The Ultimate Guide To Tapcon Concrete Screw Anchors

The Buildex Tapcon is a versatile masonry fastener that can be used in solid concrete, brick, block, and even mortar joints. It is designed to deliver superior holding power and can be used for installing sill plates, electrical equipment, and furring strips, among other applications. Tapcon concrete screw anchors are available in different sizes and head styles, making them suitable for a range of anchoring jobs. They are also known for their rust resistance and ease of installation.

Buildex Tapcon concrete screw anchor's Climaseal coating

The Buildex Tapcon is a masonry fastener that can be used in solid concrete, brick, block, and even mortar joints. The Buildex Tapcon screw anchor is coated with a special coating of Climaseal®, which is applied using dip-spin technology. This coating adds extra rust resistance and is coloured blue, giving the Tapcon screw its nickname, "the blue screw".

The Climaseal® coating is standard on all TAPCON® anchors, providing extended corrosion resistance. The blue colour of the coating is distinctive, and while other concrete screws are also blue, none meet the high performance of the original Tapcon in terms of holding values, ease of installation, and rust resistance. The Buildex Tapcon with Climaseal® coating has been tested and meets demanding building codes, including Florida Building Codes, and has been tested by ICC-ES, a widely recognised and trusted testing organisation.

The Buildex Tapcon with Climaseal® coating is available in two diameters: 3/16” and 1/4”. The diameter of the Tapcon to use depends on the diameter of the hole in the fixture being fastened and the holding values required. The 1/4” diameter Tapcon has greater holding strength than the 3/16” diameter Tapcon. The length of the Tapcon also varies, with the 3/16” diameter available in seven lengths and the 1/4” in nine lengths.

To install the Buildex Tapcon with Climaseal® coating, a hole must be pre-drilled into the base material. The depth of the hole should be a minimum of 1/4” deeper than the Tapcon will penetrate to ensure an area for the dust created during the tapping of the threads in the base material. After drilling, the hole should be cleaned of all dust and debris using a wire brush, vacuum, and compressed air. The Buildex Tapcon is then inserted into the hole and turned clockwise until tight.

Buildex Tapcon installation

Buildex Tapcons are concrete screw anchors that are used for fastening into solid concrete, brick, block, and even mortar joints. They are designed for light to medium-duty concrete anchoring jobs and offer superior holding power. Before installing a Buildex Tapcon, it is important to determine the correct size of the Tapcon required for your specific application. The Tapcons are measured in two dimensions: diameter and length. The diameter of the Tapcon to use depends on the diameter of the hole in the fixture being fastened and the holding values required. The length of the Tapcon depends on the thickness of the material being fastened.

To install a Buildex Tapcon, follow these steps:

• Drill a hole in the base material using the proper diameter ANSI standard carbide bit for the chosen Buildex Tapcon. The hammer drill must be set to hammer mode.
• Ensure that the hole is drilled at least 1/4" deeper than the depth that the Buildex Tapcon will penetrate. This extra space allows for the dust created during the tapping of the threads in the base material.
• Clean the hole thoroughly using a wire brush, vacuum, and compressed air to remove all dust and debris.
• Insert the Buildex Tapcon through the hole in the fixture and into the hole in the base material.
• Turn the Buildex Tapcon clockwise until the head of the screw is tight against the surface of the material being fastened.

The Buildex Tapcons are available in two different head styles: the hex slotted washer head and the flat Phillips countersunk head. The length of the Tapcon is measured differently for each head style. For the hex slotted washer head, the length is measured from underneath the head, while for the flat Phillips countersunk head, the length includes the head.

It is important to note that Buildex Tapcons require a pre-drilled hole in the base material before installation. They are not self-drilling or self-tapping screws. The correct hole size is critical to obtaining the proper holding values. The Tapcons should be embedded into the base material with a minimum depth of 1" and a maximum depth of 1-3/4".

Buildex Tapcon's versatility

Buildex Tapcons are a versatile type of masonry fastener. They can be used in solid concrete, brick, and block, as well as in the mortar joints between the brick and block. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, from installing sill plates and electrical equipment to anchoring toilet flanges, furring strips, and electrical boxes.

The Buildex Tapcon is designed to deliver superior holding power in all forms of masonry. Its advanced WERCS thread form turns any anchoring job into a fast and easy process, requiring 30% less torque and providing 20% more holding power. The Tapcon screw taps its threads into concrete, making it a good alternative to expansion anchors, plugs, and lag shields.

The Buildex Tapcon is available in two diameters: 3/16” and 1/4”. The 1/4” diameter Tapcon offers greater holding strength in both shear and pullout compared to the 3/16” diameter. The length of the Tapcon screw ranges from 1-3/4” to 2-3/4”, and the appropriate length depends on the thickness of the material being fastened and the embedment depth into the base material.

Buildex Tapcons are also available in two different head styles: the hex slotted washer head and the flat Phillips countersunk head. The hex slotted washer head is designed for applications where the head of the screw is on top of the surface of the material being fastened, while the flat Phillips countersunk head is designed for applications where the head of the screw is even with the surface.

The Buildex Tapcon has been tested and meets demanding building codes, including Florida Building Codes. It has also been tested by ICC-ES, a widely recognized and trusted testing organization, further demonstrating its versatility and reliability for various construction projects.

Buildex Tapcon's head styles

The Buildex Tapcon screw is a versatile masonry fastener that can be used in solid concrete, brick, block, and mortar joints. It is available in two head styles, each designed for specific applications:

Hex Slotted Washer Head Tapcon

The hex slotted washer head Tapcon is used when the head of the screw will be on top of the surface of the material being fastened. The length of this head style is measured from underneath the head.

Flat Phillips Countersunk Head Tapcon

The flat Phillips countersunk head Tapcon is designed for applications where the head of the screw is flush with the surface of the material being fastened. The length of this style includes the head.

Both head styles are available in two diameters: 3/16" and 1/4", with a variety of lengths to meet most application requirements. The diameter of the Tapcon screw to use depends on the diameter of the hole in the fixture being fastened and the holding values required. The 1/4" diameter has greater holding strength in both shear and pullout than the 3/16" diameter.

Buildex Tapcon's length

The Buildex Tapcon is a masonry fastener that can be used in solid concrete, brick, block, and even in the mortar joints between the brick and block. It is available in two diameters: 3/16" and 1/4", with the 3/16" diameter available in seven lengths and the 1/4" in nine lengths. The length of the Tapcon screw anchor to use depends on the thickness of the material being fastened and the embedment depth into the base material.

The minimum length of the Tapcon screw anchor to use is determined by adding the thickness of the material being fastened to the minimum embedment of 1". For example, if you are fastening a material that is 1/2" thick, the minimum length of the Tapcon screw anchor required would be 1-1/2" (1/2" + 1").

The maximum length of the Tapcon screw anchor to use is calculated by adding the thickness of the fixture to the maximum embedment depth of 1-3/4". For instance, if you are fastening a 1/2" thick material, the maximum length of the Tapcon screw anchor that can be used is 2-1/4" (1/2" + 1-3/4").

It is important to note that the length of the Tapcon is measured differently based on the head style. For the hex slotted washer-headed Tapcons, the length is measured from underneath the head, while the flat Phillips countersunk Tapcon is measured as an overall length, including the head.

Frequently asked questions