Dowel for a wooden wall. Dowel screw - why do the structures not fall off? What kind of dowels are there?

Fastening any material to any foundation is an essential part of any construction work. There are very few methods of fastening: using a material that provides adhesion, or using special fasteners. The latter include the dowel.

While not a truly universal solution, dowels are extremely versatile and are used in almost all areas. Therefore, today we will talk about the types of dowels and their application.

To be fair, the dowel is not the fastening itself, but that part of it that is inserted into the base and provides the very possibility of fastening. Its predecessor was an ordinary wooden plug - a chopik, which was driven into the walls so that it became possible to drive a nail into the base.

The dowel still plays the same role today. But, it’s true, modern models offer the possibility of mounting on a wide variety of materials: both, and, plasterboard and loose slag concrete. The design of the product provides such wide possibilities.

A dowel is a sleeve or sleeve. The dowel itself does not form a fastening, but is firmly fixed in the wall material. An object or material is secured by screwing or driving a nail, screw or screw into the sleeve. At the same time, the sleeve changes shape - it expands, twists, folds, that is, it forms a very reliable adhesion to the base.

The video below will tell you how to choose the right dowel for the job:

Expansion and non-expansion parts

The dowel consists of two parts: expansion and non-expansion.

Non-expandable– the upper part of the sleeve does not change shape when passing through the hardware. This gap ends up inside the attached material, where there is no need to form a strong adhesion. In addition, the non-spacer part prevents contact of the base metal with the fastener material. The length of the non-expanding part is determined by the purpose of the product.
- If the thickness of the material being fixed is small - panels, slats, furniture, brackets - then the length of the non-expanding part is small.
- If the fastener must pass through voids or a layer of thermal insulation, then the length of the non-expandable fragment increases.
Spacer- or the working part. As the screw passes, this fragment of the sleeve changes shape. In most cases, the bushing expands, compressing the walls of the hole and thereby increasing the friction force. In some cases, the sleeve can be folded - a butterfly dowel - to press against the back of the sheet material, or compressed to form a thrust unit - in a hollow material. It is this part of the product that ensures the formation of fasteners.

Expansion dowel type 2 (K)

Additional items

Various additional elements enhance the spacer properties of the product:

locking– mustaches, spikes, ailerons, prevent the dowel from turning during installation;
spacer- various protrusions, spikes and teeth of different shapes and sizes, which, when expanded, form more dense contact with the walls of the hole and prevent the elements from being pulled out - directed against the outward movement;
axial– as a rule, this is a channel that helps maintain the axial direction of the liner;
cuts on the body of the bushing - slits along the entire length of the spacer part facilitate deformation of the dowel body. There can be 2, 3, 4 cuts: the more of them, the more uniform pressure the bushing exerts on the surrounding material.

Construction exceptions

The design may differ quite noticeably from that described, since the purpose of the fasteners requires special solutions.

Thus, models for thermal insulation are distinguished by a large length of the non-expanding part, since they pass through the insulation layer and a very wide cap, thanks to which this loose material is retained.
But non-removable spacer models may not even have a collar and are practically invisible, but at the same time they are “equipped” with a mass of protrusions and spikes in order to better stay in the wall.

Common to all types of dowels, with rare exceptions, is the installation scheme, which necessarily includes pre-drilling holes. On the one hand, this increases the time required to complete the work, on the other hand, it provides a much more reliable fastening than when using different types or. A dowel is a more universal solution; besides, today there are a lot of materials in which another type of fastening is practically impossible.

Types of such products

Dowel fasteners are extremely diverse. Today, there are modifications for almost any building material, for different installation methods, from different materials, and so on. With such a wealth of choice, it is simply impossible not to find the right one.

The actual limitation for fasteners is the thickness of the material being attached and the maximum possible service load. This value can reach 200 kg or more, but when installing really heavy structures - metal frames, for example, this is not enough. In this case, the entrance is anchored.

By fastening method

This factor most significantly affects the design of the product. The point here is the nature of the base material.

Driva type screw-in dowel

dense materials

In dense, heavy concrete, for example, even an ordinary screw will create a strong fastening, since it is pressed tightly against the wall material, which creates a friction force. Of course, a nail is inferior to a dowel, since the spacer and locking elements of the sleeve, when expanded, are deformed exactly to the shape of the hole. In this case, the friction force is greater, which means the fastening is more reliable.

