How to Choose the Right Anchor for Concrete and Masonry
Pick the anchor by base material and load: wedge or chemical anchors for heavy loads in solid concrete, sleeve anchors for brick and block, drop-in anchors for overhead hangers, and plugs for light fixtures.
Start with the base material
- Solid concrete: wedge, chemical, drop-in or concrete screws
- Brick and solid block: sleeve anchors or chemical anchors
- Hollow block and gypsum: chemical anchors with mesh sleeves, hollow wall anchors
- Plaster and light loads: nylon wall plugs and frame fixings
Then the load
Heavy machinery, columns and barriers need wedge or chemical anchors. Medium loads such as brackets and frames suit sleeve anchors or concrete screws. Light fixtures need only plugs.
Edge distance and cracks
Expansion anchors push against the concrete, so near an edge or in cracked concrete they can break it out. Chemical anchors bond without expansion and are the safe choice there.
Coastal and outdoor use
Near the sea or outdoors, choose galvanized or stainless steel anchors, because a rusted anchor loses strength inside the hole where it cannot be seen.
