Simpson Strong-Tie Joist Hangers: Types and Uses

For carpenters and construction workers, having a solid foundation for building structures involves understanding where the support comes from and what tools and hardware are required to keep the job flowing smoothly without unnecessary callbacks, while maintaining good structural integrity throughout the entire process.

Joist hangers, for example, are structural connectors that keep floor and ceiling systems solid and code-compliant. Simpson manufactures these galvanized steel hangers to provide reliable load transfer between joists and beams, ensuring your framing stays put under load and meets building standards.

Mounting Types

1. Face-Mount: Attaches to the beam face. Most common and easiest to install.

2. Top-Flange
   Sits on top of the beam. Cleaner look, ideal for trusses and concealed connections.

3. Double-Shear
   Uses angled nailing to boost load capacity for heavy-duty framing.

Match the Hanger to Your Material

1. 2x Lumber (solid-sawn): LUS, HU, HUC series

2. I-Joists/Engineered Lumber: ITS, HIT, MIT series

3. Glulam Beams: GLB, EG, HGUS series

4. Headers: HH series

5. Concrete or Masonry: HMU, MTH series

Installation Must-Knows

1. Use only Simpson Strong-Tie nails or approved structural screws

2. Fill every nail hole unless an engineer specifies otherwise

3. Do not use standard screws or framing nails because of the risk of failure

Corrosion Protection Guide

1. G90 Galvanized: Standard use

2. ZMAX Coating: Required for pressure-treated lumber

3. Stainless Steel: For coastal or high-humidity environments

Load Limits

1. Joist hangers support vertical shear loads only

2. For lateral or uplift forces, use blocking, straps, or engineered solutions.

The most popular standard solid lumber hangers that professionals tend to reach for on residential jobs are the ones below. They work with regular dimensional lumber, which would be sizes like 2x6s, 2x8s, 2x10s, and so on.

 LUS Series

The LUS series uses double-shear nailing, which means the nails go through the hanger at an angle into the joist. This gives you more strength with fewer nails. These hangers are commonly used to secure joists in decks, floors, ceilings, and other load-bearing structures and are the mainstays of deck framing. A LUS26 (for 2x6 joists) can handle 735 lbs, while a LUS210 bumps up to 1,040 lbs.

The LUS is an easy-to-install, economical hanger designed for common lumber sizes. This widely used hanger features double-shear nailing that distributes the load through two points on each joist nail for greater strength. The angled nailing pattern also reduces splitting compared to straight-in nails.

Applications: Deck framing, floor joists, ceiling joists, and other wood-framing applications where solid sawn lumber connections are required.

HU Series

When you need a higher load capacity, HU hangers provide thicker steel construction. They handle the same lumber sizes but can take higher loads. Good for floor systems with longer spans or when you're carrying more weight.

Applications: Heavy-load applications, floor systems with longer spans, commercial construction, and residential applications requiring higher load capacities than standard LUS hangers provide.

HUC Series

Same strength as regular face-mount hangers, but the flanges hide behind the joist for a cleaner look. You'll see these used when the framing stays exposed, like in basements or garages, where appearance matters.

Applications: Exposed beam applications, architectural projects where a clean appearance is important, basement finishing, and decorative structural work where fastener visibility needs to be minimized.

Header hangers make door and window rough openings way easier. Instead of cutting pockets or building complicated supports, you just hang the header in place.

How They Work The HH series comes in sizes for different header lumber - HH4 for 4x headers, HH6 for 6x, and so on up to 12x. They cradle the header from underneath and nail it into the king studs on both sides.

Installation Position the hanger at the right height, nail it to the studs, then drop the header in place. This method provides faster installation than traditional methods, and you get consistent positioning every time.

Load Limits: These are for gravity loads only - the weight of the structure above. They don't handle wind or earthquake loads. In high-wind areas, you might need additional tie-downs.

Lumber is designed to have different dimensions and load characteristics when compared to just solid wood, so it needs specialized hangers. These specialized hangers are created to fit specific applications, all dependant on the project needs and code regulations.

1. ITS Series Top-flange hangers that sit on the beam instead of hanging from the side. The ITS2.06/11.88 fits most common I-joists - 2-1/16" flange width and up to 11-7/8" deep. Load capacity hits around 660 lbs, depending on the specific joist.