For installation on solid materials, fastening to which is difficult precisely due to the density of the material, and is used. Most product modifications are designed to work with concrete:

– any plan and with any component screw. This is the first, classic, one might say, dowel. Its design differs from different manufacturers mainly in the number and shape of teeth, spikes, and ailerons;
– a variant that behaves similarly to a spacer in a solid material, but exhibits different qualities in a hollow material;
frame and facade - ultimately, this product is designed for fastening into dense material, even if it is slotted;
– the dowel is designed for quick mass installation, most often involving the use of a mounting gun. You can read about the sizes and uses, varieties, types, prices of dowel-nails in a separate special material.

This video will show you how to insert a dowel into a wall:

Hollow or loose materials

In a hollow or loose material, tight contact cannot be achieved: when expanding, a conventional spacer sleeve forms only a few points of contact, which is not enough for fastening. The design of the dowel in this case involves the formation of fastenings due to the shape. There are several options here:

universal– in a material with voids or too porous, the dowel does not feel sufficient resistance when screwing in the screw. The sleeve does not expand as in concrete, but literally screws onto a screw. Moving towards the fastener, it forms a dense, complex assembly, which acts as a stop. Of course, the load-bearing capacity of such fastening is lower than that of a conventional spacer, but it is quite sufficient to fasten furniture, equipment and communications to porous concrete;
quite suitable for installation in frame, but only when installing plastic windows and doors. The design and large length of the product makes it unsuitable for other purposes;
driven dowel for - the spacer sleeve has three curved petals, which, expanding, push through the walls of the hole and form a tight knot. In this case, the fastener is not screwed in, but driven in;
screw dowel for aerated concrete - the bushing has a cone-shaped shape and large teeth in the form of a helical spiral. The teeth partially push through the walls of the hole, partially compress them - this complex deformation creates a strong fastening. The metal modification for aerated concrete wedges more strongly, but acts according to the same mechanism.

Sheet or panel material

Another type of material is sheet or panel. In this case, there is only a void behind a thin layer of material. The fastening is also formed due to the shape, but in an unusual way. This dowel has through slots along almost the entire length. When the screw is screwed in, the sleeve literally folds, and its petals form a conical tent or umbrella, which is pressed tightly against a sheet of drywall, plasterboard or steel.

Only two types of fasteners work in this way: butterfly and molly. The fundamental difference between them is the material of manufacture:

– made from galvanized or. Working load varies from 12 to 75 kg. Since molly is most often used when fastening lamps and equipment, the dowel is equipped with special screws: with a ring, with a hook, with an L-shaped hook;
butterfly- has exactly the same design, but is made of plastic. The fastener is lighter, but also designed for a smaller load - up to 30 kg.

Expansion dowel type N

By type of installation

This does not mean the method of deepening the nail into the dowel, but the installation of the dowel itself. There are 2 options.

Pre-installation– the fastener is fixed in the body of the base and loaded, the attached material is adjacent to the base. Most dowels “work” according to this principle: spacer, nail, universal.
Through-hole installation– before being fixed in the base, the fastener must pass through a layer of intermediate material or a void area. Such a product always has an elongated non-expanding part. These include:
- frame dowel - the sleeve passes through the profile of a window or door and goes deep into the wall. Moreover, there is always empty space between the frame and the wall. In addition, metal-plastic structures have to be installed on hollow bricks and other slotted materials. In these cases, special frame fasteners with two spacer zones are used;
- facade - fasteners pass through the heat-insulating material and take into account the thickness of the ventilation gap between the facade cladding and the insulation or wall. It has the same device, but differs in greater power, that is, in diameter and size, and is often made of metal;
- roofing - the sleeve is non-expandable and has a hole in the end part and a wide cap in the top. The nail passes through the sleeve and is fixed in the base;
- - can be spacer or non-spacer, in any case it has a very large cap - 45–90 mm in diameter to hold soft and loose material.

By material

Most dowel fasteners are made of plastic. The explanation is simple: the strength of the fastening is largely determined by the strength and ease of deformation, and plastic, characterized by viscosity and elasticity, is much easier to deform compared to other materials and does not lose its properties.

Moreover, no extraordinary abilities are required from the plastic itself: fasteners are made from the most affordable polymers.

Polyethylene– lightweight, resistant to acids and bases, colorless polymer. It has good viscosity and retains its properties during deformation. It is dielectric and does not corrode, but ages and cracks over time. It is cold-resistant: the products can be used at temperatures down to -40 C.
Polypropylene– less resistant to cold, but is more hard and wear-resistant. More resistant to heat - it begins to deform no earlier than +140 C. It is also susceptible to cracking.
Polyamide– nylon. Rigid, durable, viscous material with a density of 1.14 g / cc. It is resistant to vibration, wears out slightly and is insensitive to mechanical damage. It is considered the most durable and reliable mount. The disadvantage is hygroscopicity, which is why installation in wet or frosty weather is prohibited.

