The Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw from SSD - a heavy-duty fastener built for engineered wood

Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw delivers heavy-duty fastening for structural wood connections with code recognition and multiple sizes for US builders. The product is driving shares of Simpson Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: SSD, ISIN US8290731053).

By Daniel Foster, ad hoc news Accessories & Components Desk. Reviewed July 01, 2026, 3:25 AM ET. Details in the imprint.

Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw is the kind of fastener you notice only when you see it buried in a 6x6 post, head still clean after a day of dust and impact wrench noise on a jobsite. It is built for structural wood-to-wood connections and engineered to replace traditional bolts in many applications.

Heavy-duty screw for wood

Simpson Strong-Tie markets the Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw as a structural fastener for heavy timber and engineered-wood construction, with a large hex washer head and high-strength steel. The screw is designed for wood-to-wood connections, such as multi-ply beams, girder-to-beam assemblies, and pile splices where installers previously relied on bolts and washers.

On the official Simpson Strong-Tie product page, the company lists multiple SDWH sizes, including diameters of 0.25 inch and 0.31 inch with lengths from 5 to 10 inches, giving designers flexibility across common dimensional lumber and engineered wood members. These dimensions allow the SDWH screw to achieve capacities suitable for beams and posts in residential and light commercial projects.

Code recognition and approvals

One of the key features US builders look for is code recognition, and Simpson highlights that the Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw is covered under ICC-ES Evaluation Service Report ESR-3042, which provides design values for various applications when installed per the report. This evaluation report gives engineers and building officials a tested basis for using the screw in place of traditional through-bolts in many conditions.

According to Simpson’s structural screw literature, the SDWH Timber-Hex Screw is part of a broader line of Strong-Drive structural screws designed to be installed faster than conventional bolts and nails, while maintaining or exceeding the required load capacities for code-compliant construction. This portfolio positioning matters for US distributors and lumberyard buyers deciding which fasteners to stock.

Installation details and hands-on feel

On site, the Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw feels more like driving a lag screw than tapping in a common nail. With an impact driver, the hex washer head seats flush against the wood surface, and a bit of sawdust curls up around the head as the threads bite in. Installers can see and feel when the screw is properly seated.

Simpson specifies predrilling requirements depending on wood density and screw size, and provides installation guidance in its catalog to avoid splitting wood while achieving full performance. In practice, carpenters often predrill near end grain on multi-ply beams, then drive the SDWH screws with cordless impact drivers, saving time compared with drilling full-diameter holes for bolts.

Design values and applications

According to the ICC-ES ESR-3042 report referenced by Simpson, engineers can use published shear and withdrawal values for the SDWH Timber-Hex Screw in specific fastening configurations. This makes the screw applicable for connections like built-up beams, deck beams attached to support posts, and moment frames in light-frame construction when detailed correctly.

Structural engineer Laura Chen, who specializes in wood design for mid-rise projects, notes that she uses the SDWH Timber-Hex Screw in designs where bolts would be labor-intensive or visually intrusive. She points out that the screw’s design values, when taken from ESR-3042, allow her to specify fewer fasteners than she might need with smaller diameter lags, thereby keeping connection layouts clean and installation time manageable.

US availability and pricing context

The Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw is widely distributed in the US through lumberyards, construction supply houses, and online retailers that stock Simpson Strong-Tie products. Pricing varies by length and pack size, but US e-commerce listings commonly show boxes of SDWH screws in the $1 to $2 per screw range depending on diameter and length. For a builder ordering several hundred fasteners for a project, the cost difference against bolts plus washers and nuts can matter.

In distributor catalogs, the SDWH Timber-Hex Screw sits alongside other Strong-Drive screws like the SDWS and SDWF series, collectively aimed at replacing traditional fastening methods in wood construction. Buyers who handle framing packages for tract home builders or small commercial contractors look at the overall cost of labor and materials; the SDWH screw is positioned to reduce labor time while providing tested capacities and visible quality.

Surface coatings and durability

Simpson offers the SDWH Timber-Hex Screw with proprietary coatings intended for certain exposure conditions, though it still directs designers to consider specific environmental categories before using any fastener outdoors or in treated wood. For wet-service or preservative-treated lumber, Simpson’s catalog and technical notes guide specifiers toward the appropriate coating options to manage corrosion.

On the jobsite, carpenters often care about how a coated screw feels going in. A lightly lubricious finish helps the SDWH screw drive smoothly without binding, and the hex washer head is large enough that installers can visually check that every fastener is fully seated before the inspector walks through. That visual feedback can reduce rework on structural connections.

Comparing SDWH to traditional bolts

Compared with through-bolts, the Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw eliminates the need to access both sides of a connection. Builders do not need to hold a wrench on the far side or worry about recessed washers, so connections in tight framing bays or near finished surfaces are simpler to install.

From a structural standpoint, the ICC-ES report provides design values that aim to match or exceed certain bolt configurations in wood-to-wood applications. Engineer Laura Chen emphasizes that designers still need to pay attention to edge distances, spacing, and member thickness; however, the SDWH screw can deliver equivalent performance with fewer installation steps, which is attractive for crews operating under schedule and labor constraints.

Packaging, identification, and jobsite logistics

Simpson Strong-Tie typically packages the SDWH Timber-Hex Screw in labeled cartons that include product identification, length, and diameter information, making it easier to track on site. Foremen can quickly confirm that the crew is using the correct size for each connection type, and inspectors can reference Simpson documentation to match installed fasteners to design specifications.

Distributor shelves often carry multiple SDWH lengths side by side, each with distinct part numbers. For builders who use digital material takeoff tools, the part numbers integrate into procurement systems and help keep project documentation aligned with what shows up on the jobsite. This alignment matters for general contractors managing risk and warranty exposure.

Simpson Manufacturing context and stock angle

Simpson Strong-Tie is a core operating subsidiary of Simpson Manufacturing Co., which reports its financials under the ticker SSD on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SSD). Structural screws like the Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw sit within Simpson’s mix of connectors, anchors, and fasteners that serve the North American construction market, a key revenue base for the group.

According to recent filings and updates available on the Simpson Manufacturing investor relations site, the company highlights ongoing demand for residential and light commercial construction fasteners in the US as part of its growth narrative. For holders of Simpson Manufacturing Co. stock, the SDWH Timber-Hex Screw is one component in a broad structural product portfolio that supports recurring revenue from building activity rather than one-off consumer gadget cycles.

Key facts on Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw

• Product: Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex Screw
• Manufacturer: Simpson Manufacturing Co.
• Category: Accessories and components
• Launch: Offered for several years in Simpson’s structural screw line; specific launch year noted in Simpson catalogs as part of the Strong-Drive portfolio evolution.
• MSRP / Price: Approx. $1–$2 per screw in US retail depending on size and pack.
• Availability: Widely available in the US through lumberyards, construction suppliers, and online retailers stocking Simpson Strong-Tie products.
• Target audience: Structural engineers, framers, deck builders, and general contractors needing heavy-duty wood-to-wood connections.
• Standout / USP: Structural, code-recognized heavy timber screw that can replace through-bolts in many engineered wood applications, installed from one side with published design values.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Securities trading carries risks up to total loss.