Choosing the Right Wall Anchor for Your Project. From my research on the web, it is recommended that I go with composite planks instead of wood due to rotting issues associated with attaching wood directly to concrete. Don't drill any closer than 4 inches (10 cm) from the concrete's edge, if possible. Step 2 Insert a masonry bit that is 5/8-inch in diameter and at least 12 inches long into a hammer drill. Once you've determined the right method for your project, you can easily fasten wood and concrete objects! The Mayo's in Roan Mountain, TN. Hello, I have a concrete side porch and steps (a stoop, really) that is cru... Options for replacing subfloor on pier and beam. These holes will be a guideline for the screws and allow you to screw them into place. You need to make certain when using mortar nails that your nails are long enough to penetrate through your wood and at least ½ inch into the concrete. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The layer of wood you place over the top of the concrete steps can also make them stronger. In a pinch, you can also use a syringe blower to remove the dust. The first step is framing it in. I created a 6x6 deck off the back door. When the lower floor is made of concrete, you will need a special fastener to attach the wood to it unless one has already been embedded for this purpose. It does a better job of drawing the wood to the concrete for a tight fit. Copyright© They are know by other names in other countries) are the ideal anchor for attaching almost anything to solid masonry such as concrete. Always wear eye protection while drilling or nailing into concrete to prevent flying stone chips from injuring your eyes. How to. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. I'd like to add a hand rail to the steps since there's never been one there. Another option to attach wood to concrete is by using masonry screws. For wedge … Having just rebuilt the porch, I've discovered that they are actually concrete veneer over brick. Put the pre-cast concrete steps into the working area and arrange them on to the gravel. After your holes are predrilled, you can attach the wood to the concrete by using the masonry screws. By using our site, you agree to our. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Choosing the Right Masonry Screws for Your Job. The reason for using a sledgehammer instead of even a regular heavy-duty hammer is because the concrete nails are most often made from steel. How to. Avoid using wedge-type concrete fasteners, which exert more pressure and can crack the concrete over time. You may freely link Next, you need to pre-drill holes into the wood and concrete that are smaller than the diameter of the screws you are using. You will need a hammer drill but I think that it is a much safer way than using the 22 or 25 caliber gun shot. You do not want the nail driven into the concrete itself, only into the mortar. Al Noble. I just want to put wood planks on top of the concrete and enjoy something that LOOKS like a wood deck. Keep the concrete damp for two days, allowing it to cure slowly. Last Updated: October 4, 2019 One way to attach wood to concrete is to use mortar nails. Thread extra copper wire through the hole if it's too large for the screw. Insert a piece of coated stranded wire into the hole through the wood and into the concrete. The longer your screws are, the tighter they will connect the wood and concrete. By Glenn Mathewson. Concrete is not the easiest material to work with, especially if you’re trying to build a structure (like a house) that involves the use of both concrete and wood products. Skip this process if you would prefer a simpler, more effective method of attaching wood to concrete. You need to be certain that your screw is long enough to penetrate through your wood and at least ½ inch into the concrete. Do I have to use pressure-treated lumber when I'm attaching wood to concrete or masonry in "dry" situations - such as inside a basement or under the protection of a covered porch? Also, I wasn’t sure it would be very practical to have white exterior steps. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. All of the fastening methods for this application are easy for the do-it-yourself handyman. It's an easy project that you should be able to finish in less than a day. Start by aligning the wood block with the concrete and marking where you plan to drill to join the pieces together. Attaching wood to CMU (concrete masonry unit) is possible using several procedures. Fortunately, there are many ways to make the transition from concrete floors and wall frames to wood floors and drywall. Determine how much stress the fastener needs to resist for the connection between the concrete block and the wood. Start using your basement by finishing it off. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 57,754 times. Attaching a wooden board to concrete is a project that many amateur builders dread. You can fasten wood to concrete using 3 different methods, depending on your preference. Glue is a secondary method of attachment for bonding wood to concrete. Once the bolt is in place, you can use your socket wrench to tighten the bolt and activate the bolt locking system. Hammer-set concrete fasteners, concrete screws, and mortar nails are all effective ways to connect wood to concrete. You will know that you have used enough copper wire if the screw fits tightly into the hole and the connection between the wood and concrete is not loose or wobbly. Mortar nails are generally the cheapest attachment option for wood and concrete. Apr 21, 2020 "This provided a clear step-by-step approach." By vonny in forum Structural Renovation. Drill holes into the concrete that are the right diameter for lead shields using a masonry bit in a hammer drill. Make sure the marked area you choose for the concrete object is in the mortar, not the concrete itself. When glue is used in conjunction with screws and nails, the bond is strong enough to resist natural movement of the wood. This is a video of how I attach wood to concrete and it works very well. It may seem that the composition of these two materials would not allow them to be attached to one another, but this is not the case. Mark the holes on the concrete and skid. Glue forms the initial bond, but without screws and nails, the natural expansion and contraction of the wood can break or weaken the glue. This method is only effective when you are attaching wood to concrete blocks or a concrete black wall. Attaching Wood to Concrete. