How to Identify and Specify the Right Titen HD Screw Anchor

Despite the informal name, it is not a conventional bolt. It is a post-installed screw anchor that cuts threads into a predrilled hole.

That distinction matters when buying or specifying one. Diameter and length alone do not establish suitability. You must identify the exact product family and model, confirm the substrate and exposure, account for fixture thickness and required embedment, follow the applicable drilling and installation instructions, and verify capacity and approval conditions in current technical documentation.

This guide supports product identification and preliminary selection. It does not prescribe an anchor size or allowable load for a specific project because the supplied evidence does not include a complete, current set of model-specific load tables, installation sheets and evaluation reports.

What “Titen bolt” means—and what it does not mean

Simpson presents Titen HD as a product family with multiple models and configurations for concrete and particular masonry applications. The official family name—not “Titen bolt”—is the better term to use when requesting technical information or ordering material. See the manufacturer’s Titen HD product page.

A Titen HD is installed after the concrete or masonry is in place. The installer drills a pilot hole and drives the anchor into it. Cutting threads form a profile in the base material, and the following threads mechanically engage that profile.

That makes it different from two other products people may casually call concrete bolts:

• A cast-in-place anchor bolt is positioned before or during concrete placement and becomes embedded as the concrete cures.
• A wedge anchor is post-installed but develops anchorage through an expansion mechanism bearing against the drilled-hole wall.
• A Titen HD screw anchor is also post-installed, but it threads directly into the prepared base material without a separate expansion sleeve or internal nut.

Terminology at a glance

Term	Basic description	Important distinction
Concrete screw anchor	Threaded anchor driven into a predrilled hole	Cuts and engages the base material directly
Conventional anchor bolt	Bolt embedded in concrete, often during placement	Commonly planned before concrete is poured
Wedge anchor	Post-installed anchor with an expanding wedge or sleeve mechanism	Expansion develops against the drilled-hole wall

These descriptions distinguish the mechanisms. They do not establish that one category is universally stronger or more suitable than another.

“Titen” is broader than Titen HD. Retail catalogs may group Titen, Titen Turbo and Titen HD products under the same brand or filter set. A listing containing the word “Titen” is therefore insufficient: confirm that the family name is Titen HD and record the complete model number.

Removability is another source of confusion. A Titen HD can be backed out, but removability does not restrict it to temporary bracing or formwork. Permanent use depends on the approved model, substrate, embedment, load capacity, environment and connection design. Conversely, easy removal does not make an otherwise unsuitable model acceptable for temporary structural work.

How a Titen HD anchor engages concrete or masonry

A Titen HD holds through cutting and mechanical interlock rather than by expanding a separate sleeve.

The general sequence is:

1. Drill a pilot hole of the specified diameter and depth.
2. Position the fixture and introduce the anchor into the hole.
3. Drive the anchor so its leading cutting threads form a profile in the base material.
4. Continue driving so the following threads engage that profile.
5. Seat the head as required by the instructions for the exact model and fixture.

The result is direct engagement between the anchor threads and the concrete or approved masonry. There is no separate expansion cone, sleeve or nut inside the hole.

The principal parts readers may encounter are:

• Head: Transfers load to the fixture or provides an attachment interface.
• Unthreaded shank: Present where the particular anchor geometry requires it.
• Threaded shank: Contains the threads that engage the base material.
• Cutting threads: Begin forming the profile as the anchor advances.
• Serrated tip: The leading portion used to initiate cutting.

Documented configurations across the family include hex-washer, countersunk, flat-washer, washer-head and internally threaded versions. Availability depends on the exact diameter, length, material and model; not every combination is offered. Simpson’s technical overview also describes the head, shank and cutting-thread functions. Review the manufacturer-authored anchor anatomy guide.

Head selection affects fit and the connection interface:

• A hex-washer or washer-style head bears against the fixture face and provides an accessible external drive.
• A countersunk or flush-style head may suit a documented detail where a projecting head would interfere with framing, trim or equipment.
• An internally threaded configuration provides a different attachment interface and is not interchangeable with an ordinary headed anchor.
• A specialized washer head may be intended for a particular connector or fixture.

Do not alter a standard head or fixture to imitate another configuration unless the governing detail expressly permits it. If a head style does not fit, stop and select a model whose documented geometry matches the connection.

Simpson attributes easier cutting and reduced installation torque to design features such as serrated cutting teeth and torque-reduction geometry. Those are manufacturer performance claims, not substitutes for model-specific installation limits, load data or evaluation-report conditions.

