Key Features

Fast Starts, Less Effort The SawTooth point bites quickly so the screw starts clean and drives with less installation torque. In most wood applications, that means no predrilling and less time spent fighting long structural fasteners. Built for Exterior Wood Double-barrier coating gives this structural wood screw corrosion resistance suited for certain exterior and preservative-treated wood applications. That matters when the job lives outdoors and the fastener cannot be the weak link. Big Head, Strong Clamp The large hex washer head spreads load over more surface area for better bearing and a more secure pull-down in wood-to-wood connections. It is a practical alternative when you want lag-screw style holding with easier installation.

Overview

The Simpson Strong-Tie SDWH19600DB Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-HEX Screw is a 6 inch structural wood screw made for wood-to-wood fastening in exterior and general framing applications. This is a wood screw designed for structural wood-to-wood connections, including ledgers. Model Number: SDWH19600DB. If you need a long fastener that installs faster than traditional lag screws in many common wood jobs, this is the one built for that kind of work.

What makes this screw matter is how it goes in. Simpson uses a SawTooth point that helps the screw start fast, cuts installation effort, and eliminates the need for predrilling in most applications. On a real job, that saves time on repetitive fastening and makes it easier to keep production moving when you are working on deck framing, ledger attachment, pergolas, planters, or heavy exterior wood assemblies.

The thread design is another big part of the story. The bold thread profile is there for holding power, not just for looks on a spec sheet. When you are fastening thick members together, you want the screw to pull material tight and stay put. The large hex washer head adds more bearing area at the surface, which helps reduce pull-through and gives the connection a more secure seated feel in structural wood applications.

The head and drive setup are jobsite friendly. This screw uses a 5/16 inch hex drive, which gives positive engagement and better control than a lot of smaller drive styles when you are pushing a long fastener into dense lumber. The underhead nibs help the head countersink into wood with reduced splintering, so you get a cleaner finished seat instead of a ragged surface around the head.

For exterior work, the coating matters just as much as the geometry. This SDWH Timber-HEX screw uses Simpson’s double-barrier coating, which the manufacturer states provides corrosion resistance equivalent to hot-dip galvanization for certain exterior and preservative-treated wood uses described in the evaluation report. If you are building outdoors, fastener finish is not a throwaway detail. It directly affects service life and long-term connection reliability.

Size-wise, this specific version is 0.195 inch shank diameter by 6 inches long with a 0.650 inch head diameter, 6 threads per inch, and 2-3/4 inch thread length. That combination gives you a long body for deeper structural reach while keeping the aggressive threaded section where it can do the pulling. It is well suited for thicker wood members where a short screw simply is not enough.

The Simpson Strong-Tie SDWH19600DB Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-HEX Screw is a smart buy for deck builders, framers, remodelers, general contractors, and serious DIY users who want a structural exterior wood screw with faster install and strong holding power. If your work is mostly wood-to-wood fastening and you prefer a hex-head drive over a socket or wrench-driven lag setup, this screw makes a lot of sense.

Drive Structural Screws Without the Usual Fight

Long structural screws are only useful if they install cleanly. The SawTooth point and hex drive work together to help this fastener start quickly, track straight, and go in with less wasted effort.

• SawTooth point helps eliminate predrilling in most applications
• 5/16 inch hex drive gives positive bit engagement during installation

Made for Real Exterior Wood Connections

This screw is built for wood structures that live outside. From pergolas to deck framing, the coating and head design are aimed at jobs where strength and weather resistance both matter.

• Double-barrier coating is suitable for certain exterior and preservative-treated wood applications
• Application category is structural wood-to-wood and engineered wood connections, including ledgers

Pull Material Tight With Better Bearing Area

The geometry is what separates a structural wood screw from a generic long screw. The large washer head spreads load at the surface while the aggressive thread grabs hard in the wood.

• Head diameter is 0.650 inch for increased bearing area
• Underhead nibs help countersink the head with reduced splintering

Key Specifications

Compatibility

Drive Interface Uses a 5/16 inch hex drive for installation. Replacement Driver Bit Replacement driver bit listed by Simpson Strong-Tie: BITHEXR516-R1. Material Compatibility Designed for structural wood-to-wood and engineered wood connections, including ledger fastening.

Built For

Deck Building Carpentry Construction General Contracting Remodeling Exterior Wood Framing Ledger Fastening DIY / Hobbyist

Pro Tip

On thicker ledger and beam work, keep firm forward pressure on the driver until the SawTooth point fully bites. Once the threads start pulling, the 5/16 inch hex drive will stay engaged better and you will get a cleaner, faster seat.

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Simpson Strong-Tie SDWH19600DB Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-HEX Screw for Exterior Structural Wood Jobs

This is the kind of structural wood screw that earns its keep when you want lag-style holding power without turning installation into a chore.

• Who it’s for: Contractors, deck builders, framers, and serious DIY users doing exterior wood-to-wood fastening and ledger work.
• Why it stands out: Fast starts, solid hex-drive engagement, a large washer head, and exterior-rated coating all make it more jobsite friendly than a basic long screw.
• Worth knowing: This is a specialized structural fastener, not a general finish screw. It is built for strength and holding power in wood connections, and the 600-count pack makes the most sense when you have real footage to cover.

Common Questions

• What is this screw designed for? It is designed for structural wood-to-wood and engineered wood connections, including ledgers.
• Does it usually require predrilling? Simpson Strong-Tie states the SawTooth point eliminates the need for predrilling in most applications.
• What drive does it use? This screw uses a 5/16 inch hex drive.
• Is it intended for exterior use? Yes. The double-barrier coating is intended for certain exterior and preservative-treated wood applications as described by the manufacturer.