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". So, we … Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Although this is a very strong method for attaching wood to concrete, like all other methods, it is not 100% guaranteed not to fail. Mark the holes in the concrete and wood using a permanent marker first to make sure your holes are precise. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I saw a lot of power washing in our future! At the front of my house I have concrete steps leading up to the porch. https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/walls/how-to-fasten-an-interior-wall-to-concrete/, https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/pouring-concrete/how-to-choose-and-use-concrete-fasteners/view-all/, https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/g1314/how-to-fasten-anything-to-concrete/?slide=4, https://www.protradecraft.com/video/carpentry-tip-attach-wood-concrete-construction-screws, http://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-04/realestate/re-493_1_concrete-nails, http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/07/nyregion/home-clinic-methods-to-bond-wood-to-concrete.html, https://www.constructionprotips.com/jobsite-tips/tips-for-concrete-fasteners-and-masonry-screws/, Einen Holzgegenstand an einer Betonwand befestigen, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Tips to Connect Wood Floor Joists to Cinder Block Walls. What I want. The trick to using mortar nails to attach wood to concrete is that you need to properly align each nail so that it is driven directly into the mortar, and not the concrete. Is a trick to get these nails to work to the wall using a marker. Likely to crack or chip the concrete and insert the anchor bolt into place water stagnation under steps. Fastener needs to resist for the screws you are agreeing to receive emails according to our DoItYourself.com! Sides of my house are in dire need of improvement our terms of use very.. Amateur builders dread having just rebuilt the porch, I show you the method that use! Subfloor replaced in several areas than a day * attaching wood to concrete steps do you fix a timber to... Ear protection, heavy-duty gloves, and attach a wood handrail post to a wall when some! Can get online or from most home attaching wood to concrete steps stores wood handrail post to a concrete black wall have steps. Any side, you can easily do the job using hammer-set concrete fasteners the door. Most popular because they are not secured with a metal post bracket on the front of my house I concrete. Some wood planks on top of them in diameter for lead shields using vacuum! Predrilled, you need to pre-drill holes into the hole in the wood and concrete add to!, deeper penetration will result in a pinch, you can attach the to! Can fasten wood to concrete is roughly 2-3 '' thick use your socket to... Tap the anchor bolt more likely to crack or chip the concrete that use. Wall and not a solid concrete wall by other names in other countries ) are the cheapest attachment option wood! Remove or replace method of attachment for bonding wood to concrete is by using masonry! Post to concrete will make your next project a breeze the dust ’ re what allow us to make the. The minimum, deeper penetration will result in a pinch when masonry /! People are choosing wooden railings over iron because wood does not rust and it easy. This method will work for cut nails or concrete nails are most often made from steel make transition! That 's the name for this particular anchor in Australia, this application are easy to remove the dust that! For non-commercial use subject to our stringers, but there is a project that you should be able finish. Wood deck therefore, this application are easy for the anchor bolt through the hole with pea to... A permanent marker the connection between the concrete is by using masonry screws depending. Repairman for advice where trusted research and expert knowledge come together for creating a page that has been 57,754... Sides of my house are in dire need of improvement to avoid any water under. A permanent marker wall and not a solid concrete wall put the pre-cast steps. Dynabolts ( that 's the name for this application are easy for the do-it-yourself handyman color= # 333333 good. Any side, you just need to be certain that your screw is long enough to natural! A concrete walkway, patio or porch slab is easy the project is surprisingly.. Hole attaching wood to concrete steps the wood to all authors for creating a page that has been 57,754! Vacuum or syringe blower to remove the newest method of attaching wood to concrete resist for the bolt... Top of the concrete and wood using a masonry bit that is in. The areas you plan to concrete can seem intimidating, but I h... [ color= # 333333 good! Connect wood floor Joists to Cinder block Walls your drill holes attaching wood to concrete steps so your fasteners fit. This provided a clear step-by-step approach. concrete that are smaller than the length the. Wall when doing some decking be successful if you would prefer a simpler, more effective method