All have one common drawback: they are combustible, and they can burn even after the source of the flame is removed. For fixing fire hazardous objects - a gas pipeline, for example, metal dowels must be used.

Metal in shape and structure do not differ from plastic ones, although their choice is much smaller. Metal, being distinguished by its strength and rigidity, has much less elasticity and viscosity, and, therefore, cannot deform as much as plastic without losing its properties. However, metal fasteners have a higher load-bearing capacity, which is necessary in some cases.

Dowels are made from galvanized steel and stainless steel. Regular steel is susceptible to corrosion and needs protection; a layer of zinc prevents corrosion. Stainless steel models do not corrode, but their cost is noticeably higher.
Dowels can be made from special alloys with the addition of chromium, as well as from and even. Such materials are especially resistant to corrosion and are durable, but due to their high cost they are used only in the most critical areas.

Types of dowels by direction of use (photo)

By area of application

During installation, important factors are not only the surface material, but also the characteristics of the attached material. In relation to it, products are divided into dowels for general use and special ones.

General purpose fasteners– this includes all options for which the load-bearing capacity turns out to be a more important characteristic than the possibility of fastening to specific materials. This is, for example, an expansion dowel, a nail dowel, a universal one. Such fasteners are applicable to almost any type of surface and allow you to fix both the lamp and the facing panel.
Special– has various design features that clearly limit the scope of application:
- – the product is not easy for through installation, but is only suitable for installing a metal-plastic profile. The ratio of the length of the non-spacer and spacer parts to the profile features is observed very accurately;
- dowel for thermal insulation ( disc type)– suitable only for insulation, as it has a low load-bearing capacity, and the very wide cap is designed to hold only soft material;
- - a butterfly or molly can show its design feature - the sleeve folds, pressing against the sheet, can only be in complete emptiness. Even in a slotted material, such a feature is not realized;
- - a specialized product with a special type of screw. The model was created for fastening cables and pipelines and is not used anywhere else;
- fasteners with metric threads - designed to work in conjunction not with a regular one, but with a bolt or stud with a metric thread.

In the catalog from a well-known manufacturer you can find a wide variety of products. Moreover, comparative tables contain data on what depth a particular dowel should be immersed, what load it is designed for, and even how it will behave in a particular environment.

As a result, the most important thing is to find out what the builder is actually dealing with in each specific case.

Base material

In dense concrete, old concrete, aerated concrete, the same fastener behaves completely differently and can withstand different loads. So finding out what exactly the walls and ceiling in the apartment are made of is very important. This can be done using a fairly simple test: dust from a drill hole.

Concrete– The material has a strong resistance when drilling. Drill flour is finely ground, hard, free-flowing, the color varies from white to light gray.
Old concrete and stretched- the color of the flour is closer to gray. When drilling, “dips” are felt: the drill unexpectedly easily passes through the damaged areas.
– the resistance of the material is low, the hole is larger than the diameter of the drill. The dust is light, mostly white, but coarse-grained and slightly sticky to the touch.
Clay brick, both full-bodied and hollow - produces reddish or yellowish dust, hard and free-flowing.
The flour is light, the resistance during drilling is greater.
When drilling limestone The dust will be white, sandy, the resistance is average.
When drilling drywall white dust is formed. It noticeably sticks to the channels on the drill. Gypsum fiber produces gray dust.

Even without knowing the exact brand of concrete or class of brick, this information is already enough to determine the category of dowels used.

Dowel type U

Load nature

The most important thing here is to correctly determine the load and correctly calculate the power of the dowel. The latter is determined by the ratio of the diameter and length of the fastener.

In everyday life we most often deal with these types of loads.

Horizontal cut– such a load occurs when installing cabinets, shelves, pictures and larger structures on the wall. Fasteners are selected according to the weight of the product - from 6 to 10 mm. The length ensures fixation in the wall material. The dowel is immersed 30–50 mm into a solid base; in a loose or slotted recess it should be more.
Vertical– the load that occurs when installing a chandelier, communications, or air conditioner on the ceiling. With the same dowel parameters, the penetration should be greater than into the wall. For example, with a diameter of 6 mm, the fastener must enter at least 40 mm into the wall, and into the ceiling - at least 60 mm.

For installation in the ceiling, you need to select a dowel with additional elements: transverse notches, spacer wings, and so on. The hole in the ceiling must exactly match the diameter of the dowel, the fasteners fit very tightly.

- is formed during the operation of a ladder, Swedish wall, horizontal bar or other sports equipment. Bolted fasteners are preferred in this case, as they are more resistant to vibration.

