Do I need joist hangers for a deck?

Yes, building codes require joist hangers or equivalent connections where joists meet beams and ledger boards. Toenailing alone does not provide adequate uplift or lateral resistance for deck framing. Hangers are required at the ledger and recommended at the beam.

What nails do I use with joist hangers?

Use 10d x 1-1/2 inch joist hanger nails (also called short joist nails or hanger nails). These are thicker than standard nails and designed to provide full shear strength without penetrating through the back of the supporting member.

Can I use screws instead of nails in joist hangers?

Only if the screws are specifically rated for structural connector use, such as Simpson Strong-Tie SD screws. Standard wood screws and deck screws are not rated for shear loads in joist hangers and their use violates building codes.

Structural Hardware

Joist Hanger Selection Guide: Types, Sizes, and Load Ratings (2026)

Reviewed by Lumberama's Hardware & Accessories Team

|Last updated July 9, 2026

Joist hangers are essential structural connectors that transfer floor and deck loads from joists to beams and ledger boards. Using the correct hanger ensures your framing meets building codes and can safely carry live and dead loads. This guide covers hanger types, sizing, nail patterns, and installation requirements for residential deck and floor construction.

Key Takeaways

Joist hangers are essential structural connectors that transfer floor and deck loads from joists to beams and ledger boards.
Using the correct hanger ensures your framing meets building codes and can safely carry live and dead loads.
This guide covers hanger types, sizing, nail patterns, and installation requirements for residential deck and floor construction.
Joist lumber dimensions (2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 2x12), single vs double joist hangers, face-mount vs top-flange styles, load capacity requirements (check your local code), material coating for outdoor use (galvanized or stainless), skew and slope angles if needed, and compatible nail or screw specifications.
Simpson Strong-Tie LUS series is the industry standard for face-mount hangers with easy nail patterns and high load ratings.

What to Consider

Joist lumber dimensions (2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 2x12), single vs double joist hangers, face-mount vs top-flange styles, load capacity requirements (check your local code), material coating for outdoor use (galvanized or stainless), skew and slope angles if needed, and compatible nail or screw specifications.

Product Comparison

Simpson Strong-Tie LUS series is the industry standard for face-mount hangers with easy nail patterns and high load ratings. TheDERA series by MiTek offers adjustable widths for non-standard lumber. USP Structural ConnectorsDERA series provides cost-effective alternatives. For engineered lumber (LVL, I-joists), Simpson ITS and HIT series hangers are purpose-built with wider flanges.

Size Selection Guide

Match the hanger model to your exact joist size: LUS26 for 2x6, LUS28 for 2x8, LUS210 for 2x10, LUS212 for 2x12. Double-joist hangers use the LUS26-2 designation. For 45-degree angles, use LSU or LSSU skewable models. Always verify the hanger width matches your actual lumber width — modern 2x lumber is 1.5 inches wide, not 2 inches.

Installation Tips

Fill every nail hole in the hanger — empty holes drastically reduce load capacity. Use only joist hanger nails (short, thick 10d x 1-1/2 inch), never standard framing nails. The joist should sit fully in the saddle with no gap at the bottom. Install hangers level using a speed square. For ledger board connections, ensure the ledger is properly bolted before hanging joists.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using regular 16d nails instead of proper joist hanger nails, which can split the lumber and reduce capacity by 50%. Leaving nail holes empty. Installing hangers upside down or with the joist not fully seated. Using interior-rated galvanized hangers outdoors with pressure-treated lumber. Not accounting for skew or slope angles.

Budget Guide

Standard face-mount joist hangers cost $2-5 each depending on size. Heavy-duty and adjustable models run $6-12 each. Stainless steel versions for coastal environments are $8-15 each. A typical 300 sq ft deck with 16-inch joist spacing needs approximately 20-25 hangers. Joist hanger nails cost about $8-12 per pound.