Shop Beam Straps

Beam straps do more than hold your timbers together—they add bold visual structure and timeless craftsmanship to any exposed beam layout. Whether you're building a timber frame home, a vaulted ceiling, or a decorative faux beam setup, getting the right strap design—and installing it properly—is key.

At Old West Iron, we offer fully customizable beam straps designed to meet both structural demands and aesthetic goals. Here’s how to order with confidence and install with strength.

Understanding Beam Strap Layouts

When ordering your straps, it’s important to identify how your beams meet and what the strap needs to accomplish. The most common configurations are:

• Equal Beam Join (Pitch Strap): Both beams are the same size and intersect at a 90° angle—this is referred to as a pitch strap.

• Beam with Return: One beam ends at a wall or post, and the strap wraps around the beam and "returns" along the surface.

• L-Shape or T-Shape Straps: Used for corner joints or perpendicular beam intersections.

Let us know your layout and beam dimensions when ordering so we can ensure proper fit and function.

Structural vs. Decorative Hole Placement

The placement and number of fastener holes is critical—both for looks and load-bearing capability:

Holes on the Face

• When holes are on the face of the strap, we recommend using rivets for a clean, decorative finish.

• These face holes can be used structurally but may require bolts or lag screws if under load—be sure to consult your builder or engineer.

• No rivets are included unless requested—be sure to specify if you'd like rivet caps for face holes.

Holes on the Sides

• For straps that wrap around the sides of beams (U-straps or L-straps), we recommend placing fasteners on the sides for stronger support.

• These side holes are ideal for structural lag bolts or timber screws.

• Rivets may be added for aesthetic consistency if the face is visible, but structural fastening should be done through the sides when possible.

How Many Holes Should You Include?

This depends on:

• The size of the beam

• Whether the strap is structural or decorative

• The load-bearing function of the joint

As a general guide:

• For decorative straps, 2–4 face holes with rivets are typically sufficient.

• For structural straps, include lag bolt holes on both sides of each beam junction.

• You can also request a specific number of holes based on engineering or visual preferences.

Let us know if you're working from plans—we’re happy to help customize your strap to meet the specs.

Installation Tips

1. Dry Fit First – Hold your strap in place before drilling to ensure proper alignment.

2. Pre-Drill Holes – Especially for hardwood beams or large lag screws.

3. Use Matching Fasteners – We offer square head bolts, lag screws, and decorative rivets that match your strap’s finish.

4. Rivets Are Decorative – If using rivet caps, they can be glued or lightly tapped into pre-drilled holes for a forged look.

5. Finishes Matter – Raw iron will patina naturally; powder-coated finishes offer longer-lasting protection outdoors.

How to Order Beam Straps from Old West Iron

To place your order, have the following ready:

• Beam sizes and configuration (pitch, T-joint, return, etc.)

• Desired strap width and thickness

• Finish choice (black, raw, sealed, rusted, etc.)

• Number and placement of holes

• Preference for rivets, screws, or bolts

• Any custom measurements or installation notes

Our team will fabricate your straps to exact specs and ship them ready for installation.

Need help designing your layout?
Contact us with photos, plans, or sketches—we’ll help you choose or custom-build the right solution.

Explore our full Beam Straps Collection to find handcrafted iron hardware that adds integrity and impact to your structure.

Old West Iron: Built for strength. Forged for legacy.