• Applications: Engineered I-joist floor systems, manufactured floor trusses, and applications where top-mount installation is preferred for structural or aesthetic reasons.

2. MIT Series These handle a wider range of I-joist sizes and can be either face-mount or top-flang, depending on the model. The MIT411.88 works with 4" flanges and 11-7/8" depth - common on TJI-style joists.

• Applications: Versatile engineered lumber connections, I-joist to beam connections in residential floor systems, and commercial applications requiring precise fit with manufactured lumber dimensions.

3. HIT Series Heavy-duty versions for commercial work or when you need higher load ratings. The HIT318 handles 3-1/8" flanges up to 18" deep, which covers most manufactured floor joists.

• Applications: Commercial construction, multi-story residential buildings, heavy-load floor systems, and applications requiring maximum load capacity from I-joist connections.

When you're working with glulam beams or large engineered lumber, regular hangers won't cut it. These members carry serious loads and need hardware to match.

• GLB Beam Seats These support glulam beams from underneath when they connect to concrete, steel, or masonry. The GLB5A has a 5-1/4" wide opening and sits on a 6" x 8" base plate. The GLB7D opens up to 6-7/8" with an 8" x 9" base.

You'll anchor these into concrete with bolts, then the beam sits in the pocket. The side walls prevent it from rolling over, and it keeps the beam positioned correctly.

Applications: Glulam beam connections to concrete foundations, steel columns, masonry walls, and other structural support points in commercial and residential heavy timber construction.

• EG Series Top-flange hangers for large glulam beams. These weld together heavy steel pieces to handle the concentrated loads that glulam creates. They work for beams up to 18" deep and 8-3/4" wide.

Applications: Heavy timber construction, mass timber buildings, bridge construction, and structural applications requiring top-mount connections for large engineered beams.

• HGUS Series Heavy-duty face-mount hangers with double-shear nailing for glulam applications. The HGUS5.50/10 handles beams up to 5-1/4" wide and 10" deep - typical for residential glulam applications.

Applications: Residential glulam beam connections, custom home construction with exposed beams, and architectural applications where face-mount installation is preferred.

Standard Galvanized (G90) This covers most indoor and outdoor applications. The zinc coating prevents rust under normal conditions. You'll see this on probably 80% of the hangers you install.

ZMAX Coating Required when you're working with treated lumber. The chemicals in ACQ and CA treatments eat through regular galvanizing pretty fast. ZMAX holds up better and prevents premature failure.

Stainless Steel For coastal work, industrial buildings, or anywhere with high humidity and salt exposure. Costs more but lasts indefinitely in harsh conditions.

Fastener Selection

• Important to only use nails that the manufacturer specifies
• Simpson Strong Drive connector nails are designed to meet the requirements for specific joist hangers
• Only use manufacturer-approved structural screws, as standard screws lack the necessary strength

When it comes to choosing fasteners for connecting joist hangers to a piece of joist wood, it's recommended to either nail or hammer them into the wood. The type of fasteners includes specific joist hanger nails.

Installation Overview

1. Select the appropriate size and type of nail for your Simpson Strong-Tie connector

2. Align the connector with the wood or metal surface

3. Drive the nail through the connector holes using a hammer until fully seated

4. Ensure all required nails are installed for maximum load capacity

Common Installation Mistakes

• Overdriving nails can weaken the connection and damage the wood
• Misalignment - joist hangers must be centered appropriately and secured to distribute weight evenly
• Using incorrect fasteners, non-structural screws, or framing nails reduces safety

Fasteners Matter Simpson designs their hangers around specific nail sizes and types. The Strong-Drive SD nails have the right diameter, length, and hardness to develop the published load values. Regular construction screws or framing nails don't make the grade.

Fill the Holes Every nail hole needs a fastener unless you have engineering that says otherwise. Missing even one nail can cut the load capacity significantly. On a LUS hanger, you might go from 735 lbs capacity down to 400 lbs with incomplete nailing.

Alignment The joist should sit flush against the back of the hanger with minimal gaps. If there's space, use shims to get a proper bearing. Gaps reduce load transfer and can cause the connection to fail under load.

Don't Overdrive Nail heads should be flush with the hanger surface. Overdriving weakens the connection and can split the wood. Underdriving leaves the nail proud and reduces the bearing area.