Also keep anchor-steel tensile strength separate from installed anchor capacity. Allowable anchor tension or shear can also depend on concrete or masonry behavior, embedment, edge distance, spacing, cracking, installation quality and other design conditions.

Sizes, lengths, head styles and specialized models

The Titen HD family covers a range of configurations, but retail pages can make that range appear simpler—or broader—than it is. Catalog filters may combine Titen HD with Titen Turbo and other concrete screws, while an individual product page may show only a small subset of the family.

Manufacturer-authored guidance states that Titen HD body diameters extend from 1/4 inch through 3/4 inch, with overall lengths extending to 15 inches. Not every diameter is available in every length, head, finish or material. The manufacturer’s technical overview documents these family-level ranges.

The model THD50600HMGF1 is listed as a 1/2-by-6-inch mechanically galvanized Titen HD. That retailer listing can help confirm the marketed model designation, dimensions and finish, but it does not provide the load table and installation conditions needed for structural selection. See the THD50600HMGF1 retailer listing.

Another marketplace listing identifies THDB62500H as a 5/8-by-5-inch, zinc-finished carbon-steel anchor with a hex-washer head. Treat that information as a product-identification lead, not as capacity or approval data.

The specialized THDT75600H and THD75700H models show why nominal size is insufficient. Simpson identifies them as 3/4-by-6-inch and 3/4-by-7-inch tilt-up brace anchors, respectively, with a one-inch unthreaded section beneath the head. A standard anchor with the same nominal diameter and overall length does not necessarily have the same geometry or approved use. These tilt-up dimensions and details appear on the official product page.

Concrete Fasteners’ retailer guidance states that Titen HD length is measured from beneath the head. That convention helps when comparing listings, but it does not establish required embedment or hole depth. See the retailer’s dimensional and installation guidance.

Avoid decoding model numbers from memory. Verify these four items against the current product record and drawing:

1. Nominal diameter and overall length
2. Head or connection style
3. Base material, anchor material and finish
4. Complete model number

Prices, package quantities, stock levels, shipping claims and customer ratings are deliberately excluded. They change frequently and do not establish engineering suitability.

Choosing zinc, mechanically galvanized, 304 stainless or 316 stainless

Material selection begins with the actual exposure—not merely whether someone calls the connection “indoor” or “outdoor.”

Simpson positions zinc-plated versions primarily for dry, non-corrosive interiors and permitted temporary outdoor work. It describes mechanically galvanized versions for certain dry or damp environments, Type 304 stainless for less aggressive humid, moist, wet or freshwater conditions, and Type 316 stainless for coastal, saltwater or more corrosive settings. See Simpson’s finish and exposure overview.

There is a meaningful conflict in the supplied guidance for mechanically galvanized products. Simpson describes selected mechanically galvanized Titen HD versions for dry or damp exterior environments. Concrete Fasteners’ guide warns against permanent outdoor use for the version it discusses, even though it mentions a mechanically galvanized option. Do not turn that conflict into a universal rule: the current manufacturer documentation for the exact model and exposure must control.

Type 304 and Type 316 are not universal synonyms for “outdoor” and “marine.” Type 304 may be a candidate in a less aggressive humid or freshwater environment, while Type 316 is positioned for coastal, saltwater, chemical and more corrosive exposure. Simpson also states that stainless Titen HD versions use hardened carbon-steel cutting threads as part of their installation design. Review the manufacturer’s stainless-steel Titen HD description.

Assess at least the following before choosing a material:

• Chlorides from sea spray, pools, deicing salts or cleaning products
• Industrial chemicals, fertilizers or wastewater
• Preservative-treated or fire-retardant-treated wood
• Persistent condensation and trapped moisture
• Direct rain versus sheltered exterior exposure
• Temperature and wet-dry cycling
• Contact between dissimilar metals
• Fixture, connector, washer and adjoining-component materials

Treat compatibility as a connection-level question. A corrosion-resistant anchor does not by itself establish the durability of a connection containing a different fixture or connector. Where compatibility is uncertain, use the manufacturer’s current corrosion guidance or obtain qualified review rather than inferring suitability from the anchor grade alone.

For a damp ledger, the question is not simply “galvanized or stainless?” It is whether the exact anchor and connector suit the treated wood, moisture exposure, flashing detail and documented ledger connection. For a coastal railing, Type 316 is the manufacturer-positioned candidate, but the railing loads, edge conditions, substrate, salt exposure and adjoining metals still require verification.

How to select diameter and length without guessing at capacity

A nominal diameter is not a load rating. Two anchors with the same diameter can have different capacities because of material, embedment, substrate, spacing, edge distance, installation orientation or approval conditions.

