What are the main types of timber connections?

Timber connections fall into four primary categories: dowel-type fasteners (nails, screws, bolts, dowels), connector-type joints (split rings, shear plates, toothed plates), glued connections (glued-in rods, bonded-in plates), and bearing connections (notched joints, birdsmouth cuts). Modern structural timber design predominantly uses dowel-type fasteners with steel plates for primary connections, with self-tapping screws increasingly replacing traditional bolted connections for secondary members.

Timber connections fall into four primary categories: dowel-type fasteners (nails, screws, bolts, dowels), connector-type joints (split rings, shear plates, toothed plates), glued connections (glued-in rods, bonded-in plates), and bearing connections (notched joints, birdsmouth cuts). Modern structural timber design predominantly uses dowel-type fasteners with steel plates for primary connections, with self-tapping screws increasingly replacing traditional bolted connections for secondary members.

Why this matters

This question relates to Timber Connection Design: Steel Plates, Dowels & Modern Fasteners, which covers the broader topic in detail. Understanding this specific aspect helps architects, builders, and timber dealers make informed specification decisions.

For full context and additional technical detail, see our comprehensive guide:

→ Timber Connection Design: Steel Plates, Dowels & Modern Fasteners

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About this answer

This answer is part of the PuurModulair Knowledge Base — comprehensive timber specification guidance for architects, builders, and dealers across the UK, EU, and Scandinavia. All technical content is reviewed by qualified timber technologists before publication.