Wick Replaces Nails with Universal Screws

Always on the lookout for ways to improve our performance, Wick Buildings has big news to share about our building fasteners. These are the small but crucial components we use to hold your building together and help ensure it can handle high winds and heavy snow loads.

Out with Nails and In with Universal Screw Fasteners

Ring shank nails provide way more strength than conventional nails, which is why they’ve been a go-to fastener at Wick for years.

That said, we’ve now found a way to do even better: Say hello to the Universal Screw fastener, an exciting development that will improve the value, quality, and life of your new Wick building.

Check out the details and the corresponding images to see what we mean.

A. Purlin-to-truss attachment: +50% increase in pull-out strength

We use #12 6” screws for attaching purlins to trusses, which increases pull-out strength by more than 50% compared to using 60d ring shank nails. This also increases the structural strength of the overall roof system compared to nail attachment.

B. Truss-to-column attachment: 85% increase in shear strength

In addition to our bolted connection, we use #12 4” screws for the truss-to-column connection, which improves shear strength by 85% compared to using 16d ring shank nails. This also increases the structural strength of the overall roof system compared to nail attachment.

Universal Screw fastener

C. Girt-to-column attachment: 164% increase in pull-out strength

We use #12 4” screws for attaching girts to columns, which increases pull-out strength by 164% compared to using 16d ring shank nails. This also improves the structural strength of the overall wall system compared to nail attachment.

Headers: 2-fold increase in pull-out strength

In addition to the increased shear strength mentioned above, wood-gripping screws have more than twice the pull-out resistance compared to nails.

Anatomy of a High-Performance Universal Screw Fastener

Take a look at the features that make these screws so darn effective.

Take the Next Step Toward a Pole Barn of Your Own

Our use of Universal Screw fasteners gives you just a glimpse of how seriously we take quality here at Wick Buildings. If you’d like to learn more, take a look at the many possibilities for a pole barn here.

And if you’d like to discuss having your own pole barn built, be sure to contact Wick Buildings today!

	Yes	No
You understand that barndominium/shouse pricing is comparable to studwall home construction, particularly those with traditional 2-3 car garages and basements. Interior finishes are the same in either building type, and the advantages of a barndominium/shouse largely go away when the garage/shop space is modest and a basement is required. In many cases, you can expect to pay the same as studwall construction (i.e., somewhere between $175 - $250 per square foot depending on your market).
You want an attached garage and/or shop space > standard 2-3 car garage (i.e., > 1,200 square feet). Using post-frame building design, a barndominium/shouse is able to create large usable spaces cost-effectively in ways that traditional studwall construction cannot.
You like the aesthetic of steel (for the roof and sidewalls) typically used in a barndominium/shouse. Alternate materials may be used on the exterior, but they add cost.
You are comfortable using a concrete floating slab (or equivalent) to meet your foundation needs. A barndominium/shouse can be built on nearly any concrete foundation, including traditional basements. However, traditional basements are not necessary with a barndominium/shouse and having one increases cost.
You want to do some of the interior work yourself (such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fixtures), or you want to be the general contractor for that scope of work. While some builders will do full turnkey projects, most prefer to perform work through completion of the building shell.

	Yes	No
You understand that barndominium/shouse pricing is comparable to studwall home construction, particularly those with traditional 2-3 car garages and basements. Interior finishes are the same in either building type, and the advantages of a barndominium/shouse largely go away when the garage/shop space is modest and a basement is required. In many cases, you can expect to pay the same as studwall construction (i.e., somewhere between $175 - $250 per square foot depending on your market).
You want an attached garage and/or shop space > standard 2-3 car garage (i.e., > 1,200 square feet). Using post-frame building design, a barndominium/shouse is able to create large usable spaces cost-effectively in ways that traditional studwall construction cannot.
You like the aesthetic of steel (for the roof and sidewalls) typically used in a barndominium/shouse. Alternate materials may be used on the exterior, but they add cost.
You are comfortable using a concrete floating slab (or equivalent) to meet your foundation needs. A barndominium/shouse can be built on nearly any concrete foundation, including traditional basements. However, traditional basements are not necessary with a barndominium/shouse and having one increases cost.
You want to do some of the interior work yourself (such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fixtures), or you want to be the general contractor for that scope of work. While some builders will do full turnkey projects, most prefer to perform work through completion of the building shell.

Wick Buildings Changes from Nails to Universal Screws to Improve Structural Stability

June 15, 2023

Out with Nails and In with Universal Screw Fasteners

A. Purlin-to-truss attachment: +50% increase in pull-out strength

B. Truss-to-column attachment: 85% increase in shear strength

C. Girt-to-column attachment: 164% increase in pull-out strength

Headers: 2-fold increase in pull-out strength

Anatomy of a High-Performance Universal Screw Fastener

Take the Next Step Toward a Pole Barn of Your Own

Is a Barndominium the right fit for you?

Is a Shouse the right fit for you?

Out with Nails and In with Universal Screw Fasteners

A. Purlin-to-truss attachment: +50% increase in pull-out strength

B. Truss-to-column attachment: 85% increase in shear strength

C. Girt-to-column attachment: 164% increase in pull-out strength

Headers: 2-fold increase in pull-out strength

Anatomy of a High-Performance Universal Screw Fastener

Take the Next Step Toward a Pole Barn of Your Own

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