As contractors, we know how important it is to stay ahead of the curve in the fastening industry. If we don’t, we risk losing clients to competitors offering specific solutions to all kinds of jobs.
These days, commercial clients aren’t just looking for cost-effective options. They want solutions that save them time and manpower in the long run.
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TL;DR What's new in fastening technology in 2025?
- Biodegradable fasteners, fasteners made from recyclable materials, and coated fasteners with carbon-neutral coatings.
- Smart fasteners that reduce the need for maintenance checks.
- Customized fasteners for unique wood structure projects.
- Simpson Strong-Tie’s MPSC™, Enhanced Mass Timber Screws, and Sage System™
Eco-Friendly Wood Fasteners
Almost every industry is prioritizing sustainability, so your timber construction business should, too.
In the United States, more and more states are pushing contractors to be more eco-friendly. Building codes like the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), New York City’s Local Law 97, and Washington State’s Clean Buildings Act are tightening regulations when it comes to using durable, recyclable materials.
So, if someone hired you to build a commercial deck in California’s coastal areas, your only choice is stainless steel deck screws.
Here are other eco-friendly options other than using stainless steel in 2025:
- Biodegradable Fasteners: Nifco’s brush clips are made from a blend of plant fibers and cellulose acetate, which is also from renewable plant-based materials.
- Recycled and Recyclable Fasteners: In April 2025, TR Fastenings introduced fasteners made from 100% recycled nylon.
- Carbon-Neutral Coatings: In March 2025, Dörken introduced its PFAS-free coating solutions. You'll find many coated wood screws that use zinc- or chromate-based coatings. Yes, coated screws do resist rust. However, the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) used in these coatings release toxic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment.
Sure, these products are starting to hit the market, but they might not be easily accessible to local contractors within the next few years. Today, stainless steel is still your best choice to adhere to green building codes.
Stainless steel wood screws are known for their superior corrosion resistance, longevity, and recyclability. For example, Eagle Claw stainless steel screws are some of the best deck screws for 2025. Many fence and deck builders have been using Eagle Claw SS wood screws for years. These SS screws are great for cedar wood, especially in areas with high humidity.
Smarter Fasteners
There are building contractors today who are struggling to find skilled workers. It's a problem that 94% of contractors are dealing with right now.
Smart fasteners can be the solution for small teams. These high-tech fasteners are already used in bridges and wind turbines. Now, they are making their way into timber and engineered wood construction. Companies like Fraunhofer’s Smart Screw Connection and Sensorise’s SmartScrew are designed with sensors that can:
- Detect loosening, overload, or movement in real-time,
- Monitor moisture levels around joints to protect timber from damage.
- Send wireless alerts so issues can be addressed immediately, reducing the need for routine checks.
You can't find these smart fasteners at your local big box stores yet. However, as a contractor, these fasteners are definitely something to look forward to.
Customized Fasteners for Unique Timber Projects
In 2025, the demand for tailored fasteners continues to grow. Contractors need fasteners that meet the specific requirements of each unique job.
You might get to work on a commercial project where the client wants to build a wooden structure with unique architectural designs. In this case, your crew would have to work on non-standard shapes or intricate joinery. Today's fasteners may not be able to secure the connections, and this compromises safety. For a safer job, co-engineering and 3D manufacturing might be your best solution.
By working directly with wood screw makers, you can ask for fasteners that are designed perfectly for every unique joinery you might encounter.
What’s New from Simpson Strong-Tie in 2025?
We've been partnering with Simpson Strong-Tie for one reason. It's their dedication to testing, researching, and collaborating with institutions to innovate their offerings. We always keep ourselves up-to-date with the new products they develop that help us build safer structures faster.
In 2025, several new products are ready to help contractors build with greater precision while reducing labor costs.
MPSC™ High-Capacity Connections for Mass Timber
You might be working on a project to build a multi-story commercial timber building. You might be contracted to build a school, office building, or community center. When those jobs land on your lap, safety and durability must be at their peak.
The MPSC™ connection system is a cutting-edge solution for these types of structures. With its high capacity and exceptional strength, it helps crews keep the project on track while maintaining structural integrity. This product is ideal for high-demand mass timber buildings in urban areas.
Where and How to Use It:
- Structural connections: It connects columns to floor panels in post-and-plate mass timber construction.
- Supports heavy loads: It bears the vertical load from columns and transfers it to the floor panels.
- Installation made simple: The connection comes in two pieces that fit together on-site and are fastened with just one bolt. This helps your team do the job faster and reduces the amount of crane work needed.
