Designed specifically for use with Simpson Strong-Tie connectors and cold-formed steel framing, the new XEQ screw features a unique heat treatment. It has a hardened tip at 52 HRC and a load-bearing, threaded shank that is less than 34 HRC. This dual-hardened heat treatment is not utilized in standard self-drilling screws and results in a screw that is more ductile and less prone to hydrogen embrittlement.
Simpson Strong-Tie releases XEQ self-drilling screw
This Month’s Features
Top 5 Factors when Considering Insulated Metal Panels vs. Metal Building Insulation
As insulated metal panels are widely available, is it still a best practice to rely on a “legacy” insulating material like fiberglass-based metal building...
Transformative Metal Roofing Design:
A Catalyst for Architectural Innovation
A Catalyst for Architectural Innovation
For architects, designers, and building owners, metal roofing no longer represents a tradeoff between performance and aesthetics; it has become a catalyst for design...
Thinking Beyond “Bigger is Better”:
Snow Retention in Alpine Design
Snow Retention in Alpine Design
Snow retention systems are among the most visible functional components of a metal roof, making aesthetic integration an important consideration in resort architecture.
Insulation: The Hidden Detail Defining Metal Building Design
More architects are embracing the look of exposed insulation, leaning into its raw, utilitarian appeal as part of a broader industrial or rustic design...
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March/April 2026