More than 10% of British homes built so far this year feature Simpson Strong-Tie’s ITB backer-free hanger, according to the company, which launched the product in January.
And the figure is expected to rise to 30% by the end of the year as more national timber frame manufacturers turn to the product to meet faster, safer and more cost-effective ways of manufacturing floor cassettes.
The ITB features unique top and bottom flanges designed to resist rotation and enhance load capacity. As well as saving time and labour at installation, it reduces any ongoing maintenance to give cost-effective, long-term results according to the manufacturer.
Marlows Timber Engineering general manager Roger Smith said the ITB hangers had been used in the construction of the company’s floor cassettes. He added: “The hanger eliminates the need for backer blocks and offers a cost-effective structural solution. We incorporate floor cassettes in the majority of our timber frame projects.”
Simpson Strong-Tie sales and marketing director Richard Miles described the ITB hanger as a good example of an innovative solution created through a continuous product development programme.
He added: “The influx in demand for the backer-free hanger highlights not only the growing need for more innovative connectors but also the need for new solutions to meet the ever changing demands of manufacturers and housing developers.”
