happy as when they work at height installing exposed rafters with these screws. “You know it is a Simpson product, it is kind of a feeling that you have someone backing you up,” Justin said. “The installation made our job so much easier. When we attached the rafter onto the ceiling, one guy held it, and the other guy just drove the screw in.”

The team has spent over a year fine-tuning and crafting this house, enjoy viewing the images.