Complete a project worksheet before searching retail listings.

Conceptually, the selected anchor must pass through the fixture and still provide the required embedment:

Required anchor length ≈ fixture thickness + required embedment, with any head- or fixture-specific adjustment required by the governing data.

Concrete Fasteners explains this relationship and states that length is measured beneath the head, but its figures and rules should not be generalized beyond the products and conditions it addresses.

Required embedment is not the same as total hole depth. The drilled hole may need to continue beyond the anchor tip to accommodate debris or a specified over-drill allowance. Use the exact installation instructions; do not apply a universal extra-depth rule.

Allowable tension and shear can be affected by:

• Exact model, material and diameter
• Effective embedment
• Concrete strength and concrete weight
• Cracked or uncracked condition
• Masonry unit and grouting condition
• Anchor spacing and group arrangement
• Edge and corner distances
• Load direction, duration and combination
• Wind or seismic design conditions
• Installation orientation and inspection requirements
• Fixture stiffness and hole geometry
• Environmental deterioration

One retailer publishes three-inch spacing and a 1-3/4-inch edge distance for the products described in its guide. Those figures are not family-wide design rules and must not be applied to another model, substrate or evaluation-report condition without verification.

Do not size an anchor from a published steel tensile-strength value.

For a structural ledger, railing, holdown, sill plate or similar safety-critical connection, use the current load table and evaluation report covering the exact model, material, substrate, embedment and loading condition. The available family-level evidence is insufficient to calculate a project-specific anchor size or allowable load.

A non-calculative document check should proceed as follows:

1. Match the complete model number on the package to the product table.
2. Confirm that the document covers the anchor material and head configuration.
3. Find the exact substrate and its required condition, such as cracked concrete or grout-filled CMU.
4. Confirm the permitted diameter and embedment.
5. Read the spacing, edge-distance and member-thickness conditions attached to the applicable row.
6. Identify whether published values are allowable loads, design strengths or test results; do not mix the bases.
7. Check load direction and any combined-load provisions.
8. Check wind, seismic, overhead, sustained-load and inspection limitations.
9. Confirm the code edition and jurisdictional acceptance.
10. Use the installation instructions referenced by that documentation.

The official product page includes product-information and code-compliance areas, but this article does not identify a single report number as governing the whole family. Report coverage must be matched to the exact anchor and condition.

General installation sequence and model-specific stop points

The following is a preliminary sequence, not a replacement for the instructions published or packaged for the exact anchor.

1. Identify the exact model and substrate. Confirm the family, model number, material, head and intended concrete or masonry condition.

2. Inspect the current manufacturer instructions. Find the specified bit, hole depth, embedment, fixture-hole requirement, installation tool and seating or torque criterion.

3. Mark the location. Check the fixture layout, drilling access and any known reinforcement or concealed-service constraints.

4. Confirm spacing and edge distance. Do this before drilling. If the proposed location conflicts with the governing dimensions, stop and obtain an approved revision.

5. Select the specified bit. Simpson’s manufacturer-authored guidance generally specifies an ANSI-compliant carbide-tipped bit whose pilot-hole diameter equals the nominal anchor diameter. The exact model and substrate instructions remain controlling.

6. Drill to the required depth. Keep the drill aligned and avoid intentionally enlarging the hole.

7. Manage dust and debris. Use the cleaning or permitted over-drilling procedure stated in the applicable instructions.

8. Position the fixture. Confirm that the fixture hole, bearing surface and head style match the documented configuration.

9. Insert the anchor. Start it square to the hole. Stop if the anchor or its threads appear damaged.

10. Drive and seat the anchor. Use the permitted socket, driver or installation tool and follow the exact seating or torque criterion.

11. Inspect and record the installation. Check location, head bearing, fixture contact and visible condition, then record the model and installation information required for the work.

Manufacturer-affiliated guidance states that pilot-hole diameter generally equals nominal anchor diameter and calls for an ANSI B212.15 carbide-tipped bit. Thus, its general rule points to a nominal 1/2-inch bit for a nominal 1/2-inch anchor, but the exact model and substrate instructions must be checked before drilling.

Typical equipment includes a hammer drill, the specified carbide-tipped bit, a suitable socket or driver, the permitted driving tool, eye protection, and any dust-control or hole-cleaning equipment required by the instructions. A distributor’s general guide describes drilling, cleaning, inserting and driving while directing users to confirm anchor-specific bit, depth and torque requirements. See Fastco’s general installation sequence.

An oversized, damaged or incorrectly prepared hole is a stop point. Do not assume that additional tightening will correct it. Treat the installation as unverified and follow the manufacturer’s approved repair, relocation or disposition procedure.

