Anchors

What are Anchors?

Anchors are fasteners that create holding power in base materials where a standard screw or bolt would not grip on its own. Used in concrete, block, brick, drywall, plaster, wood, steel, and composites, anchors convert a drilled hole or expansion action into reliable pull-out and shear capacity.

Anchors

Wedge Anchors

Stud-type expansion anchors for solid concrete that lock in place as a clip expands against the hole when the nut is tightened, giving some of the highest holding values for heavy-duty fastening.

Sleeve Anchors

Versatile expansion anchors whose sleeve expands against the base material, working in concrete, brick, and block for light to medium-duty holds.

Screw Anchors

Self-tapping masonry anchors that cut their own threads into a pre-drilled hole in concrete, brick, or block for a removable, anchor-free hold.

Drop In Anchors / Threaded Anchors

Internally threaded female anchors set flush in solid concrete, expanded with a setting tool to accept a bolt or threaded rod, common for overhead work.

Anchors for Drywall & Plaster

Anchors that grip thin, hollow wall material like drywall and plaster, spreading load behind the surface where studs aren't available.

Strike Anchors

Stud-type anchors for solid concrete that expand when struck, giving consistent protrusion and a clean, uniform finished look across multiple anchors.

Hammer Drive Anchors

One-piece or pin-and-sleeve anchors driven with a hammer, expanding in the hole to fasten fixtures to masonry and concrete quickly.

Lag Shields

Internally threaded expansion anchors that accept a lag screw and expand in masonry or stone, available in short and long styles for hard or soft base material.

Zinc Plated Steel

Anchors for Wet Concrete (Blue Banger Hanger®)

Drop-in-style anchors designed to be hammered into freshly poured or green concrete, setting a threaded hanger point for overhead fixtures.

Anchors for Steel

Anchors designed to fasten into or onto steel framing and structural members.

Anchors for Wood

Anchors and inserts that create a strong threaded or expanding hold in wood.

Adhesive Anchors

Threaded rod or rebar set into a drilled hole with epoxy or chemical adhesive for high-strength bonds in concrete and masonry.

What are anchors used for?

Securing fixtures, rails, machinery, cabinets, and infrastructure to concrete and masonry
Hanging equipment or hardware on drywall and hollow walls without framing contact
Mounting to steel plate or structural members where a thread needs to be created
Bonding studs and threaded rod with adhesives for high capacity or near-edge installs

Which type of anchor do I need?

Concrete and masonry: wedge anchors, sleeve anchors, drop-in anchors, screw anchors
Drywall and plaster: toggle bolts, hollow-wall anchors, self-drilling drywall anchors
Wood and light masonry: lag shields and specialty expansion anchors
Steel: thread-forming and thread-cutting anchors for plate and structural members
Adhesive: bonded anchors for high loads, reduced edge distance, or when vibration is severe

How do I size an anchor? (inch and metric)

Match the anchor diameter to the required load and fixture hole, for example 1/4 in or M8
Select length based on fixture thickness plus embedment depth required by the anchor style
Use the specified drill bit size and hole depth so expansion or thread engagement works correctly
Consider edge distance and spacing to avoid concrete breakout or wall damage

Materials and finishes for anchors

Carbon steel, zinc plated

Economical choice for dry, indoor environments.

Hot dip galvanized steel

Thick zinc layer suited to outdoor structural work in concrete and masonry.

Stainless steel 304 and 316

Corrosion resistance for wet, coastal, or chemically aggressive settings. Choose 316 near saltwater.

Adhesives and capsules

Formulated resins that bond studs or threaded rod into drilled holes for high tensile loads and reduced edge distance.

Installation tips for reliable anchoring

Use the correct drill bit type and diameter for the base material and anchor
Clean holes of dust with brushing and blowing before setting expansion or adhesive anchors
Tighten to the recommended torque so expansion components seat properly
Respect cure times for adhesives and verify embedment depth for mechanical anchors

Anchors vs screws into base material what should I know?

Anchors are designed to create holding power where the base material alone will not. In concrete and masonry, expansion anchors or adhesive systems carry the load. In drywall and hollow walls, toggling or spreading mechanisms support the fixture without a stud. In steel, thread-forming anchors create the threads needed for a secure connection.