Flat Joining Plate 2.5mm Heavy Duty Galvanised Steel

Heavy duty galvanised steel flat joining plate, manufactured to the harmonised European standard EN 14545:2008 for structural connections in timber construction - splicing, bracing and reinforcing joints in fences, decking, roof trusses, stud walls and general framing wherever two timber members need a strong, flat mechanical connection.

Unlike an angle bracket, which is built for a fixed 90° corner, a flat plate is a versatile connector that can be positioned across almost any joint configuration - spanning a butt joint to splice two lengths of timber end-to-end, bridging a crack or weak point in an existing member, or fixed across the face of a lap joint to resist pull-apart forces. It's fixed with nails or screws through the pre-punched holes on both sides of the joint, distributing load across the full plate rather than concentrating it at a single fixing point.

Manufactured from Z275 galvanised steel, these plates carry a declared characteristic yield strength of 220 N/mm² and a minimum elongation at failure of 20% - giving the plate enough ductility to deform slightly under overload rather than fracturing suddenly, an important safety characteristic in structural timber connectors. The Z275 galvanised coating is rated for service classes 1 and 2 under EN 1995-1-1 (Eurocode 5), covering enclosed and outdoor timber construction.

Key Features

• Manufactured from Z275 galvanised steel for corrosion resistance in exposed structural timber connections
• Manufactured to EN 14545
• Declared characteristic yield strength of 220 N/mm² with a minimum 20% elongation at failure, so the plate deforms rather than fractures suddenly under overload
• Z275 coating rated for service classes 1 and 2 under EN 1995-1-1 (Eurocode 5), suitable for enclosed structures and outdoor timber work
• 2.5mm (approx. 0.098″) plate thickness for a rigid, load-spreading connection across the joint
• Six sizes available, from 100×35mm (3.94″×1.38″) up to 280×55mm (11.02″×2.17″)
• Pre-punched fixing holes on both sides of the joint, ready for nail or screw fixing without on-site drilling
• Flat profile suits butt joints, splices, lap joints and crack or weak-point repairs - a more versatile fixing than an angle bracket, which is limited to a fixed 90° corner

Specification

• Material: Galvanised steel, Z275 coating
• Standard: EN 14545
• Manufacturer's intended use: for structural timber elements
• Characteristic yield strength: 220 N/mm²
• Minimum elongation at failure: 20%
• Thickness: 2.5mm

Sizes

Typical Applications

Because the plate can be positioned across almost any joint rather than only a fixed 90° corner, it covers a wider range of timber connection jobs than an angle bracket:

• Splicing timber lengths end-to-end, where the plate bridges a butt joint and carries load across the full length of the fixing pattern rather than through a single connector
• Reinforcing or repairing damaged, split or cracked joists and rafters, bridging the weak point with a load-spreading steel face
• Bracing fence panels and posts at joints that see repeated wind or lateral load, where a flat connector can be positioned to suit the joint rather than being restricted to a 90° corner
• Roof truss and stud wall framing, adding a mechanical connection alongside or in addition to standard nailing at a joint
• Decking substructure connections, including lap joints between joists and bearers where the plate resists pull-apart forces
• General structural timber repair and reinforcement wherever a flat, load-spreading connector is a better fit than an angled corner bracket

Installation Guidance

Position the plate centrally over the joint so it makes full contact with both timber faces being connected, then fix through every pre-punched hole on both sides of the joint rather than only a few - this spreads the load evenly across the whole plate instead of concentrating it at one end, which is the main structural advantage of a flat plate over a single point fixing. Use nails or screws sized to seat fully through the pre-punched holes, and where the connection spans a butt joint or crack, make sure the plate is centred over the joint line so both halves of the connection carry an equal share of the fixing pattern. On a lap joint, fit the plate across the overlapping faces so the fixing pattern on each side ties into a separate timber member, which is what allows the plate to resist the two members pulling apart under load.

Order before 2pm Mon–Fri for same-day dispatch from our UK warehouse.