For greater reliability of fastening, the dowel is lubricated with PVA glue. When mounting on a ceiling, this technique is often recommended.

Features of the base and product

A special dowel has also been developed for special products. These models are not interchangeable except in special cases.

For example, it is possible to replace a frame mount with a facade mount, since the latter also has a long non-expansive part and has a high load-bearing capacity.
It is impossible to replace the dowel for mounting on sheet material - a butterfly or a molly. The products differ in the material of manufacture - plastic and metal, respectively, but have the same design: when the screw is tightened, the sleeve folds up, pressing against the sheet.
A similar design has a universal dowel, which also deforms in voids, forming a knot. However, for drywall, during its installation, this type of dowel is rarely used, since it is very expensive. But when attaching to tiles or sheet steel, it is irreplaceable.

Plastic and of the same design and purpose differs only in bearing capacity. They can be replaced within the same range. But if the structure being fixed is fire hazardous, only metal fasteners are allowed.

There is nothing to replace the dowel for thermal insulation - this is the only possible fastener for soft insulation.
Obviously, you cannot use a general-purpose expansion dowel in aerated concrete: the material does not create sufficient friction force. However, fasteners for porous material are not installed in dense concrete: the shape possibilities in such a material turn out to be excessive.

Dowel - fasteners are extremely diverse. Among its many types, you can find models for both solid and hollow material, for fixing heavy structures and loose insulation, for installing windows and communications.

This video will tell you how to strengthen the dowel in a large hole:

When carrying out repair work and landscaping of premises, there is a need to ensure reliable fastening of interior items, electrical equipment, and hanging furniture to various bases. To accomplish this task, a special fastening element is used - a metal dowel, as well as clamps made of plastic or nylon. The fastener ensures reliable fixation to concrete, brick bases, as well as cellular blocks. Let us consider in detail what an expansion dowel with a metal rod is.

Dowel-nail driven 3.7x30

What is a driving dowel

A dowel bolt is a special fastening element that provides the ability to fasten wall cabinets, electrical equipment, cable ducts and interior items.

The design of modern fasteners ensures reliable fastening in various building materials:

heavy grades of concrete;
blocks of porous composites;
plasterboard sheets;
various types of bricks;
cinder blocks;
plaster.

The fastening device, which is also called a fisher dowel, is made in the form of a sleeve, shaped like a cylinder with protrusions:

the outer surface of the cylinder, in contact with the hole in the building material, is equipped with special hooks. They increase grip;
a hole is made inside, parallel to which narrow cuts are made. They provide the possibility of deformation when screwing a bolt or screw.

Driven dowel (collet)

The fastening mechanism is installed and functions according to a simple algorithm:

The cylindrical element is driven into the prepared channel.
The mounting element is screwed into the sleeve hole.
The collet mechanism expands when a self-tapping screw or bolt is screwed in.
External corrugations fit tightly into the building material.

Let us dwell in more detail on the design of the device.

Components and design features

Regardless of the material used, the working bushings, all types of dowels consist of the following structural parts:

a working sleeve, which is driven into a hole pre-drilled in the building material;
fastening element, in the form of a self-tapping screw, threaded bolt or screw, screwed into the plug.

The body of the sleeve itself includes two sections:

the upper part, which maintains the diameter when screwing the hardware. The non-expandable section of the plug retains its original shape, directing the fastening element deep into the channel;
the working part, which is also called the spacer. A screw-on self-tapping screw pushes the sleeve segments apart. They are pressed against the building material, creating a persistent knot.

Metal butterfly dowel for plasterboard

The size of the non-expanding section is determined by the fastening features:

the reduced length is used if it is necessary to ensure the operation of the collet mechanism over the entire channel area;
the enlarged non-expandable section allows you to install fasteners through cavities or a layer of thermal insulation.

Structural parts of the spacer mechanism:

locking elements in the form of spikes, bosses or corrugations. They make it difficult to rotate the sleeve when screwing in a screw or bolt;
spacer teeth and spikes. They increase the efficiency of contact with the channel walls, preventing the sleeve from falling out;
slots located parallel to the longitudinal axis. They divide the body into separate segments that alleviate deformation and equalize pressure.

A correctly installed expansion dowel is securely fixed in all building materials. A metal spacer element in the form of a bolt or self-tapping screw, when screwed, increases the diameter of the sleeve and, accordingly, increases the efficiency of contact with the material.

Main advantages

The dowel element has a range of advantages:

Along with increased performance characteristics, dowel fasteners are reliable and durable.

What are the types of dowels - types and classification

Dowel fasteners are now offered in an expanded range. It is not difficult to purchase the required modification to ensure strong attachment to any building material.

