Anchor bolts are embedded in concrete to support heavy structures. A steel anchor bolt is commonly used to fasten steel columns, electrical poles, highway signs and billboards, to the ground. Also called anchor fasteners, they consist of a threaded end - - that attaches to a nut and washer - - and a bolt.

Choose an anchor bolt design that best suits the needs of your project and fits your price range. Epoxy anchor bolts, concrete anchor bolts and steel anchor bolts, as well as other types, all vary in price. Consider the following anchor bolts pricing and costs information to plan your budget:

1. Epoxy anchor bolts are a bit more expensive, but are recommended by anchor bolt distributors when extra strength is beneficial.

2. Wedge-style anchor fasteners are less expensive than epoxy anchors and expand once drilled to ensure security.

3. Depending on their size, sleeve bolts cost about the same as wedge anchors and protect concrete from wear and tear by reducing the stress placed on it.

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Choose epoxy anchor bolts when your project requires added strength

Perhaps the most expensive of the anchor bolt family, epoxy anchor bolts provide extra strength with anchoring. This is because the high strength epoxy adhesive is used to reinforce the anchor in the concrete. Anchor bolt distributors also sell anchor bolts with epoxy to install and reinforce diving boards onto pool decks.

I recommend: Unisorb Capsule Anchor Systems by Stampers Store sells epoxy anchor bolts that range in price from $40 to $100 depending on the size of the anchor. Inyo Pool Products sells epoxy anchor bolts for diving boards installation and repair.

Consider wedge-style anchor fasteners which expand once drilled

Concrete wedge anchors work by expanding after they are inserting into concrete. Once it has expanded, the anchor is secure within the concrete. Concrete wedge anchors can be purchased for less than $20 per item.

I recommend: Nothing But Hardware's wedge anchor sells for $18 per item. ReStockIt's wedge anchor bolt sells for $12, but you can buy it for less when you purchase five or more.

Select anchor bolts with sleeves when you want to protect concrete from wear and tear

The pricing of sleeve anchors, or anchor bolts with sleeves, depends on the size and the material. Anchor sleeves are usually stainless steel or zinc-plated. Their price ranges from $7 to $65 depending on the quantity of boxes ordered. Buy anchor bolts with sleeves when you need 360 degrees of hole contact over a large area, which can lengthen the lifespan of the concrete.

I recommend: Sleeve anchors at Concrete Fasteners come anywhere from 10 to 100 per box. They offer discounts for purchasing in volume. A 10-pack of sleeve anchors from W.W. Grainger costs $16.95.

Anchor bolts support and hold materials together by embedding an anchor, fastener, bar or steel rod into concrete, metal and masonry for construction and industrial purposes. Various designs and types of material render specific application where structures need securing to other constructions.

Types of anchor bolts include swaged, hook, crane, sleeve and wedge. A high strength bolt typically carries an identification code from the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), for instance A325 or A490. High temperature bolts provide consistent tensile loads in the 500 to 1800 degree level. Mechanical properties relate to the bolts' performance under certain loads. Shear strength measures the maximum load before failure. When purchasing anchor bolts consider the following:

1. Look for anchor bolt prices that fit your purpose and quantity required.

2. Buy anchor bolts by function for specific applications.

3. Know in advance or ask a sales rep for information regarding load and other technical questions.

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Locate concrete anchor bolts and pin drive expansion anchors

Mechanical and epoxy bolts typically used in concrete and masonry affix structures to various masonry materials. Expansion anchors provide holding power with masonry walls and concrete. Typically, for heavy duty anchoring use wedge, medium duty consider a sleeve anchor and drive anchors for light duty.

I recommend: Click “Fasteners” for the type of concrete anchor needed by category that includes concrete and concrete-block-brick at Atlantic Fasteners. Continue selecting by narrowing the category until you arrive at the price and specs. Select an anchor suitable for concrete, plasterboard or masonry from the list then choose size to obtain pricing at Bolt Depot. Select by product to view specs and pricing that includes flanged alligator, pin drive and wall anchors at McFeely’s. Order large sized right angle bend anchor bolts at Portland Bolt & Manufacturing Company.

Find steel anchor bolts

Construction of steel anchor bolts varies. Different shapes offer solutions for many applications.

I recommend: Contact AA Anchor Bolt Inc., for L-Anchor, J, bent, welded plate, pipe and galvanized anchor bolts. For construction anchor bolts click by name at Haydon Bolts then fill in the “On-Line Quote Form” or phone for pricing. Find the right steel anchor bolt size for wedge type stainless steel anchor bolts up to 5 1/2 inch lengths at QC Supply LLC. Choose from a variety of anchor types including stainless steel and steel zinc plated at Mutual Screw & Supply.

Get epoxy anchor bolts

Bolts and epoxy adds strength to anchoring into concrete and masonry.

I recommend: For 3/8 to 1 1/4 inch epoxy anchor bolts with stud assembly see the products at Stampers Store. For epoxy anchor bolts go to Atlantic Bolt, Inc. and fill out the request form or phone for pricing.

Choose an industrial anchor bolt

These anchor bolts provide solutions for a diverse industrial environment.

I recommend: Go to UNISORB and select product from “Anchoring Alignment Systems” that include vector bolts, jake bolts, capsule anchor and fixators for machine tools, presses, conveyors and other industrial uses. See “Sales” or “Contact Us” for pricing or more information. For 3/8 to 6-inch diameter anchor bolts go to FABSCO CORP., then request a quote. Go to Castle Wholesalers to buy wholesale anchor bolts with 12 to 18 inch lengths.

