Originally Posted On: https://www.oldwestiron.com/blogs/news/lag-bolts-our-top-ten-favorite-applications

Lag Bolts: Our Top Ten Favorite Applications

Lag bolts, known for their strength, reliability, and timeless utility, are a staple in both the construction and woodworking worlds. If tools could tell stories, lag bolts would narrate tales of structural triumphs, intricate craftsmanship, and projects passed down through generations. Whether you’re crafting something enduring or building something bold, lag bolts are often the hidden heroes holding it all together.

This list highlights our top ten favorite ways to use lag bolts, showcasing their strength and versatility in a variety of projects. Along the way, you’ll discover practical insights to inspire both your everyday builds and your passion projects.

1. Hanging Custom Iron Signs

There’s something deeply satisfying about mounting a personalized iron sign or a decorative metal feature that stands the test of time. Lag bolts are the go-to choice for hanging custom iron signs because they provide the strength needed to secure heavy pieces to wooden or masonry surfaces. Whether it’s a family nameplate, a business logo, or a piece of rustic artwork, the solid grip of a lag bolt ensures durability against the elements, offering both peace of mind and unmatched stability.

Pro Tip: When mounting on wood, pre-drilling is essential to prevent splitting. For masonry, use anchors to pair with your lag bolts for a firm hold.

2. Fastening Structural T and L Face Plates

Strong structures require robust connections, and lag bolts shine when it comes to securing T Plates and L face plates on wood beams. These plates provide reinforcement at load-bearing junctions in timber framing or wooden structures, ensuring long-term stability.

The lag bolt’s ability to create a firm connection without loosening over time makes it indispensable in these high-stakes areas, whether you’re assembling a timber-framed cabin or adding structural reinforcement to an existing project.

Why It Works: The deep threading on lag bolts allows them to bite into the wood, holding face plates snugly against the surface for a rock-solid connection.

3. Securing Joist Hangers

When constructing decks, patios, or heavy-duty shelving, joist hangers and lag bolts make the perfect pairing. These brackets support beams or planks, anchoring them securely to vertical posts or walls. Using lag bolts ensures these heavy constructions stay firm even under substantial weight.

Consider This: For outdoor construction, opt for black lag bolts. They resist rust and corrosion, making them ideal companions for joist hangers.

4. Securing Post Bases

The foundation of any structure is only as strong as its connection to the. Lag bolts are the unsung heroes when it comes to securing post bases for fencing, pergolas, carports, or even porch columns. Their sturdy grip ensures posts remain upright and steady, even against strong winds or heavy loads.

Pro Tip: Place washers between your lag bolts and post base plates to distribute pressure evenly, reducing the risk of cracking in heavier wood posts.

5. Installing Hinge Straps

For projects requiring functional yet visually appealing hardware, hinge straps secured with lag bolts are unbeatable. Whether you’re building custom barn doors, wooden gates, or decorative shutters, hinging hardware attached with lag bolts provides both aesthetic charm and dependable longevity.

Why We Love It: Hinge straps and lag bolts together add a touch of old-world craftsmanship while ensuring doors and gates swing effortlessly for years to come.

6. Installing Floating Shelves with Corbels

Floating shelves with decorative corbels are an ideal combination of form and function, offering stylish storage solutions for kitchens, living rooms, and offices. However, to prevent sagging over time, opting for lag bolts over lighter-duty screws gives your shelves the steadfast support they need to hold even the heaviest decorations or dinnerware.

Pro Tip: When anchoring floating shelves, attach lag bolts to wall studs for maximum stability. No studs available? Heavy-duty wall anchors will do the trick.

7. Installing Angle Iron

Angle iron—a right-angle steel beam—is often used for bracing and structural support. Whether it’s in a workshop, garage, or industrial warehouse, lag bolts are the perfect fasteners for attaching angle iron to wooden frameworks.

Why It Works: Lag bolts provide a strong, vibration-resistant connection. This is particularly important in high-traffic or high-impact environments where structures endure frequent strain.

8. Securing Copper Sheets

Copper, with its unmistakable gleam and patina, is a favored material for both aesthetic and functional applications. Whether you’re installing copper sheets for a countertop, backsplash, or bar top, lag bolts bring the right balance of practicality and visual appeal.

Pro Tip: Use lag bolts with complementary finishes to preserve the beauty of the copper while securing it. Brass bolts, for instance, pair beautifully with copper for a cohesive look.

9. Installing Iron Strapping

Iron strapping is often used as both a design element and a reinforcement tool in wooden construction. Whether you’re adding flair to exposed beams or giving extra strength to a barn door, lag bolts ensure the strapping stays firmly secured.

A Touch of Elegance: Iron strapping with hammered or antique finishes combined with black lag bolts can transform a utilitarian look into something with rustic charm.

10. Building Furniture

Lag bolts are the go-to fasteners for assembling heavy, durable furniture pieces. From farmhouse tables that withstand family dinners to industrial shelves that hold stacks of books, lag bolts provide the stability required for furniture to last a lifetime.

Pro Tip for Perfectionists: To hide lag bolt heads in furniture projects, countersink them and cover with wooden plugs or metal caps, depending on the look you’re going for.

Create More—Build Better—With Lag Bolts

There’s a reason lag bolts have been a staple in toolboxes for decades. They’re simple yet incredibly effective, staking their claim across an array of projects where performance and reliability matter most. From decorative installations to essential structural reinforcements, lag bolts are the solution every craftsman, woodworker, or builder should reach for.

Next time you start a project, why not incorporate one of these tried-and-tested applications? The result will be something both functional and long-lasting—and if you’re channeling that little spark of nostalgia for old-school craftsmanship, all the better.