The following points influence the choice of a specific model::

fixation method;
installation method;
sleeve material;
application area;
base material.

Let us dwell in detail on the main provisions of the classification.

Types of dowels and their use according to the method of fixation

Metal dowel-nail

The design features of the fastener are related to the characteristics of the material into which the sleeve is driven.

All types of dowel clamps according to this criterion are divided as follows:

products for materials with increased density. Most fasteners with a spacer operating principle are suitable for solid concrete walls, brick foundations and heavy concrete. The products differ in the configuration of the protrusions, the number of cuts and sizes. Reliability of fastening is ensured due to the friction force, as well as the increased density of the array;
fasteners for cellular and hollow materials. Porous substrates are characterized by low strength, so it is important to choose the correct hole diameter to ensure effective contact with the fastening unit. Nylon dowels, as well as liquid dowels, have proven themselves to be good for cellular bases;
fasteners for drywall and thin boards. Sheet building materials are mounted to special profiles. As a result, a cavity is formed where the heat insulator is laid. The dowel clamp for such structures is called a butterfly. It has elongated slots. When screwing in the self-tapping screw, the sleeve takes on an umbrella shape.

When choosing a fastener to perform specific tasks, take into account the characteristics of the building material and select the correct fasteners, taking into account the method of fixation.

Types of dowels by installation method

Dowel bushings feature a design that allows for a variety of installation options:

The increased diameter of the self-tapping screw head allows you to reliably hold drywall and other types of sheet building materials that are attached using the through-hole installation method.

What material is the dowel plug made of?

Most fasteners are made from plastic. This is due to the low cost, availability, increased performance characteristics of the material, as well as the lack of the need to apply significant effort when screwing fasteners.

Various types of polymer materials are used for the manufacture of plastic retainers.:

polyethylene. Easily deformable while maintaining integrity. It is lightweight and resistant to corrosion. Can be used when temperatures drop to 40 degrees below zero. Disadvantage: gradual loss of performance properties and cracking;
polypropylene. It is used mainly indoors, as it is susceptible to negative temperatures. Advantages: increased hardness, wear resistance, and the ability to operate at high temperatures. The weak side is the appearance of cracks during long-term operation under temperature changes;
polyamide. The material is also known as nylon. It is little subject to wear and is not afraid of mechanical stress. The nylon fastener is the most durable and reliable among other plastic fasteners.

Dowel for thermal insulation with a metal nail and thermal plug Strezzar Standard ST-M10x140 - 1

Along with plastic fasteners, metal products are used:

of stainless steel;
galvanizing;
alloys based on brass or bronze.

Despite the increased strength characteristics and rigidity of metal fasteners, they are inferior to plastic in their ability to deform while maintaining integrity. At the same time, the metal is able to withstand increased loads. Protective coatings significantly increase the service life of metal dowel elements.

In what areas is the dowel anchor used?

Depending on the area of application, dowel clamps are divided into the following types::

standard. This is a universal fastener that is used in everyday life. Provides increased load-bearing capacity;
special. They have a narrow purpose - they fasten metal-plastic, sheet insulation, drywall, cable boxes and pipes.

The design of the dowel fastening allows it to be used to solve various problems.

How to choose a metal expansion dowel and other types of fasteners

Guided by special tables, it is easy to select a clamp to perform specific tasks.

Please pay attention to the following points:

base material. After performing test drilling, you can determine the type of building material by the color of the dust and the resistance of the tool;
current load. It is important to assess the magnitude and direction of the acting forces when selecting a clamp of the required cross-section and length.

The dowel clamp is a convenient and reliable method of fastening. It is important to be able to choose the right design and dimensions of the dowel, taking into account the tasks at hand. This will ensure reliable fixation for a long time.

The rapid development of construction technologies entails the development and creation of not only the latest materials, but also the introduction of various fastening systems. Among these fasteners, dowel is widely used. This is a special element used for fastening a wide variety of structures. The industry produces a lot of different types of dowels to solve a huge number of problems. Let's look at what it is, as well as the main types of these products.

Characteristic

A dowel is a fastening element that is intended for installation and connection work. Now the industry produces a huge number of types of these elements. Each type is suitable for a specific material. There are products for concrete, metal or wood, as well as plasterboard structures.

Such fasteners are used when access to the edge of the rod for connection is difficult or impossible. For example, you need to make a hole in the wall to install a cabinet in the kitchen or a shelf in the room - for this you need a dowel. Also, a dowel is an ideal choice when the wall is hollow or has voids in it. Any other fasteners and systems will simply be ineffective.