Debris guidance also requires model-specific treatment. Clearing dust is the conservative general process. Simpson’s manufacturer-affiliated guidance describes limited circumstances in which deeper over-drilling may be an alternative to conventional cleaning, depending on hole orientation and available concrete thickness. That does not make cleaning universally optional.

The evidence conflicts on torque. Simpson’s technical article says no specific setting torque is required for the installations it describes, while Fastco’s supplier guide says to drive to a recommended torque. Resolve the conflict using the current manufacturer instructions and governing report for the exact model, material and substrate—not by choosing whichever general statement is more convenient.

Do not assume that an impact wrench is permitted in every substrate. Concrete Fasteners specifically warns against impact-wrench installation in hollow CMU. Concrete, solid masonry, grout-filled CMU and hollow CMU are different installation conditions.

Troubleshooting: stop rather than improvise

Problem	Why it requires attention	Conservative response
Wrong bit size	The prepared hole does not match the specified installation	Stop and consult the approved repair or relocation procedure
Hole too shallow	Required embedment or seating may not be possible	Stop and verify the specified hole depth
Dust remains	Hole preparation may not comply with the instructions	Use the documented cleaning or permitted alternative procedure
Anchor spins	Engagement cannot be assumed	Stop; do not keep driving
Anchor binds early	Diameter, depth, alignment or debris may be incorrect	Stop before further installation
Threads are damaged	The anchor no longer matches its original condition	Set it aside and use a new approved anchor
Head is over-tightened	The fixture, anchor or substrate may require evaluation	Stop and obtain an approved disposition
Anchor has been removed	Reinstallation is not established by the supplied manufacturer evidence	Use a new anchor unless current instructions expressly provide otherwise

Titen HD versus wedge anchors and conventional anchor bolts

The appropriate anchor is the one whose approved configuration satisfies the connection—not the one with the strongest marketing description.

That does not establish a universal edge-distance or spacing advantage. Use the applicable technical values and reduction factors.

Removability can be useful where temporary bracing will be taken down or a fixture may be relocated. It is not evidence that the extracted anchor remains suitable for reinstallation. Concrete Fasteners advises one-time use because removal may wear the threads and reduce holding values; until current manufacturer instructions establish otherwise for a particular model, replacing a removed anchor is the conservative practice.

Wedge anchors and screw anchors both require predrilled holes, but their mechanisms and fixture arrangements differ. A wedge anchor expands as its nut is tightened; a Titen HD cuts and engages the substrate directly. Retailer comparisons can explain these mechanisms, but broad preferences for temporary or permanent work cannot replace project-specific capacity data. Compare the mechanisms in this retailer overview.

Simpson states that Titen HD can be used in place of code anchor bolts. Treat that as a conditional possibility, not blanket authorization. The official product page does not establish that every model is a one-for-one substitute in every jurisdiction.

A proposed substitution requires:

• An exact configuration documented for the substrate
• The required embedment, spacing and edge distance
• Capacity adequate for the design loads
• A current evaluation report covering the condition
• Compliance with project drawings and specifications
• Acceptance under the applicable local code
• Design-professional or building-official approval where required

Structural ledgers, holdowns, railings, seismic anchorage and other life-safety connections warrant review by an appropriately qualified design professional.

Applications, approvals and the final verification checklist

Titen HD literature and retailer catalogs show a broad range of applications. These examples illustrate where a model within the family may be considered; they do not recommend a particular anchor or establish approval for every condition.

Building connections

• Sill plates and mudsills
• Ledgers
• Post bases
• Holdowns
• Columns and cold-formed steel connections

Equipment and building-service supports

• Equipment bases
• Machinery and storage racks
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing components
• Conduit and service supports
• Window and door frames

Railings, seating and occupied-area fixtures

• Railings
• Balconies
• Stadium or fixed seating
• Fencing and similar fixtures

Temporary work

• Formwork
• Bracing
• Relocatable fixtures

Specialized construction

• Tilt-up wall-brace connections using designated tilt-up models

Manufacturer-affiliated material says Titen HD products have ICC-ES and IAPMO-UES evaluation reports that building officials can reference. That family-level statement does not mean every model is approved for every cracked-concrete, uncracked-concrete, masonry, static, seismic or overhead condition. The applicable report must be identified from current product documentation rather than inferred from the family name.

