What are lag bolts and lag screws?
They are secured to the underlayment with lag bolts. Even though they’re just screws to us, there are, in fact, different types of screws. Wood screws, sheet metal screws, and self-tapping screws are only a few. There is no difference between lag bolts and lag screws.
What is the minimum thread length for a lag screw?
The minimum thread length shall be equal to one-half the nominal screw length plus 1/2″ or 6”, whichever is less. One should consider longer than standard thread lengths for lag screws which are extremely long. Note: Hex lag screws larger than 3/4″ in diameter and all square lag screws are rarely available in the marketplace as a stock item.
What is a laglag?
Lags are fasteners installed by turning the head to thread into the wood, and they don’t use a nut. This means that the proper term is “lag screw,” which could have either a hex or square head. The term “lag bolt” is technically incorrect.
What is a hex head lag screw?
The hex head lag screw is designed that way since hex headed fasteners are made to hold up in applications where a lot of torque is necessary. Lag screws have sharp lead thread points and are available in Steel/Zinc, Stainless Steel, and Steel/Hot Dip Galvanized.

What is the purpose of a lag screw?
Also commonly known as lag bolts, lag screws are some of the toughest fasteners. These extremely sturdy fasteners are usually used to connect heavy lumber or other heavy materials that are bearing an intense load. These screws differ from normal wood, self-drilling or sheet metal screws.
What's the difference between a lag bolt and a regular bolt?
A bolt is properly assembled and tightened by rotating the nut. A screw, on the other hand, is a fastener that is properly installed by rotating the head of the fastener. Since lags are not used with a nut and installed by turning the head of the fastener, the proper technical term would be “lag screw”.
What makes a bolt a lag bolt?
What Are Lag Screws Used For? Lag screws are often used in construction to fasten pieces of lumber together. A lag bolt provides a longer-lasting connection due to its length and is used for materials that may be subjected to a massive force or will bear a heavy load.
What is the difference between a lag and a hex bolt?
Lag screws are sturdy and often have an externally driven square or hex drive head, and features coarse threads and a tapered point. Lag screws are much more heavy-duty than other wood screws that are fitted with slotted or Pozidriv heads.
Do you pre drill for lag screws?
You must drill pilot holes so that you do not splinter the wood or damage the lag screw. Any screw with a large diameter needs a pilot hole for easier and quicker installation. Drilling a pilot hole ensures that your lag screw won't break when you install it with a power drill.
Do lag bolts weaken studs?
This perpendicular bean gives the threads the full thickness of a stud to screw into as it would in a residential wall. My results were as follows: Traditional lag bolt easily stripped out the stud and lost traction.
Are lag bolts stronger than screws?
Structural screws (also called “construction” screws) are stronger than lags and make longer-lasting connections. You can just zip them in with any 18-volt drill (no pilot hole required).
Will lag bolts hold in metal?
Lag bolts CANNOT hold weight when fastened through a metal stud. Unlike wood, metal studs do not catch the lag bolts teeth. Metal studs are hollow. The gauge of the metal studs used for internal walls is usually 25AWG.
Why are wood screws not threaded all the way?
If a wood screw was threaded all the way up, it would overheat and snap.
Do lag bolts need anchors?
Installing a lag screw into concrete is not a difficult process but it does require an anchor to install properly. Lag shields are concrete anchors that expand near the bottom to hold the shield inside of a drilled hole.
Should you use washers with lag screws?
Do lag bolts need washers? We highly recommend using washers with lag bolts. Washers increase the surface area in contact with the wood or application surface, reducing the chances of the hex head digging into the wood and cracking it while also making the assembly more secure.
How far should a lag screw go into wood?
4.6 the minimum penetration (not including the length of the tapered tip) of the lag screw into the main member for single shear connections or the side member for double shear connections shall be four times the diameter, Pmin = 4Ø. A 1/2″ lag screw would therefore need roughly 4 * 1/2″ = 2″ penetration.
What can you use instead of lag bolts?
Structural screws (also called “construction” screws) are stronger than lags and make longer-lasting connections. You can just zip them in with any 18-volt drill (no pilot hole required).
Which is stronger lag screw or bolt?
Lag Screw. Lag bolt heads are hexagonal or square. The lag bolt is essentially a longer and stronger version of the ordinary wood screw, though its head is driven using a wrench or socket.
What is stronger carriage bolt or lag bolt?
Carriage bolts have stronger than lag screws and can have far greater weight-bearing capacity. Since they don't have pointed tips, they're unlikely to pierce through wood, even when improperly installed.
What does lag bolt mean?
Definition of lag screw (Entry 1 of 2) : a screw having a wrench head and woodscrew threads terminating in a point. — called also lag bolt.
What is a Lag Screw?
Lag screws, often incorrectly called lag bolts, are tough screws used to attach pieces of wood together in load-bearing applications. They’re incredibly tough, and only a part of the shaft is threaded. This partial threading allows you to adjust the screw to suit the application.
