what color are concrete screws

by Kelli Dach Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Tapcons are coated with a special rust-resistant material called Climaseal®. The Climaseal coating is blue and is a distinctive product identifier. Most generic concrete screws use a blue color to identify their screw, which can mislead the customers into thinking that the screws are Tapcons.

What color are cement screws?

Maonsry screws, Concrete screws, Tapcon screws, or Anchor screws are what you'll need to fasten to concrete. These screws have special threading for tapping holes in concrete and typically have a blue coating on them.

How do you tell if a screw is a concrete screw?

If the screw head will be on top of the material then a hex washer head should be used. Concrete screws have alternating high and low threads. The lead thread on the masonry screw does all the cutting of the masonry material while the screw is being installed.

Are concrete screws blue?

Blue coated anchor screws are used to attach materials to concrete, concrete block or brick. Concrete anchor screws are ACQ Treated Lumber compatible.

What color are masonry screws?

Masonry screws are manufactured from carbon steel that has a blue coating or from a 410 stainless steel which also has a protective coating. The standard blue coated masonry screw is for use in indoor applications where moisture is not present.

What do concrete screws look like?

Concrete screws, commonly known by the tradename Tapcon, look like wood screws, but feature high–low threads that bite tightly to the sides of the hole.Nov 9, 2020

Why are Tapcon screws blue?

Tapcon+ unmatched performance in concrete, block and brick applications make them an excellent alternative to expansion anchors, plugs, lag shields and have a blue corrosion resistant coating that enables them to withstand the harshest conditions.

What do blue screws mean?

Blued screws are part of a heat treatment process

The tempering imparts tangible benefits to the metal aside from the color change. The fact that the screw turns blue is more of a secondary aesthetic benefit. The key reason to heat treat the steel screws is to increase hardness.Oct 16, 2021

What are blue screws for?

The standard blue Climaseal® Tapcon® screw are a light duty masonry anchor primarily used in dry indoor applications for attaching items to concrete, brick or block. They can be used in applications ranging from attaching 2x4 lumber to concrete, a light fixture to brick, or furring strips to a block wall.

What are blue coated screws used for?

Construction Fixings. CONFAST® hex head concrete screw – often called 'blue screw' due to the blue coating that helps the screw resist rust – is designed to be used when the screw head can protrude above the surface of the item being fastened – allowing for the removal of the screw.Oct 30, 2018

What screws do you use for concrete?

Use Hex Head Screws Where Appearance Isn't an Issue

Concrete screws are available with either flat head Phillips or hex heads. In situations where the screw head must be flush to the surface (furring strips under drywall), or where a Phillips head would look nicer, use the Phillips head screws.Jun 11, 2021

What are the best screws for concrete?

For that reason, the best concrete screws are either stainless steel, galvanized, or zinc coated. Many are simply coated with a corrosion-resistant layer, which is usually blue. These materials do better in damp conditions and resist the moisture present in concrete surfaces.Apr 5, 2022

Can I use blue concrete screws in wood?

I've been enlightened by the great Stumpy Nubs on the viability of drywall screws. Then, concrete screws are often heavier in diameter and thread depth, so they'll grab the wood in your studs just fine. Even if they're lighter-duty 3/16" screws they'll be ok if you use enough for the load.Jul 19, 2019

What are masonry screws made of?

Masonry or concrete screws are manufactured from steel. The standard blue Climaseal® coated Tapcon® is made from low-grade carbon steel. The stainless steel Tapcon® is manufactured from a 410 stainless steel that is coated with silver Climaseal®. The standard large diameter Tapcon® or LDT has an anchor body made from Grade 5 hardened carbon steel that is zinc plated. The stainless steel LDT is made from a 410 stainless steel with no added coating. The unique feature for all of the Tapcon® is that the threads are hardened allowing them to cut into very abrasive masonry without hardening the anchor body.

Where are Tapcon screws made?

Concrete masonry screws are manufactured in the United States under the brand name Tapcon® and are sold by Concrete Fastening Systems™, Inc. The threads are designed with Advance Threadform Technology™ to allow for easier installation and less required torque for installation.

What size tapcon do I need for a masonry wall?

Both the standard blue and the stainless steel Tapcon® come in two diameters of 3/16” and 1/4”. They require a predrilled hole in the masonry to be 5/32” and 3/16” respectively. The Large Diameter Tapcon (LDT) carbon steel come in diameters of 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4” with bit requirements of 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2” and 5/8”. The stainless steel LDT is available in diameters of 3/8” and 1/2”, requiring a 5/16” and a 3/8” bit. The hole in the masonry must be drilled using a bit that meets ANSI standard B212.15-1994.

What is the difference between a 3/16 and 1/4 tapcon?

The 3/16” and 1/4” Tapcon® come with a hex washer head and a flat countersunk Phillips, while the LDT is only available in a hex washer head and is serrated.