The report and load data used for selection must cover the relevant combination of:

• Model, material and head configuration
• Diameter and embedment
• Concrete or masonry substrate
• Cracked or uncracked condition
• Concrete strength or masonry construction
• Installation orientation
• Static, wind or seismic loading
• Edge distance and spacing
• Environmental exposure
• Applicable code edition

Pre-purchase checklist

Before ordering, record and verify:

• [ ] Exact Titen family
• [ ] Complete model number
• [ ] Nominal diameter
• [ ] Overall length
• [ ] Head or attachment style
• [ ] Carbon-steel finish or stainless grade
• [ ] Exact substrate and condition
• [ ] Fixture material and thickness
• [ ] Required embedment
• [ ] Required total hole depth
• [ ] Specified drill-bit type and diameter
• [ ] Tension, shear and combined design loads
• [ ] Anchor spacing and group arrangement
• [ ] Edge and corner distances
• [ ] Environmental exposure
• [ ] Compatibility with treated wood and adjoining metals
• [ ] Permitted installation tool
• [ ] Seating or torque criterion
• [ ] Current manufacturer instructions
• [ ] Applicable evaluation report
• [ ] Project specifications and local requirements

Installation-record checklist

For structural or safety-critical work, retain:

• [ ] Product packaging or label
• [ ] Complete model number and quantity installed
• [ ] Material or finish
• [ ] Manufacturer instructions used
• [ ] Governing evaluation report and edition
• [ ] Substrate information
• [ ] Drill-bit size and hole-preparation method
• [ ] Installed locations and specified embedment
• [ ] Inspection or special-inspection records where required
• [ ] Approved substitutions or design correspondence

Specifications, reports and local codes can change. Mortar Desk publishes general building-material reference information and does not provide project-specific engineering advice. Structural anchorage, seismic design, overhead loads, railings and other safety-critical work should be handled under appropriate professional or licensed-trade oversight and local requirements. Read Mortar Desk’s scope and disclaimer.

The dependable preliminary-selection sequence is simple: identify the exact Titen family and model; confirm the substrate and exposure; determine fixture thickness and required embedment from current technical data; follow model-specific drilling and installation instructions; and verify capacity and approval conditions in the applicable load table and evaluation report.

The name “Titen bolt” is only a starting point. Structural suitability cannot be determined from the family name, nominal diameter or retailer description alone.

Can a Titen HD replace a cast-in-place or code anchor bolt?

Potentially, but not as an automatic one-for-one substitution. Simpson states that Titen HD can be used in place of code anchor bolts, but its family-level statement does not establish universal approval.

The replacement must be covered by current technical documentation and an applicable evaluation report for the exact model, material, diameter, embedment, substrate and loading condition. It must also comply with the project design and local requirements and may need approval from the design professional or building official. A matching nominal diameter or retailer description is insufficient.

What drill-bit size should be used for a Titen HD anchor?

Simpson’s general Titen HD guidance specifies an ANSI-compliant carbide-tipped bit with a pilot-hole diameter equal to nominal anchor diameter. Under that general rule, a nominal 1/2-inch anchor uses a nominal 1/2-inch bit.

The instructions for the exact model and substrate control. Confirm bit requirements, hole depth, any over-drill allowance and the required cleaning procedure before drilling. Do not assume that concrete instructions also apply to hollow or grout-filled CMU.

Can Titen HD anchors be used outdoors or near salt water?

Some models can, but exposure suitability depends on the exact material and model. Simpson positions zinc-plated versions mainly for dry, non-corrosive interiors and permitted temporary outdoor work. Selected mechanically galvanized versions may be candidates for dry or damp exposure, although the supplied manufacturer and retailer guidance conflicts about permanent exterior use.

Simpson positions Type 304 stainless for less aggressive humid, wet or freshwater conditions and Type 316 stainless for coastal, saltwater, chemical or more corrosive environments. Neither grade is automatically suitable; assess chlorides, chemicals, retained moisture, treated wood and adjoining metals.

Can a removed Titen HD anchor be reused?

Do not assume that it can. Concrete Fasteners’ third-party guidance advises using each anchor only once because removal may wear the threads and reduce holding values. The supplied evidence does not include a current model-specific manufacturer instruction establishing a universal reuse rule.

The conservative practice is to use a new approved anchor and follow the governing instructions for hole reuse, relocation or repair. Do not assume the original hole remains suitable.

Are all Titen HD anchors approved for cracked concrete, masonry or seismic loads?

No. Family-level literature refers to cracked and uncracked concrete, masonry, static loading and seismic loading, but those descriptions do not establish approval for every model or installation.

Check the current evaluation report and load table for the exact model, material, diameter, embedment, substrate and loading condition. Identify masonry precisely: solid units, hollow CMU and grout-filled CMU can have different requirements.