Lag Bolt vs. Lag Screw
What are lag bolts? The terms “lag bolt” and “lag screw” are often used interchangeably, and they usually mean the same thing. However, the a screw and bolt are not the same. Technically, “bolt” refers to a fastener with a machine thread and accepts a nut, which should be fastened to secure the bolt.
Lag Screws vs. Structural Screws
Structural screws are new to the market and are fast replacing traditional lag screws. These structural screws tend to be stronger than their lag counterparts and can make longer-lasting connections.
Lag Screw vs. Wood Screw
Self-tapping woodscrews are hailed as the latest alternative for lag screws in load-bearing wooden construction. Installing lag screws is time-consuming since they require a two-step pilot hole before installation. Self-tapping wood screws, in contrast, don’t require pilot holes at all.
Carriage Bolt vs. Lag Screw
Lag screws and carriage bolts are used in construction, and both are typically treated to be corrosion resistant. However, they’re not the same and generally can’t be used interchangeably.
What Are Lag Bolts?
They do this because lag bolts are heavy-duty bolts with threads that grip the medium when a hole has first been drilled. This is called self-tapping. The tapered point or gimlet point of the bolt helps pull the bolt into the hole and secure its threads.
Why do lag bolts have a tapered point?
This is called self-tapping. The tapered point or gimlet point of the bolt helps pull the bolt into the hole and secure its threads. Lag bolts sport a hex head which is where the label hex lag screw originates.
What Media Use Lag Bolts?
Roofing and lam beams aren’t the only media requiring bolts that can hold a lot of weight. Let’s say you want to add a deck to your house. Decks offer family time and enjoyment of fun in the sun, outdoor cooking, and friendly gatherings. They add value to a house. How to secure a deck to the house? Joints are attached to the house upon which the surface of the deck will be built. The joints are secured by lag bolts.
How to measure lag bolt?
Measure the width of the two media you’re using. The lag bolt you choose should be ¼ inch shorter than the combined width of the pieces. Generally, 5/16 inch bolts should do the job, but if the medium is heavier, then top with a 3/8 inch bolt.
Do Lag Bolts Need Pilot Holes?
Yes. The trick to getting the best fit between bolt and hole is to drill the pilot hole smaller than the bolt. This ensures the threads of the bolt will dig into the wood for a solid hold. Now, we consider the types of wood: soft and hardwoods:
What is a hex lag screw?
Hex lag screws are large wood screws. Although the term “lag bolt” is often used to describe this product, technically they are a screw since lags are installed in wood by rotating the six-sided head. The lag thread is deeper and sharper than national coarse thread since it is designed to drive into wood and not to be used with a nut.
What is a nonstandard lag screw?
A common, nonstandard lag screw manufactured by Portland Bolt is designed for radial reinforcement of glulam beams.
What size bolts are used for lag screws?
Portland Bolt manufactures lag screws from 1/2″ diameter through 1-1/2″ diameter in most ASTM, AASHTO, and SAE specifications. Special tooling can be created to produce nonstandard head dimensions or bolt heads with your company’s name and/or logo.
What is a lag screw?
A lag screw, known in the UK as a coach screw, is a sturdy screw often with an externally driven square or hex drive head.
What is the standard size for lag screws?
Typical sizes available are from 1/4″ to 3/4″ diameter, and 1″ to 16″ in length. Steel and stainless steel are the most common materials for lag screws. Steel screws are often finished with hot-dip galvanizing or zinc plating.

What Is A Lag Screw?
- Lag screws, often incorrectly called lag bolts, are tough screws used to attach pieces of wood together in load-bearing applications. They’re incredibly tough, and only a part of the shaft is threaded. This partial threading allows you to adjust the screw to suit the application. They don’t use a nut and washer, as is the case with carriage bolts, ...
Lag Bolt vs. Lag Screw
- What are lag bolts? The terms “lag bolt” and “lag screw” are often used interchangeably, and they usually mean the same thing. However, the a screw and bolt are not the same. Technically, “bolt” refers to a fastener with a machine thread and accepts a nut, which should be fastened to secure the bolt. Screws are fastened by rotating the head, allowing the thread to penetrate in the materi…
Lag Screws vs. Structural Screws
- Structural screws are new to the market and are fast replacing traditional lag screws. These structural screws tend to be stronger than their lag counterparts and can make longer-lasting connections. Structural screws don’t require a pilot hole, which saves a lot of time during construction and minimizes the number of tools and drill bits you lug along on site. Fastening st…
Lag Screw vs. Wood Screw
- Self-tapping woodscrews are hailed as the latest alternative for lag screws in load-bearing wooden construction. Installing lag screws is time-consuming since they require a two-step pilot hole before installation. Self-tapping wood screws, in contrast, don’t require pilot holes at all. These new screws are tipped with specially engineered drill points and optimized thread designs…
Carriage Bolt vs. Lag Screw
- Lag screws and carriage bolts are used in construction, and both are typically treated to be corrosion resistant. However, they’re not the same and generally can’t be used interchangeably. Lag screws (often incorrectly referred to as lag bolts) have a tapered thread, round neck, and hexagonal head. They add structural strength and can be directly screwed into the material with…