What dowels look like, principle of operation

This fastener is a cylindrical rod in appearance. If we talk about materials, then polypropylene, metal, polyethylene. The industry also produces metal dowel anchors.

The product consists of two parts. The first is spacer. It will expand during installation, making the fastener reliable. The second part is indisputable. Some products have special cuffs. They prevent the dowel from falling through the hole.

Types of dowels, photo

Construction stores offer a wide selection of different products. But you need to understand that each of them is suitable for solving specific problems. There are several types of these elements:

Polypropylene.
Spacers.
For drywall work.
Nylon.
Adjusting.
Type "butterfly" and "umbrella".
Dowel nail.
Frame, etc.

Let's look at the main types of dowels and their use.

Universal polypropylene

These are the simplest dowels, but they are suitable for a large part of fastening work. These elements can be selected when working with stone, concrete walls, and brick. During the process of screwing in the self-tapping screw, the plastic dowel will wrap around the metal, thereby strengthening the fastening.

Universal spacer

This is also a polypropylene product. However, its peculiarity is the presence of spacers.

Due to these parts, the element holds well inside the hole made.

Dowels for working with plasterboard walls

These parts are designed and manufactured specifically for fastening into plasterboard or gypsum fiber walls. If you need to install something in porous concrete, then choose this option. These fasteners are made from metal or plastic.

Metal products are called "molly". When working with them, there is no need to pre-make a hole. The tip of the dowel is

Nylon hardware

These elements are made of nylon. They can be used for almost any task. They are ideal for any surface.

Thanks to the presence of special “whiskers”, this dowel is securely held in any wall. With such fasteners, self-tapping screws with a diameter of 0.02 to 0.16 cm are used.

Butterfly

These types of expansion dowels are designed for serious fastening work.

This element is able to withstand enormous loads, even if it is fixed in a hollow wall. Such fasteners are made mainly of metal.

Adjustment dowel

This product is intended for fastening sheathing for sheathing.
The main feature of these parts is the ability to adjust the position of the elements in relation to the base to which the fasteners are made.

Umbrella

These are special types of dowels, and their application is also special. They are not used in most fastening works, but are intended only for the installation of thermal insulation materials made of mineral wool or polystyrene. In appearance, the part really resembles an umbrella - for example, there is a wide round cap. It is necessary to hold the insulation.

They are made of metal and plastic. However, there are other umbrellas. They are intended for drywall and hanging structures. A metal umbrella molly dowel is a nail with shoulders that securely fasten into a hollow wall. In this case, the load is distributed evenly. Using this type of fasteners, you can hang even the heaviest chandeliers in suspended plasterboard ceilings.

collar

In appearance, this fastener is a loop. These products are made of plastic. These clamps are intended for installation work on electrical wiring. Using these dowels is very simple. First, a hole of the required diameter is made in the base, then the wire is pressed with a clamp.

Its edges are inserted into the hole. In this way, corrugated pipes of small diameters can be secured.

Frame dowels

These parts are made of metal - their use is quite specific. They are designed for installing window and door frames. But there are other problems that these types of dowels help solve.

And their use (see photos in our article) is relevant for fastening sheathing through plaster or heat-insulating materials.

Dowel nail

This is one of the types of ordinary dowels. The difference is in the possibilities of quick installation - just hammer it into the wall. These products are widely used in repairs. With them you can quickly and securely fasten skirting boards, lighting fixtures on the ceiling, and any materials to any base.

The use of dowel nails makes it possible to easily perform fastening to concrete, wood or a brick wall.

Fastening of baseboards, work on finishing external walls, and work with plasterboard systems are carried out especially quickly. Dowel-nails are often chosen for installation of flashings under balconies and windows.

The main components of a nail are a self-tapping screw with a thread that is narrowed towards the sharp part. This feature makes it possible to work with these elements not only with a screwdriver or drill. You can use a hammer and plastic dowels.

The main difference between this type of fasteners and other types is that the main part works on the principle of a nail, not a self-tapping screw. But some elements that are produced by modern industry may have a slot on the head for a Phillips screwdriver. But turning them with a screwdriver takes quite a long time. It is most effective to use a hammer.

The plastic part expands during the hammering process, thereby providing a reliable and, most importantly, durable fastening. The dowel has a special cuff on one of the edges. It prevents the element from completely going into the hole. The shape of the cuff may vary.

An important point is the technical characteristics. The main parameters are the length and diameter of the nail. Let's take a standard dowel-nail. Dimensions and types - from 40 to 140 mm long, pitch is 20 mm. Diameter - from 5 to 7 mm. To work with these fasteners, the diameter of the hole for them is from 6 to 10 mm. Conventionally, the fastener model is designated by two indicators. This is the diameter of the hole as well as the length.