- Earthquake-ready: It's designed to let the columns move slightly during seismic events. The MPSC™ helps the building absorb movement safely without the columns cracking. So, if you're in Alaska, California, or other US states with a lot of tremors, the MPSC™ is the safer choice.
- Adjustability: It supports a range of panel thicknesses and vertical adjustments up to 1/4 inch using shim plates.
- Load capacity: Available in five load ratings, ranging from 100 to 300 kips. This makes it perfect for heavy timber applications.
Enhanced Mass Timber Screws
Simpson Strong-Tie’s enhanced mass timber screws are designed for connecting interior timber components. These fixings are already on the market, but with a new point design and a new coating option. They also made them available in more sizes to cater to all wood builds.
Where and How to Use It:
- Structural connections: Connect floorboards, joists, and other structural components securely.
- Two different head types: You can either choose the SDCF Timber CF or the SDCFC Timber CFC. The SDCF has a flat head with nibs for a flush finish. If you want a countersunk finish, choose the SDCFC with the compact cylinder.
- Easy driving: These screws have a deep six-lobe head, so the head engages the bit securely.
- Faster install: Designed with SawTooth® point technology. This allows for fast starting and easy driving into timber.
- New sizes for all types of jobs: The new sizes allow you to work with different floor panel thicknesses and timber layouts. This is useful for projects like large timber-frame retail spaces or cross-laminated timber panels. So, if you're landing jobs to build schools and office buildings, you should probably consider these fixings.
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Protective finish: You can now get these screws with a black e-coat finish. This coating protects the screw from leaks or pollutants that can cause rust.
Sage System™ Pergola Connectors
Some clients might hire you to build a contemporary pergola for a restaurant or office complex. These types of businesses need to create inviting outdoor spaces to get and keep more sales. Beautiful outdoor areas draw more foot traffic, encourage customers to stay longer, and turn first-time visitors into loyal customers.
The Sage System™ connectors are designed specifically for connecting the posts, beams, and corners of pergolas. These connectors allow large pergolas to handle high winds and heavy loads.
Where and How to Use It:
- Corner connections: These connectors join the posts to the beams at each corner of the pergola.
- Mid-span support: The middle connectors give extra support between posts. This is especially helpful for larger pergolas with multiple sections.
- Post bases: These attach the posts to concrete with a small standoff tab inside the base. This tab keeps the wood slightly raised off the surface, preventing moisture from seeping into the wood and causing decay over time.
- Ideal for all types of lumber sizes: Works with 4x or 6x lumber and can accommodate slight variations in timber size. This makes it easier for your crew to fit beams and posts together without custom cutting.
- All fasteners included: Buy a set, and get the color-matched Outdoor Accents connector screws and DIY-friendly Titen Turbo™ screw anchors.
- Corrosion resistance: They are made from ZMAX® galvanized steel with a black powder coat. The ZMAX® galvanized steel is a Simpson Strong-Tie innovation for heavy-duty corrosion protection.
These connectors simplify installation for your crews. Its features take the guesswork out of building a strong, beautiful pergola faster. Every business owner wants to reduce downtime to cater to new customers. By using the Sage System™, you're giving your client the peace of mind that you can get the job done right, fast.
Modern Times, Modern Builds, Modern Wood Screws
Commercial clients aren’t just any clients. They’re big-ticket, high-stakes projects that demand precision, adherence to every building code, and a contractor who can build them structures with the right fixings.
Staying up to date with fastening technology in 2025 is a way to thrive in the building contracting business. Using the right fixings ensures you meet business owners' standards without compromise while staying ahead of competitors who aren’t keeping up.
At ATC Construction Fasteners, we’ve been helping contractors succeed since 2008. We provide the best stainless steel wood screws for every timber build, and by the best, we mean Eagle Claw Fasteners and Simpson Strong-Tie.
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FAQs
What to expect for the fasteners industry in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, you can expect that the fasteners industry will see smarter and greener solutions.
Contractors can expect the industry to offer biodegradable clips and recycled or carbon-neutral coated screws that help meet green building codes. Smart fasteners with sensors will monitor the condition of your build and reduce human errors, while 3D printing and co-engineering will allow custom fasteners for timber projects with unique designs.
What is the most permanent of all fasteners?
The most permanent fasteners are usually welded joints or rivets, as they create connections that are extremely difficult to remove or undo.
While welded joints and rivets are mechanically permanent, stainless steel fasteners are considered highly permanent because they can withstand rain, humidity, and other weather conditions for decades.
In this sense, stainless steel is “permanent” because it maintains its strength and integrity despite long-term exposure to the elements.
