Fasteners play an important role in preserving the structural integrity of a home or building. Not only do they hold the core structure together, they are used to attach exterior products such as siding, doors, trim and other components.

1. Product Knowledge Course
Introductory Level
FASTENERS 101

2. Fasteners play an important role in
preserving the structural integrity of a home
or building.
Not only do they hold the core structure
together, they are used to attach exterior
products such as siding, doors, trim and
other components.
Mitten distributes a line of high quality
fasteners that complements all of its
products.
Objectives
________________________________
By the end of this course, you will
understand:
1. How Fasteners Work
2. Types of Fasteners
3. Coatings
4. Fasteners distributed by Ply Gem
5. Ordering and Support
Fasteners 101

3. Fasteners are designed to resist two structural forces:
Withdrawal and Shear
Withdraw:
Withdrawal force is parallel to the shaft of the
fastener, called the shank. If you were to grab the
head of a screw or nail with a pair of pliers and try to
pull it straight out, the fastener would resist
withdrawal.
Shear:
Shear force is exerted perpendicular to the shank of a
fastener and caused by the object being fastened.
Resistance to Shear force is why fasteners have
minimum length requirements.
How Fasteners Work

4. Length
Anatomy of a nail
Trim nail
Types of Fasteners - Nails

5. Wood screw
(Partially threaded with pointed tip)
Sheet metal screw
(Fully threaded with pointed tip)
Machine screw
(Fully threaded with flat end)
Thread specification
How threads are notated / designated
1/4-20
1/4 is the nominal diameter,
also the major / largest diameter
20 is the number of threads per inch
Drywall screw
(Fully threaded with pointed tip,
threads are far apart)
Types of Fasteners - Screws

6. Drive method:
The design of the screw head needs to match the design installation tool.
ie. drill bit or screwdriver
Screw Head Profiles
Screw Drive Types
Types of Fasteners - Screws

7. Here are some of the most common fastener coatings to help
inhibit corrosion or rust.
Black Oxide
Most common on machine screws. Provides very mild
protection against corrosion and usually has an oil film added
for additional protection.
Galvanized
Coated with zinc and provides the best protection next to
stainless steel. Most framing nails and some finish nails are
available galvanized. There are three galvanizing methods;
Hot dip, mechanical and electro-plating.
Stainless Steel and Aluminum
These materials inherently resistant corrosion because they
form a tough oxide layer when exposed to oxygen.
Coatings

8. Roofing Nails
Electro galvanized steel roofing nails with a diameter of 1/8" and a nail head of 3/8" or larger
are the best option for installing vinyl siding.
Trim Nails
Stainless steel trim nails are ideal for installing painted aluminum trim coil, soffit and fascia.
The stainless steel is compatible with aluminum, so there will be no unwanted chemical
reactions and the strong steel shank drives much better than aluminum nails.
Sheet Metal Screws
Sheet metal screws are designed for connecting thinner metal objects to one another or
connecting metal to wood, plastic, and other materials.
Cortex Screws
Custom-made for Ply Gem PVC Trim, they combine a threaded fastener that gives a
stronger hold than regular nails and handy setting tool that places the fastener at the correct
depth every time.
Cortex fasteners save up to 35% installation time; no need to caulk, sand and paint every
nail hole. PVC plugs are available in smooth and wood grain finish to match each any
project.
Fasteners Distributed by Ply Gem

9. Ordering and Support
To order, contact Mitten’s customer service department at
1-888-MITTEN4.

10. Quiz
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