Diameters of Blue Screws

The standard blue screw comes in two diameters of 3/16” and 1/4” while large diameter Tapcons comes in of 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4”. The diameter of the blue screw to use for any application is determined by the holding values required, by the diameter of the hole in the fixture or if an engineer has specified it.

Lengths of Blue Screw

The blue screws come in different lengths ranging from 1-1/4” to 6”. The length of the blue screw to use for any application depends on the thickness of the material being fastened and the embedment depth. To determine the minimum length of blue screws to use, add the thickness of the material to the minimum embedment depth of 1”.

Embedment

Minimum Embedment - the minimum embedment depth for the 3/16” and 1/4” blue screw is 1”. Both these diameters must be installed into the base material at least 1” for the blue concrete screw to obtain minimum holding values.

Diameter of Hole

Each diameter of blue screw requires a specific diameter hole be drilled into the base material. Holes size is critical for the blue screw to have holding values and must be drilled using a hammer drill with a carbide-tipped drill bit that meets ANSI standards.

Depth of Hole

The hole must be drilled to a depth of 1/4” deeper than the blue screw will penetrate the base material. This leaves space for any dust to fall into that is created during the installation process. As the blue screw is inserted into the hole, the lead threads tap threads into the base material.

Size of Head

The size of the head determines the size of the socket that must be used to install the blue screw. Both diameters of blue screw have a different head size and socket size. The flat head Phillips tapcon requires a #2-bit tip for the 3/16” diameter and a #3-bit tip for the 1/4”.

INSTALLATION

Use the hammer drill and 5/32” carbide tipped drill for the 3/16” diameter blue screw and a 3/16” carbide tipped drill bit for the 1/4” tapcon. The bit must meet ANSI standards.

What is concrete screw?

What are concrete screws used for? Simply put, self tapping screws will tap their own head which means they will need a small hole drilled ahead of a full-sized hole as a guide, otherwise known as a pilot hole. With that in place, you can drive the tapping screw into the material and the threads will dig in to keep the fixing secure.

How deep should a concrete screw be driven?

However, to ensure a secure fixing the screw should be driven in at a minimum of at least one inch deep . It’s essential to make the pilot hole deeper than the length of your concrete screws to ensure that when the concrete screws are cutting threads there is room for any dust coming from the concrete or brick.

What is a concrete rod hanger?

Concrete screws rod hangers are concrete screws that have been designed specifically for overhead rod applications. Just like other self-tapping screws, concrete screws rod hangers are ideal for concrete fixing and are approved by the European Technical Approval for cracked concrete and non-cracked concrete.

Why are bits smaller than screws?

Bits are always smaller than screws because you will use these to drill the pilot hole, which needs to be smaller than the actual screw in order to allow the concrete screws to cut its own threads as it is driven in. Drill the pilot hole, clean it out and place the concrete screws within.

How deep do you drill a concrete screw?

How deep do you drill for concrete screws? The average depth to drill your concrete screws is typically ¼ inch deeper than the length of your screw. You should not drill your pilot hole any deeper than ¾ inch to avoid shearing off the head of your screw.

Can tapping screws be driven into material?

With that in place, you can drive the tapping screw into the material and the threads will dig in to keep the fixing secure. These handy screws are favoured by contractors, electricians, and plumbers for many applications due to their durability, protection against rust, ease of installation and the secure holding they provide in all instances ...

Do concrete screws need pilot holes?

Unlike self-drilling screws which do not need pilot holes due to their drill bit end, self-tapping screws like concrete screws do require the user to mark a spot for the pilot hole. Once that’s done it’s simply a case of attaching the right drill bit which depends on the size of your screw: Bits are always smaller than screws because you will use ...

What are concrete screws used for?

Concrete screws are very versatile and are ideal for use in both light and medium duty fastening applications. These screws come in a variety of sizes and styles that are easy and fast to install. After installation, concrete screws can be removed without disturbing the base material. These screws can also be installed close to an edge. The different lengths can be used in applications when the fastening material has a thickness of up to 5". This wide range of lengths allows the screws to be used in many applications including studs, plywood, electrical boxes, exterior insulation systems and door bucks.

Why is it important to use concrete screws?

It is important to use the correct type of concrete screw to ensure that the application and installation is executed correctly and safely.

What is color hardener?

Color hardeners are often used for stamped concrete. They are applied to the surface of freshly placed concrete and offer more intense colors. Learn more about color hardeners. Concrete dyes produce vibrant color that enhances new or old concrete.

What colors do concrete come in?

But you can also color concrete blue, orange, green, black or other colors. Plus, many concrete contractors can blend custom colors exactly to your liking.

Can you use stain on old concrete?

Stains can be used on both new and old concrete. Learn more about concrete stain colors. Integral color infuses new concrete with rich, long-lasting, fade-resistant color. Pigments are added to the concrete mix before it is poured. Learn more about integral color. Color hardeners are often used for stamped concrete.