Shop Corners & Angles

Corners and angles are bent steel structural plates designed to join two framing members at 90-degree angles, such as connecting joists to beams, stair stringers to headers, or solid blocking to wall studs. Installing a code-tested structural angle provides known fastener schedules and published load capacities that traditional toe-nailing cannot match. Arlington Coal and Lumber supplies tested Simpson Strong-Tie angles for structural wood-to-wood and wood-to-concrete framing connections. Featured items in this product category include Simpson A angles in 18-gauge steel, such as the A21 (1-3/8-in long) and A23 (2-3/4-in long), heavy-duty 12-gauge A33, A44, A66, and A88 structural angles (with the A88 featuring 8-in x 8-in legs and a 2-in width), A34 and A35 18-gauge framing angles, and 16-gauge L reinforcing angles available in 3-in (L30), 5-in (L50), 7-in (L70 and L70Z), and 9-in (L90 and L90Z) lengths.

Contractors, deck builders, and framing professionals throughout Greater Boston, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the surrounding New England region source structural connectors alongside dimensional framing lumber at our local lumberyards. Obtain detailed material estimates for your framing package at any of our regional locations: Arlington Coal and Lumber Company, Burlington Lumber Company, Wilmington Builders Supply, Sudbury Lumber Company, Chelmsford Lumber Company, and Hudson Lumber Company. Review full carton quantities in our online product catalog, contact us for technical connector specification assistance, or create an account online to submit quotes and manage order histories.

Structural applications differ significantly between the heavy-duty A88 angle and the lighter L reinforcing angle series. The A88 is a heavy 12-gauge structural angle measuring 2-in wide with 8-in x 8-in legs. It is engineered for heavy timber or structural connections requiring thru-bolts, taking three 3/8-in diameter bolts and four 0.148-in x 3-in nails per leg. Conversely, the L series consists of lighter 16-gauge reinforcing angles offered in multiple lengths (3-in for L30, 7-in for L70Z, and 9-in for L90Z). These angles feature a staggered fastener hole layout engineered by Simpson to reduce wood splitting along the grain. L angles utilize 0.148-in x 1-1/2-in nails - four on the L30, eight on the L70/L70Z, and ten on the L90/L90Z - which match standard joist hanger nails. Match the connector length to the depth of your framing member: select 3-in L30 angles for solid blocking and 2x4 framing, and 7-in or 9-in models for deeper floor joists and stair stringers. Select the appropriate corrosion finish based on job site exposure: A88 and L30 angles feature G90 galvanized coatings for dry interior framing, while L70Z and L90Z models feature ZMAX, a G185 triple-zinc coating providing enhanced corrosion protection. Simpson mandates ZMAX or Hot-Dip Galvanized (HDG) finishes as a minimum requirement for exterior projects and pressure treated framing, paired with hot-dip galvanized fasteners.

Buyer's guide: Technical answers to common questions regarding structural angles and framing connectors.

• What is the difference between the A88 heavy angle and the L reinforcing angles? L angles (L30, L70Z, L90Z) are 16-gauge light reinforcing angles specified for nailed 90-degree framing connections like solid blocking, stair stringers, and small headers. The A88 is a heavy-duty 12-gauge structural angle featuring 8-in x 8-in legs and a 2-in width, engineered to accept both 3/8-in bolts and structural nails for heavy timber framing.
  
  
• Which L angle length should I select, and what are its allowable load capacities? L angles are available in 3-in (L30), 7-in (L70/L70Z), and 9-in (L90/L90Z) lengths; select the longest angle that fits flush on the face of the wood member. According to Simpson specification tables, allowable shear load capacities using 0.148-in x 1-1/2-in nails are approximately 245 lb for the L30, 485 lb for the L70, and 610 lb for the L90 in Douglas Fir-Larch or Southern Pine at 100-percent duration of load. Verify exact directional load values in the current Simpson catalog for your specific wood species.
  
  
• Can a single L reinforcing angle replace an engineered joist hanger? No. A dedicated joist hanger cradles the bottom flange of a joist, providing significantly higher vertical load capacity than a side-mounted L angle. Always install approved joist hangers sized for the specific depth and width of the joist unless directed otherwise by a structural engineer or Simpson design tables.
  
  
• Which angles are approved for exterior exposures and pressure-treated lumber? Connectors carrying the ZMAX (G185) finish, such as the L70Z and L90Z, are approved for exterior applications and general pressure-treated lumber installations when installed with hot-dip galvanized or structural stainless steel fasteners. Connectors with standard G90 galvanized finishes, including the L30 and A88, are limited to dry interior framing.
  
  
• What fasteners are required for L reinforcing angles? Simpson specifies 0.148-in x 1-1/2-in (10d x 1-1/2-in) structural connector nails: four nails for L30, eight for L70/L70Z, and ten for L90/L90Z. Simpson Strong-Drive SD9112 connector screws are an approved code-tested alternative. Standard drywall, general deck, or bugle-head screws are not permitted.
  
  
• What hardware is required to install the A88 heavy angle? The Simpson A88 requires three 3/8-in diameter structural machine or carriage bolts and four 0.148-in x 3-in (10d common) nails in each leg. Because load capacities vary based on bolt sizing and wood species, consult structural plans or Simpson technical tables for specific engineering values.
  
  
• Can structural steel angles be field-bent to fit non-standard framing angles? No. Simpson Strong-Tie explicitly prohibits field-bending connectors unless the product is specifically engineered for field manipulation (such as skewable angles), as bending weakens the galvanized steel plate. For non-90-degree joints, select specialized Simpson skewable connectors, such as the LS series.
  
  
• Must structural angles be installed on both sides of a framing connection? Simpson's published load capacities are calculated per individual angle. Installing a second angle on the opposite side of the framing member doubles the allowable load capacity and balances eccentric forces. Always complete the required fastener schedule by filling every prepunched hole.
  
  
• What are the standard carton package quantities? Per manufacturer packaging, the A88 ships 10 pieces per carton, the L30 ships 100 pieces per carton, and the L70Z and L90Z ship 50 pieces per carton.
  
  

Popular corner and angle applications:

• Solid blocking and bridging: Fasten L30 angles to secure solid wood blocking between floor joists or wall studs without toe-nailing.
  
  
• Stair stringer attachments: Secure L70Z or L90Z ZMAX-coated angles to connect stair stringers to headers or rim joists on exterior deck staircases.
  
  
• Exterior deck and porch framing: Install ZMAX-coated angles to reinforce timber connections where traditional hangers cannot be flush-mounted, using hot-dip galvanized connector nails.
  
  
• Heavy post-to-beam connections: Install 12-gauge A88 heavy angles with 3/8-in bolts where structural plans mandate rigid, bolted timber joints.
  
  
• Structural retrofits and repairs: Retrofit interior floor framing or attic trusses by installing reinforcing angles to stiffen existing joints without dismantling surrounding structures.
  
  

Next to the angles, you can choose from quality wood connector products, including brackets and braces such as TWB saw-kerf wall bracing, structural fasteners including SDS connector screws and concrete screw anchors, face-mount and slope/skew joist hangers, mending and nail plates like the NS-2 nail stopper, post bases and caps including adjustable 6x6 bases, and straps and ties for tying members together, and many more.

Need the lumber and nails too? Our complete building products in stock range from structural building materials and reliable fasteners to essential hardware, with top-grade lumber, composites, and plywood and moulding and millwork for the finish work. Browse all product categories or send us your connector list for a quote.