As a passionate DIYer, I’ve worked with a variety of materials to date.
And concrete has undoubtedly been the most challenging to deal with. Especially attaching various kinds of fixtures to the concrete walls at home. Often the hooks and hangers I used for the purpose loosened with time, and I was back to square one!
That's when I thought of conducting some research on a truly effective solution for this issue and found out that concrete anchors would do the trick.
However, that was only half the battle won since these anchors were available in different types. I still needed to figure out the ideal ones for my job. That’s why I had to delve deeper and then choose the ones that seemed suitable.
And thankfully, each of the anchors turned out to be perfect for my fixtures. Since then, I’ve been using concrete anchors throughout, and they’ve always been spot on.
Hi! I’m Stacy, and today I’ll be telling you about what are the different types of concrete anchors out there. So, let’s get started, shall we?
6 Most Common Types Of Concrete Anchors
First of all, you should know that the primary difference between the various types of concrete anchors lies in their installation and design.
And each type is further classified as female or male based on how it’s fastened into the concrete. As for male anchors, they are fastened using a washer and nut and are inserted through the object you’re fastening. In contrast, female anchors are inserted into the hole first, and the fixture is then positioned over the hole and ultimately secured by a bolt.
Now, let’s have a look at the six common types of concrete anchors.
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- Standard Size - M8 * 106mm(5/16" X 4-3/16") expansion eyebolt, they can approximately hold 375lb/170KG weight. warm tips: please choose a 12 mm drill bit to drill hole.
- Premium Material - Concrete wall hook made of 100% 304 stainless steel,smooth surface without burrs, durable and rustproof.
- Easy to Install - Expansion is created by tightening a threaded bolt which draws a tapered cone expanding a sleeve against the walls of the hole.
1. Concrete Sleeve Anchor
This anchor is actually a fastener with a threaded bolt that comes enveloped by a sleeve on its top and a washer and nut at the bottom. Note that the anchor is threaded through the fixture into the hole drilled in a concrete surface.
After you turn the nut on the bolt, the latter is pulled up through the sleeve. As a result, the sleeve flares out by about ⅛ inches, creating the desired hold on the concrete surface.
The feature of concrete sleeve anchors that really appealed to me was the versatility. You can use these anchors for both light and heavy-duty fastening. Thus, be it fixing a radiator at home or securing decking joists, these will serve the purpose most efficiently.
2. Lag Shield Anchor
Next, let’s talk about this screw-style anchor that consists of a slightly tapered and ribbed sleeve made from zinc alloy. It can fit into a pre-drilled hole in concrete quite easily. Remember that it must be used only with lag screws, so you should have these at home if you’re willing to install this type.
As a lag screw enters the sleeve of the anchor to expand it, the thread is ripped, and the outer wall of the shield is pressed against the concrete base.
Keep in mind that the anchors are designated as long or short on the basis of the diameter of the bolt driven into the anchor. While the long one provides a better hold in less dense and softer materials, the shorter shield anchor is more suitable for denser and harder materials.
The latter also helps in reducing the drilling time in the case of denser materials. Thus, you should go for the shorter variety when you’re working on a concrete surface.
3. Drop-in Anchor
This variety consists of two components, viz. expander plug and an anchor body, and is primarily used for heavy-duty applications.
However, homeowners who need to create a strong and reusable thread in concrete will also find it useful. When installed in any concrete structure, the plug makes the anchor expand inside the pre-drilled hole. And the resulting friction keeps the anchor in place permanently.
You must note here that drop-in anchors are suitable only for use in solid concrete. I had once mistakenly attempted to use it on brick, only to find that the fixture wasn’t very effective. So, make sure you’re careful in this regard.
4. Wedge Concrete Anchor
As the name suggests, these anchors have wedges that expand up to 1/16 inches at their base when you tighten the bolt on the fixture. Its overall design consists of two adjoining pieces, one threaded on the top and a clip along with the wedges on the lower part.
This variety offers ultimate strength and corrosion resistance, ensuring that heavy objects are secured firmly on any concrete surface. This is why I could comfortably use it for holding a bike rack with a capacity of four bikes on the balcony wall.
5. Machine Screw Anchor
These anchors come with a cylindrical base that must be inserted into the pre-drilled hole in concrete to create an effective connection.
You’ll have to thread an anchor screw through the fixture and ultimately into the hole. As the screw enters the base, the latter expands to secure the position of the anchor in the hole. On a side note, make sure you always use a setting tool for turning the screw. Plus, the hole drilled should be larger than the anchor you’re using.
6. Strike Anchor
Used for relatively lightweight fixtures, this male anchor has a tube-shaped body capped by a pin extending from its casing.
Once the anchor is inserted into a hole, the pinhead drives further into the tube as you strike with a hammer. As a result, the tube expands and creates the desired hold. Note that the diameter of the hole you’ll have to drill must be the same as the strike anchor.
Final Words
So, here was my roundup on the common concrete anchors you can find on the market. I’m sure you’re getting the hang of it now.
But if you still feel confused about the type that’ll be suitable for the purpose, I’d suggest noting the weight of the fixture that you want to fasten. This way, you can choose the anchor which can carry the weight comfortably.
That’s about it for today. I’ll be back with more guides soon. Till then, take care!