Simpson Strong-Tie LSCZ Adjustable Stair-Stringer Connector- ZMAX

The only thing the last contractor got right

I replaced the deck stairs for a friend, whose “class A contractor” had cut so many corners I was baffled the steps held as long as they did. These fasteners were the ONLY THING THE GUY DID RIGHT. If he hadn’t put approximately 9,000 nails into each one, I could have reused them. Since he used interior stringers and put them directly on the bare ground, the nails were more structurally sound than the stringers. I was impressed at how the brackets had held up. Not a spot of rust despite 8 years of interior wood wicking moisture up to them. I ordered 20 to be sure I had plenty … because I want to use them on my deck when I work on it next year, and maybe go into business cleaning up this dude’s messes? (Seriously I couldn’t even reuse the composite planks the guy had put in because he’d ripped them lengthwise to make them narrower to make up for his failure to account for three dimensions. What does it actually take to get a contractor’s license??)

A new Approach to Stairs

It isn't often something really new shows up in construction, but this item is it. The way it ties stringer to ledger board is very smart and easy to apply. The question is whether it will weather well in outdoor applications. All I can say at this point is no rust yet.