Concrete Anchor Selection Guide

Concrete anchors come in several types, and choosing the right one depends on what you are fastening, what you are fastening it to, and whether the connection needs to be permanent. This guide walks through the three most common mechanical concrete anchor types — wedge anchors, sleeve anchors, and screw anchors — and explains when to use each one.

Anchor Type Comparison Chart

The table below gives you a side-by-side comparison of the three main concrete anchor types. Use it as a quick reference to narrow down your choice, then read the detailed sections below for more information on each type.

Wedge Anchors

Wedge anchors are the strongest and most common mechanical concrete anchor for structural applications. They consist of a threaded bolt body with an expansion clip at the bottom. When the nut is tightened, the bolt is pulled upward and the clip wedges outward against the walls of the hole, locking the anchor in place.

Because the expansion happens at the bottom of the hole, wedge anchors require solid concrete — they will not work in hollow block or brick. They also cannot be removed once set. If you need to reposition the connection, you will need to cut the bolt flush and install a new anchor.

When to Use a Wedge Anchor

• Anchoring sill plates and mudsills to concrete foundations
• Mounting steel columns, base plates, and structural brackets
• Securing heavy equipment, generators, and HVAC units
• Attaching ledger boards for decks (when permanent connection is acceptable)
• Pipe supports, cable trays, and overhead hangers

Key Specifications

For a complete installation walkthrough with step-by-step photos, see our Wedge Anchor Selection & Installation Guide. Shop wedge anchors →

Sleeve Anchors

Sleeve anchors feature a threaded bolt surrounded by a metal expansion sleeve. As the nut is tightened, the cone at the base of the bolt pulls up and forces the sleeve outward against the hole wall. Because the sleeve expands along its full length rather than just at the bottom, sleeve anchors work in both solid concrete and hollow materials like concrete block, brick, and stone.

Sleeve anchors are partially removable — you can take the nut and washer off and slide the fixture away, but the sleeve body stays embedded in the concrete. They offer moderate holding power and are a practical choice for medium-duty applications where the base material may not be solid.

When to Use a Sleeve Anchor

• Mounting handrails and guardrails to concrete or block
• Securing electrical panels, junction boxes, and conduit
• Attaching signs, brackets, and shelving to masonry walls
• Light fixture and ceiling fan supports in concrete ceilings
• HVAC ductwork hangers and pipe clamps

Key Specifications

Shop sleeve anchors →

Concrete Screw Anchors

Concrete screw anchors (also called Tapcon-style or self-tapping anchors) cut their own threads directly into the concrete. You drill a pilot hole smaller than the anchor diameter, then drive the anchor in with a wrench or impact driver. There is no expansion force — the anchor holds by thread engagement alone.

This makes screw anchors fully removable — unscrew them and the hole is empty (though the threads in the concrete are damaged, so re-use of the same hole with the same size anchor is not recommended). Screw anchors also allow the closest edge distances and spacing of any mechanical anchor, because they do not generate the outward expansion pressure that can crack thin concrete sections.

When to Use a Screw Anchor

• Ledger boards and mudsills where removability may be needed
• Applications close to a concrete edge or corner
• Close anchor-to-anchor spacing
• Temporary connections or fixtures that may need to be relocated
• Light to medium structural loads in concrete, block, or brick

Key Specifications

Shop concrete screw anchors →

How to Choose the Right Concrete Anchor

Start with these four questions to narrow down which anchor type fits your project:

1. What is the base material?

If you are anchoring into solid poured concrete, all three types will work and you should choose based on strength requirements and removability. If you are anchoring into concrete block, brick, or stone, use a sleeve anchor or screw anchor — wedge anchors are not suitable for hollow or semi-hollow materials.

2. How much load does the anchor need to hold?

For the highest pull-out and shear strength, use a wedge anchor. For moderate loads, either sleeve or screw anchors work well. Always check the manufacturer’s published load tables for the specific anchor model and diameter to verify it meets your design load. For code-required structural connections, look for anchors with ICC-ES evaluation reports.

3. Does the connection need to be removable?

Wedge anchors are permanent. Sleeve anchors are partially removable (you can remove the nut and washer but the body stays in the concrete). Screw anchors are fully removable. If you are mounting equipment that may need to be serviced or relocated, screw anchors give you the most flexibility.

4. How close to an edge or other anchors?

Expansion anchors (wedge and sleeve) create outward pressure in the concrete that can cause cracking if placed too close to an edge or too close together. Screw anchors do not generate expansion force, so they allow the closest edge distances and anchor spacing. If your layout requires tight spacing, screw anchors are usually the safest choice.

Materials & Finishes

Concrete anchors are available in several materials depending on the environment:

When in doubt, go with 304 stainless steel for outdoor applications or 316 stainless steel for anything near saltwater or chemicals. The upfront cost is higher but it avoids premature anchor failure from corrosion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reuse a concrete anchor hole?

It depends on the type. A wedge anchor hole cannot be reused because the expansion clip remains embedded in the concrete. A sleeve anchor hole has the sleeve body permanently in place. A screw anchor hole can technically accept a new anchor, but the threads in the concrete are damaged — use the next size larger if you need to re-anchor in the same location.

What size anchor do I need?

Anchor diameter is determined by the required load (pull-out and shear) and the hole size in your fixture. A common rule of thumb: use 3/8" or 1/2" for most general-purpose structural applications, 1/4" for light duty, and 5/8" or 3/4" for heavy structural or seismic connections. Always verify with the manufacturer’s load data.

Do concrete anchors work in old or cracked concrete?

Many ICC-ES evaluated anchors are tested and approved for use in cracked concrete. The Simpson Strong-Bolt 2 wedge anchor (ESR-3037) and Titen HD screw anchor (ESR-2713) are both approved for cracked concrete applications. Check the evaluation report for the specific anchor you are using.

What is an ICC-ES evaluation report?

ICC-ES (International Code Council Evaluation Service) is an independent organization that tests and certifies construction products. An ICC-ES evaluation report (ESR) confirms that the product meets building code requirements. When a building inspector asks for anchor documentation, the ESR number is what they are looking for.

Related Resources

• Wedge Anchor Selection & Installation Guide — step-by-step installation with torque tables and material comparisons
• Concrete Anchor Drill Bit & Hole Size Chart — drill bit sizes, hole depths, and torque values for every anchor diameter
• Shop Wedge Anchors
• Shop Sleeve Anchors
• Shop All Concrete Anchors