Self-tapping screws

Dowel fastening involves the use of self-tapping screws. There are several types of these products based on the material into which they will be screwed. The industry produces metal, drill products for concrete, brick and stone. The wood product is distinguished by a rare thread pitch. So, here the distance between the turns is greater than that of products for metal. This is due to the fact that the wood is less dense and hard. These elements can be black, gold and white. The choice of color depends on what you need to work with. Most often, black and gold elements are used with dowels.

Types of screws and dowels come in different lengths. So, the length of black self-tapping screws is from 11 mm to 200 mm. In terms of diameter, black ones start from 3.5 to 4.2 mm. The diameters of the yellow ones are 2.5-6 mm.

Features of choosing a dowel

When selecting a dowel, its shape is only one factor that is usually taken into account. They forget about others, but in vain. It is important to know which size to choose. For example, a 6 x 40 dowel is suitable for installation of various profile structures in cinder block walls. Any other size will not fit - the product will simply fall out of the hole.

For walls in panel houses, as well as for non-hollow walls, a different dowel is needed. Dimensions and types - 6 x 60 or 6 x 80. They will help securely mount any structure on the wall. Nothing will fall out or fall through. They can even be used on the ceiling.

When choosing the length of the part, you need to remember the loads that the fastener will experience. The shorter the dowel and self-tapping screw, the less load it will withstand. In addition, the diameter is also very important. For ordinary household work, parts with a diameter of 8 to 10 millimeters are suitable. The difference in hole depth affects the maximum load.

Choosing a drill for a dowel

The basic rule when working with this type of fastener is that the diameter of the drill must correspond to the number or size of the dowel. In an ideal situation, the plastic or metal element should fit into the hole with difficulty. As for the drill material, experienced experts recommend choosing a pobedit tool for concrete. It is enough to solve most construction problems. It doesn’t make much sense to purchase more expensive drills.

A dowel-nail is a type of special fastening element, which is a nail that is narrowed to a point and equipped with a conical thread. The dowel-nail consists of a plastic spacer part equipped with a special cuff, thanks to which the dowel does not fall completely into the hole.

When working with such a nail, it is driven into the spacer part, which, when the nail is deepened into it, expands and is securely fixed in the hole, fixing the nail itself. Some types of dowel nails are equipped with a slotted head, which allows you to screw them in with a screwdriver, but driving them in with a hammer is still more convenient and efficient.

There are several types of dowel nails:

Fungus. The end of its plastic spacer is rounded, giving it a mushroom-like appearance. This product provides significant downforce.

Hidden nail. It is used in cases where it is necessary to drive a nail flush with the wall.

Characteristics of dowel nails

The standard length of products varies in the range of 40-140 mm, with length increments of 20 mm.

The standard cross-section of a nail is within 5-7 millimeters.

The diameter of the mounting hole for the nail is 6-10 mm.

The thickness of the material into which the dowel nail is driven should be in the range of 10-100 mm.

Nails are made of high quality galvanized steel. The plastic part is made of polymers: polyamide, polypropylene and others; there are also spacer parts made of steel and other metals.

Types of dowel-nails

Based on the material of the spacer part, nails are divided into plastic and metal. They are classified much more widely according to their purpose and form.

The main types of such products:

Nails for use with a special mounting gun;

An ordinary, hand-driven nail, which is most often used in construction work;

Nail for working with drywall;

A nail of the “butterfly” variety, which gives the most durable connection due to the fact that the opening end of the plastic part is in the shape of “wings” on the back side of the hole.

Nails can be equipped with either a smooth head or a slot, which allows them to be tightened with a screwdriver or screwdriver. Slotted nails can be reusable and can be simply dismantled.

Application of dowel nails

Such nails find their use wherever it is necessary to create a strong fastening, as well as in cases where it is necessary to quickly create a reliable connection without the need to accurately mark the fastening site. Thermal insulation, cladding, drywall, and metal structures are attached to various types of solid foundations using dowel nails.

Installation features when working with dowel-nails

When working with brickwork, you need to take into account that the brick may be hollow. Therefore, you need to carefully select a place for the dowel, carefully drill a hole at low speed, then insert the dowel into it and drive a nail.

Working with concrete walls is similar, but here you no longer need to maintain a low drilling speed when making a hole. Plasterboard bases require special care due to their low ability to bear loads. First, a hole is made in the plasterboard base, then a plastic spacer is inserted into it and a dowel nail is screwed into it.

In this case, it is not advisable to hammer the fasteners by force using a hammer. No less caution and attentiveness must be observed when connecting ceramic and facing tiles with nails; before drilling, you must first mark the place with a glass cutter, making a hole, and only after that start drilling slowly and carefully.

