From Bob the Amateur Builder’s Toolbox: Fasteners for Every Project

Check out how our product marketing manager for Fastening Systems, Bob Shirley, has upgraded his home and backyard over the years with the help of Simpson Strong-Tie® fasteners. From custom patio furniture to repurposed garden benches and creative outdoor builds, Bob’s weekend projects showcase the versatility and strength of our products. His DIY journey proves that with the right fasteners and a little creativity, you can build something truly lasting.

Bob Shirley
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DIY the Ultimate Firepit and Pergola Swing with Jen Woodhouse

DIY the Ultimate Firepit and Pergola Swing with Jen Woodhouse

Jen Woodhouse, known for her inspiring DIY projects, teamed up with Simpson Strong-Tie to create an amazing backyard oasis for some friends. The project involved transforming a beloved firepit area into a more functional and beautiful space, complete with a custom pergola and three swings surrounding the firepit. Jen wanted to ensure the space reflected the warmth and hospitality of her friends, all while building something durable and safe.

DIY Kayak and Canoe Rack: A Simple Storage Solution for Summer Adventures

DIY Kayak and Canoe Rack: A Simple Storage Solution for Summer Adventures

Summer is the perfect time to hit the water with your kayak or canoe — but do you have the right storage for all that gear? Luckily, Sadie Mae from The Awesome Orange partnered with Simpson Strong-Tie to create a smart, durable solution. She built a freestanding kayak and canoe rack that’s sturdy, weather-resistant and easy to access. It’s the perfect weekend project to keep your gear organized and ready for your next adventure.

Latest Articles

Building a Stronger Deck with Simpson Strong-Tie: A Collaboration with Sara Bendrick

We’re thrilled to have teamed up with Sara “Sarita” Bendrick, a talented landscape contractor, designer and TV host for HGTV and Discovery+. As the owner of Sarita Landscapes Inc., Sara brings creativity and sustainability to every project. In this exciting deck build, Sara worked with Simpson Strong-Tie senior product engineer Scott Fischer to ensure that the deck was not only beautiful but safe and up to code. Dive into the article below to learn more about the essential products Sara used and why they’re key to building a durable, long-lasting deck!

A Custom Workbench Built for Function and Flair

When your garage needs more space but you’re not ready to compromise on capability, a customized solution is the way to go. In this post, team member Robert Shirley walks us through his weekend project: transforming a large, outdated workbench into a sleek, space-saving design inspired by The Family Handyman’s “Super Bench!” With clever modifications, repurposed materials, and a toolkit full of Simpson Strong-Tie fasteners, Robert Shirley shares his process—and the final result is equal parts practical and personal.

Building a Career at Simpson Strong-Tie: Efrain Ramos’s 27-Year Journey of Growth

Building a Career at Simpson Strong-Tie: Efrain Ramos’s 27-Year Journey of Growth

Discover Efrain Ramos’s 27-year journey of growth and career development at Simpson Strong-Tie. From press operator to engineering supervisor, he illustrates the company’s supportive culture, professional growth opportunities and commitment to its employees.

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Outdoor Living

Meeting Industry Need with the HTTH6.5: The Next Evolution in Holdown Solutions

Joe Polder, Senior Territory Sales Manager at Simpson Strong-Tie, introduces the HTTH6.5 heavy tension tie, our latest innovation. Recognizing the need for a holdown with load strengths intermediate between our HTT5 and HDU8 products, we developed a cost-effective solution to bridge that gap. Join Joe as he delves into the features and benefits of the HTTH6.5 and how it addresses the needs of the construction field.

Building Out: Deck Planning and Career Planning at Simpson Strong-Tie

Building Out: Deck Planning and Career Planning at Simpson Strong-Tie

Lacy Patino, our CRM Strategy Manager, is focused on using Salesforce to help grow our business. Alongside her role, she has given her family cabin a facelift with a brand-new deck. She used our Deck Planner Software to plan, design, and print out plans for her contractor, making the deck-building process easy and efficient. Learn more about her experience in her role and how she's enjoying her deck.

Stylish and sturdy swing by Berman Construction Group

Elevate Your Outdoor Space with DIY Projects Using Outdoor Accents® Hardware

Summer is the perfect time to unlock the potential of your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your garden or enhance the functionality of your backyard, DIY projects using Outdoor Accents hardware from Simpson Strong-Tie offer endless possibilities. Check out projects from our partners and Simpson Strong-Tie employees to get inspired.

Shereen of Pretty and Functional

Creating a Pretty and Functional Backyard Pergola with DIYer Shereen

Build the pergola of your dreams with the help of Simpson Strong-Tie's Pergola Planner and Outdoor Accents decorative hardware. For this project, we partnered with DIYer Shereen of Pretty and Functional to upgrade her backyard space just in time for summer fun!

DIY

Simpson Strong-Tie Teams Up with Renovation Hunters for Season 3!

Simpson Strong-Tie Teams Up with Renovation Hunters for Season 3!

We’re thrilled to announce that Simpson Strong-Tie is partnering with Renovation Hunters for the brand-new Season 3 of this exciting home renovation series! As a sponsor, we're proud to support the renovation of family cabins that will be passed down through generations, ensuring these outdoor retreats stay safe, functional, and full of memories for years to come.

CPTZ™ Concealed Post Tie

Building a Porch with Dena of Fletcher Creek Cottage

DIYer Dena of Fletcher Creek Cottage is back with another exciting project, this time building a porch for her new dream home. From the CPTZ™ concealed post tie to the LRU28Z face-mount rafter hanger, Dena shares how these products helped her create a sturdy, long-lasting porch that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Read on to learn how Simpson Strong-Tie made this DIY project easier and more efficient for Dena, all while providing the strength needed to withstand the high winds of Michigan.

Empowering Young Builders: Jacob and Arjun’s Custom Workbench Journey

Empowering Young Builders: Jacob and Arjun’s Custom Workbench Journey

In this post, Allison Chang shares how her son Jacob and his friend Arjun, seventh graders on a STEAM competition team, decided they needed a workbench for better organization. They chose the Simpson Strong-Tie WBSK workbench and shelving hardware kit, which provided everything they needed. With some guidance, they finished the project in two hours, customizing it to fit their preferences. This experience helped them gain practical skills and increased their confidence for future endeavors.

A Week of DIY Creativity, Fun and Games in Kansas City

Recently, for a Kansas City golf event, Simpson Strong-Tie engineer Nehal Patel teamed with territory sales representative Thomas Haight to DIY two arcade-style games featuring Simpson Strong-Tie products in a backyard-friendly setup. Their ski-ball chip game and Plinko board are easy builds that anyone can recreate for outdoor fun.

Videos

Introducing the Quik Drive Project Pro Screw Driving Tool

Enjoy Your Backyard with the Outdoor Accents DIY Pergola Hardware Kit

Manufacture Strong, Durable Crates with a Total Solution from Simpson Strong-Tie

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Strong Conversations

Welcome to Strong Conversations hosted by Simpson Strong-Tie where we bring partners, colleagues, innovators and leaders together for insightful conversations. We dive into the subjects and issues that we all face — forging stronger connections and relationships along the way.

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Simpson Strong-Tie Featuring Jen Woodhouse

We’ve been working with Jen Woodhouse for nearly a decade. Over those years she’s built projects as small as this modern dog house to others as large as a floating deck. In the last two years, she’s built a backyard Pergola, DIY’d a workbench in under two hours and even designed and built a fence with our free Fence Planner Software. Jen is a fantastic DIYer who is a dream to work with and who isn’t afraid to tackle even the largest projects that can bring a backyard to life.

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