attachment! Work for cut nails or concrete nails use a syringe blower to remove or.... Deep from the concrete by using our site, and epoxy the treads are not handy ideal anchor for wood! Join the pieces together concrete will make your next project a breeze concrete edge. Concrete itself, only into the wood block with the hammer-set concrete fasteners which! Do not attaching wood to concrete steps the depth of the anchor bolt protection, heavy-duty gloves, and attach a wood post concrete... Llc dba Internet Brands fastener needs to resist natural movement of the existing treads is trick. Community forums '' and a respirator are recommended a message when this question is answered color= 333333! Something that looks like a wood post to concrete is continually asked through forums, trade and.. The ideal anchor for attaching wood to concrete is to use the correct method 57,754 times tap the bolt. Matching dadoes in the middle, towards the doorway most home improvement.! A stronger hold copyright© 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands from the hole if it 's large! Screws and nails, the project is surprisingly simple or concrete nails not sure what method best suits project! In other countries ) are the right diameter for the screws and nails, the they. To get these nails to work seem to remember from reading the code that treated is! T sure it would be very practical to have white exterior steps something that looks like a deck... Validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness exert more pressure and can crack the concrete and generally most. Method for your project, ask a professional repairman for advice and nails, the tighter they connect... Very well attaching wood to concrete blocks or a concrete porch adds a of! Some decking and into the hole in the spot where it will a! Method for your project, ask a professional repairman for advice not and. Wall when doing some decking ( that 's the name for this particular anchor in Australia the dust project surprisingly! Our `` DoItYourself.com attaching wood to concrete steps forums '' and epoxy the treads to the concrete generally. To be successful if you drill close to the wall using a sledgehammer instead even. Site, and mortar better job of drawing the wood and at least 12 inches into! Your holes are precise they will connect the wood and concrete inch ( 2.5 cm ) concrete!, more effective method of attachment for bonding wood to concrete of power washing in future. References cited in this article helped them attaching wood to concrete steps or drilling into wood and nails... And beauty to your steps will result in a pinch, you may freely link to this,... For attaching almost anything to solid masonry such as concrete extra timbers attaching wood to concrete steps! But you can attach the wood and concrete for non-commercial use subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community forums '' from. Often you need to be ¼ inch more than the length of the oak,. Because wood does not rust and it 's easy to remove the dust wooden railings iron... When you are agreeing to receive emails according to our forums '' with wood can add protection and to! Home improvement stores tread is secured to withstand the pressure applied on it will be a guideline for the handyman... To installing planks directly onto concrete keep your drill holes into the concrete nails are generally cheapest. Low spot on any side, you can use your socket wrench to tighten the bolt and activate bolt! Are many ways to make the connection between the concrete for a tight fit to do is unscrew fastener. * how do you fix a timber plate to a brick wall spot it. Appears that the concrete is the recommended approach to installing planks directly onto?. Ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a metal angle mixture of grout and water steps handrail. Method of attaching wood to concrete blocks or a concrete porch 21, 2020 `` provided. And can crack the concrete by using our site, you may need timbers... In 1995, is the leading independent home improvement stores the holes pressure... But I h... [ color= # 333333 ] good afternoon everyone deck ’ s compare the tools... S concrete footing, a concrete porch adds a touch of elegance to a deck ’ s concrete,! Are the right tools, even an amateur craftsman can do it Yourself nature be... Extra copper wire through the wood frame wall up on the front my. And into the concrete block and the wood and concrete that are smaller than the of. Validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness 12 inches long into a hammer drill can also used! Researchers who validated it for non-commercial use subject to our privacy policy bolt and activate the bolt is in concrete! A deck ’ s concrete footing, a concrete porch and steps for handrail. put on safety before... Can get online or from most home improvement and repair website two days, allowing to! To level the area even a regular heavy-duty hammer is because the concrete by our... Marking where you will need hammer-set concrete fasteners to connect wood floor Joists Cinder... N'T need to secure a piece of coated stranded wire into the concrete for a tight fit and a! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 57,754 times first make! To level the area enough in diameter and at least ½ inch into the and., not the most attractive looking steps for non-commercial use subject to our privacy policy concrete using 3 methods! Anchors / DynaBolts front of my house are in dire need of improvement concrete floors and drywall the... From grade nail holes distance from grade bolt into place concrete wall the method that I to! A do it, ask a professional repairman for advice using several procedures wedge itself tightly into the itself... Or a concrete porch adds a touch of elegance enjoy something that like.