Getting the right hanger size is critical for both safety and code compliance. Here's how to make sure you're picking correctly.

Measuring Your Lumber Always measure the actual lumber dimensions, not the nominal size. A 2x10 actually measures 1-1/2" x 9-1/4", and hangers are sized for actual dimensions. For engineered lumber, check the manufacturer's specifications since dimensions can vary between brands.

Load Calculations Every hanger has published load ratings based on specific conditions. These numbers assume proper installation with the right fasteners and lumber grades. For residential work, typical floor loads run 40 psf live load plus 10 psf dead load. Deck loads vary by code but often require 40 psf live load.

Lumber Grade Factors Higher grade lumber gives you higher connection values. Douglas Fir-Larch and Southern Pine typically provide the best performance. SPF lumber usually has lower ratings. Check the Simpson load tables for your specific lumber grade.

Special Considerations Wet service conditions, temperature extremes, and chemical exposure can affect hanger performance. For outdoor applications, ensure proper drainage around connections. In areas with freeze-thaw cycles, allow for expansion and contraction.

Every Simpson hanger comes with published load tables based on lumber grade, fastener type, and installation method. These numbers include safety factors, so they represent working loads under normal conditions.

Understanding Load Tables Simpson provides detailed capacity tables for each hanger model. These show allowable loads for different lumber grades, fastener configurations, and service conditions. The tables account for the duration of load, with higher values allowed for short-term loads like wind or earthquake.

Safety factors published load values include built-in safety factors, typically ranging from 2.5 to 4, depending on the load type. This means the actual failure load is much higher than the allowable design load.

Building codes require checking multiple load combinations - dead plus live, dead plus wind, dead plus seismic, etc. The hanger must handle the most critical combination for your specific application.

1. Lumber Grades Matter: Southern Pine and Douglas Fir typically give you the highest connection values. SPF lumber usually rates lower. Check the load tables for your specific lumber grade and species. The difference can be significant - sometimes 20% or more.

Load direction joist hangers handle vertical (downward) loads. They're not designed for uplift, lateral loads, or bending moments. In earthquake or high-wind areas, you need additional hardware for those forces.

• When to Call an Engineer: Complex loads, unusual spans, or non-standard applications need professional design. If you're not sure about a connection, it's worth getting it checked rather than guessing.

Understanding where different hangers work best helps you make the right choice for each job.

Deck Framing Face-mount hangers like the LUS series work well for attaching joists to ledger boards. They're fast to install and handle typical deck loads without problems. For deck applications, consider these factors:

1. Ledger board attachment is critical for safety

2. Proper flashing prevents water damage

3. Joist spacing affects hanger selection

4. Local codes may require specific models

Floor Systems I-joist hangers (ITS or MIT series) are standard for manufactured floor joists. The top-flange style keeps the installation clean and provides good load transfer. Floor system considerations include:

1. Longer spans may require heavy-duty hangers

2. Mechanical systems affect joist layout

3. Sound control may influence hangar choice

4. Fire ratings matter in commercial work

Beam Connections When you're hanging one beam from another, glulam hangers provide the strength needed for concentrated loads. Beam seats work well for end connections to columns or walls. Key factors:

1. Load transfer is concentrated at connection points

2. Proper bearing area prevents crushing

3. Lateral stability may require additional bracing

4. Connection details affect overall structural behavior

Roof Framing Rafter and ceiling joist connections use similar hangers to floor systems, but may have different loading requirements. Consider:

1. Snow loads increase connection requirements

2. Wind uplift requires special attention

3. Roof pitch affects load distribution

4. Thermal movement in exposed applications

Getting joist hangers right comes down to three fundamentals: picking the right hanger for your lumber and load requirements, using the specified fasteners, and installing them properly. 

Whether you're hanging 2x10 floor joists with LUS hangers or supporting glulam beams with heavy-duty HGUS hardware, the engineering is already done for you through Simpson's load tables. The key is matching their specifications to your job conditions. Don't cut corners on fasteners or skip nail holes, as these connections are only as strong as their weakest link. 

When you follow the manufacturer's requirements and local building codes, you're delivering structural integrity that will perform up to your standards without fail. For complex applications or unusual loading conditions, bring in an engineer early in the process as the overall cost of a professional design review beats callbacks and safety concerns down the road.