Installation using dowel-nails VIDEO

When choosing a dowel, as a rule, one proceeds from five main parameters: the magnitude and nature of the load on the dowel, the design and material of the base (wall, floor, ceiling), and the type of fastening itself. When it is difficult to determine the weight of the attached object, it is better to take dowels that are designed for a obviously large load.

If the dowels are not equipped with standard screws, screws or special nails, they are selected in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, which are usually set out on the packaging or in separate instructions. Here you should pay attention not only to the diameter of the screw, but also to choose the correct length, taking into account the thickness of the part being fixed.

Now more about some types of dowels.

The most common standard nylon dowels can solve most home problems. They are suitable for any wall and are used with screws with a diameter of 2 to 16 mm.

A hole is drilled in the wall corresponding to the diameter of the dowel, in which it is held with tendrils directed back, and when wedged with a screw, it is “tightly” pressed into the walls of the hole with its large teeth.

Dowels for aerated concrete are also traditional fastening elements. Under such a dowel, a hole is drilled corresponding to the diameter of its core. It is driven into the hole with hammer blows, and at the base it is held in place by spiral ribs and wedging under the action of a screw.

Frame dowels are produced in lengths from 60 to 360 mm. They come in two main types: for solid solid bases and for soft and hollow (slotted) materials. The elongated spacer part ensures that the dowel engages several jumpers in the base with voids at once. Frame dowels are used when fastening window and door frames, as well as sheathing elements through a layer of plaster and thermal insulation.

The so-called distance (adjustment) dowels allow you to secure the sheathing slats under the sheathing at a certain distance from the wall.

They allow you to adjust the position of the sheathing slats relative to the base in the range from 0 to 30 mm during their installation due to the dowel and screw of a special design that are divided into two parts (one for the base, the other for the slats). It is so easy to compensate for all the unevenness of the base.

Universal dowels are interesting because when attaching objects to a hollow base, they “determine” the presence of a hollow space. In the cavity, the dowel bulges and is thus fixed in it. When attached to a solid base of brick or concrete, it expands and comes into close contact with the walls of the hole.

Dowels with spring-loaded folding strips are designed for attaching objects to hollow partitions and false ceilings, for example, for hanging chandeliers. The dowel strips, having passed through the hole into the cavity behind the casing, open under the action of a spring and rest against the inner surface of the casing. They are sold complete with hooks and threaded rods. There are also similar dowels with an asymmetrical falling bar (without a spring).

Metal dowels for hollow thin-walled structures can withstand fairly heavy loads. When the screw is screwed in, the dowel plates bulge in all directions and are pressed against the inner supporting surface.

Nail dowels are designed for quick fastening of baseboards and sheathing slats under sheathing when you need to install a large number of them. The dowel is equipped with a nail that has a “finish” (knurling in the form of reverse cones). The dowel with a nail is inserted into the hole in the wall through the fixed strip. The nail is then simply driven in with a hammer.

To attach mineral wool or rigid foam insulation, a special dowel has been developed, the so-called insulation holder, which is driven into a hole in a concrete or brick wall without a nail or screw.

Dowels for concrete and solid bricks, designed for large (up to several tons) loads, are made of metal and equipped with threaded rods or bolts. These dowels are suitable for attaching sun awnings, garage doors or lifting hoists. It is advisable, for safety reasons, to use metal dowels when installing suspended ceilings, since in the event of a fire the plastic dowels will melt and the ceiling will collapse.

Plastic and metal dowels for soft materials (plasterboard and porous concrete) allow them to be installed without first drilling a hole. Thanks to the tip in the form of a feather drill and large, screw-like threads on the outer surface of the body, the dowel can be easily screwed into the wall with a regular screwdriver.

Injection dowels stand apart from the rest.

A mesh anchor is inserted into the hole. Using a special syringe, a quick-hardening mixture is injected into the dowel through a protective sleeve. When the mixture is pumped, the mesh expands, forming a kind of ball-shaped anchor. To fasten objects to walls made of slotted bricks or blocks, instead of a mesh anchor, you can use an injection anchor without a mesh.

All of the above dowels can be purchased in specialized stores and markets. However, in order not to “miss” with quality, it is better to purchase this product in construction supermarkets, which sell high-quality dowels produced by well-known companies (such as Upat, Fischer, TOX). Fasteners cost differently - from 10-15 rubles for a set of standard dowels to 100 rubles for one metal dowel.

Nikolay RODIONOV

The material was prepared with the assistance of the company "ASS-2"

Provided by Kolan LLC