Construction Washers | Copper State Bolt and Nut Co.

Aug 13, 2014

A washer is a thin, typically round piece of plastic or metal that is designed to help distribute weight and is secured in place by the pressure from a threaded fastener like a nut or a screw. A washer is designed with a hole in the middle that accommodates the threaded fastener and helps to keep it from becoming imbedded inside the item that it is being screwed into. Washers are typically made from plastic or metal, although some washers are made from hardened steel and are designed to withstand heavy-duty projects. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, how can you tell whether you need low-quality plastic washers or high-quality construction washers? Here are a few ways you can determine which type of washer will best meet your needs.

What Is Your Project?

First, you must determine what project will require the use of washers. If you are working on a small project such as a dollhouse or any other small project, then plastic or regular metal washers may be ideal for your needs. If you are working on a large, heavy-duty project such as a deck or any other large wood construction project, then a high-quality construction washer should be used.

The Quality Difference

Although you may think that a washer is not very important, it is imperative for two purposes:

• Distributing pressure evenly over the object that is being secured by a bolt or nut, thereby reducing the amount of damage that is caused to the structure.
• Providing a smooth and even surface for a bolt or nut to secure to, thereby decreasing the chances that the bolt or nut will eventually work itself loose.

When you are working on a large project, especially one that will bear significant amounts of weight, you want to make sure that it won’t come loose and that the bolt or nut will not cause damage to the structure. To achieve these goals, it is important to utilize construction-quality washers and construction tools that have the strength to keep your project secure for as long as possible. Call (800) 603-6887 today to learn more about construction washers and other construction supplies available at Copper State.