Buy anchor fasteners

These mechanical devices hold components together and find many applications in the construction industry.

I recommend: Choose toggle bolt, wing anchors, plastic, drop-in, expansion, hollow wall, lag shield, wedge, machine screw and L-anchors at Fastening Products of Lancaster, Inc., then contact for pricing. Order from the list of anchor fasteners at InStock Fasteners, Inc.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Notice grade identification symbols for the anchor bolt's properties and material. Many websites contain charts and other vital information about their anchor bolts.

Anchor bolts attach to structural and construction materials such as concrete and masonry. Anchor bolts and anchor fasteners also support bridges, dams and steel bars. Anchor bolts types and styles are designed for use in the automotive, construction, medical, electrical and sheet metal industries. Standard sizes of anchor bolts come in a variety of sizes ranging from 1/2 inch to 24 inches in length. The steel anchor bolt is one of the most common of the anchor bolt design. Anchor bolt materials also comprise of aluminum, brass, bronze, nickel alloys and copper.

Anchor bolts types and styles fall into different configurations depending on the application. Epoxy anchor bolts hold the most strength, and are coated with resin to prevent material corrosion. Anchor bolts and fasteners are also known as concrete anchor bolts, foundation anchor bolts and machinery anchor bolts. For bending, drilling, attaching and other installing purposes, anchor bolts types and styles come in J-type, L-type and U-type configurations. Round, square and adjustable anchor bolts also conform to product specifications and assemblies.

1. Select anchor bolts types and styles based on material structure and sizes.

2. Explore capabilities of anchor fasteners and anchor bolts.

3. Pick anchor bolts based on product configurations.

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Add anchor bolts made from different materials and sizes

Choose from aluminum, nickel alloys, steel anchor bolts, epoxy anchor bolts and concrete anchor bolts.

I recommend: Anchors Unlimited manufactures wire-form stud, askew and anchor bolts made from stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum, nickel and copper. FM Stainless also provides anchor bolts made from stainless steel, brass, bronze, fiberglass and more. ANCO Fastener Manufacturing stocks ½-inch to 1½-inch anchor bolts.

Choose anchor bolts types and styles based on capabilities

Find certified anchor bolt manufacturers that distribute anchor bolts equipped to handle installing and machining processes.

I recommend: Industrial anchor bolt distributor Deco Manufacturing sells foundation anchor bolts capable of working with heavy-duty equipment. Unisorb Installation also manufactures heavy-duty and wedge-shaped anchor bolts that provide tensile strength to other materials. Anchor bolts from Cal-Fasteners can apply to equipment such as computers, panel boards or transformers.

Examine different anchor bolt configurations

Find anchor fasteners, concrete anchor bolts, epoxy anchor bolts and other types with different configurations.

I recommend: Baco Enterprises supplies low carbon galvanized J-type and U-type anchor bolts designed to hold bridges and dams. AA Anchor Bolt features a product line of square and round bend U-bolts, standard and nonstandard L-bolts and other machinery anchor bolts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Certifications for anchor bolts types and styles come from associations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and ASTM International, also known as the American Society for Testing and Materials.
• •  Other specialty anchor bolts include sleeve, drop-in, snake, plate-bolt and single- and double-end thread configurations.

Every building made of concrete uses anchor bolts. These simple, but crucial devices are used to attach structures or objects to concrete surfaces. Depending on the load they are designed to bear, these bolts can range in size from something you can find at Home Depot to bolts that are 4" or more in diameter. Whether you're planning a concrete construction or would just like to know more about anchor bolts, the following terms will get you started.

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Cast-in-place anchor bolts

As the name implies, cast-in-place anchor bolts are placed in the concrete as the concrete is being cast. This is the optimal way to place anchor bolts, as it's simpler than post-casting placement and typically provides greater strength.

I recommend: BACO Enterprises discusses the advantages of cast-in-place anchor bolts.

Embedment

Embedment is a term for how far the anchor bolts are embedded in the concrete. For lighter attachments, a shallow embedment may be adequate, but larger or more stressed attachments require deeper embedments to properly anchor the greater load.

I recommend: Science Direct has a discussion about embedment depth.

Wedge anchor

Wedge anchors, or wedge fasteners, are a type of anchor bolt that is attached by drilling a hole into the concrete. When the wedge anchor is tightened it expands in its hole to ensure that it is firmly wedged into place.

I recommend: Concrete Fastening Systems has a wedge anchor illustration and video.

Expansion sleeve

The expansion sleeve is the object that expands to ensure that sleeve fasteners are securely embedded.

I recommend: ConcreteNetwork.com discusses several types of anchor bolts and anchor bolt parts, including expansion sleeves.

Galvanization

Galvanization is the process by which iron or steel is coated with zinc for added corrosion resistance. Treated items are said to be 'galvanized'. Although galvanized items are more expensive than their non-galvanized counterparts, galvanized components are widely used because of the added corrosion and rust-resistance that galvanization imparts. This is especially true when the steel or iron object is subject to moisture or harsh climates.

I recommend: wiseGEEK has a clear explanation of galvanization and how the zinc coating acts to protect the underlying metal.

Right-angle anchor bolt

Right-angle anchor bolts are cast-in-place anchor bolts designed for heavy construction. They are widely used in everything from light poles to structural steel columns. Unless you're involved in heavy construction, it's unlikely that you'll come across these bolts.

I recommend: Portland Bolt & Manufacturing Company illustrates and describes right-angle bolts.