The cost of a wedge anchor depends on a number of factors, such as the diameter and length of the wedge anchor and the amount of wedge anchors being purchased.  The cost for wedge anchors is different depending on the type of wedge anchor being purchased.  The zinc plated wedge anchor has the lowest cost, with the hot-dipped galvanized and the stainless steel having increasingly higher costs.  Go to Concrete Fastening Systems, Inc. to get the best buy on any type of wedge anchor available.
Each type of wedge anchor is used in different applications, depending on the environment it will be installed in. 

       Zinc Plated Wedge Anchors - are used in applications where moisture is not present, usually indoors.

       Hot-Dipped Galvanized Wedge Anchors - for applications where moisture is present, for outdoor applictions.

      Stainless Steel Wedge Anchors - for outdoor applications, submerged in water or where chemicals may be present.

Cost by Diameter
The larger the diameter of the wedge anchor then the higher its cost because the larger diameter contains more steel and is more costly to manufacture.  The diameter size also helps determine the holding value; the larger the diameter of wedge anchor then the better the holding values.  The diameter of wedge anchor to use can be determined by an engineer or by the diameter of the hole in the material being fastened.

Cost by Length
Wedge anchor comes in different lengths, with the longer wedge anchors costing increasingly more.  Different length wedge anchors are required to allow for different thickness of material to be fastened to the concrete.  The length of the wedge anchor required is determined by adding the minimum embedment for the diameter of wedge anchor being installed plus the thickness of the material being fastened plus space for the nut and washer.  The length of the wedge anchor is measured from one end to the other as an overall length, including the threads and the part of the stud that contains the clip.

Wedge Anchor Uses
Wedge anchors are designed to be used in solid concrete only and should never be used in other non-solid base material, such as block (CMU) or block.  The design of the wedge anchor creates a mechanical type concrete anchor that has the most consistent and best holding values of any other type of mechanical concrete fastener.  Other concrete fasteners, such as the sleeve anchor, are more versatile in terms of the variety of base material that they can be used in although the holding values are less.

Description
The wedge anchor is described with the first number representing the diameter of the wedge anchor  and the second number representing the lengh of the wedge anchor.  A 5/8" x 4-1/2" wedge anchor description means the wedge anchor is 5/8" in diameter with a lengh of 4-1/2". 

Label
The label for wedge anchor used by Concrete Fastening System, Inc. provides the necessary information to determine the type and size of wedge anchor contained in the package.   The wedge anchor item number starts with a "WA" which represents "wedge anchor".  No other letters will appear for the zinc plated wedge anchor. For a hot dipped galvanized wedge anchor, a "G" will follow the "WA", i.e. "WAG".  If the anchor is standard stainless steel, an "S" will follow the "WA" , i.e. "WAS.  If the wedge anchor is made from 316 stainless steel, then the part number will have a "S316" after the "WA", i.e. "WAS316". The description then follows the type designation. For example, a zinc plated 5/8" x 3-1/2" wedge anchor's full part number would be WA58312, and the 58312 number would refer to the description of an anchor that is 5/8" x 3-1/2".  The label also has a large picture of the wedge anchor, the number of pieces in the box, the type of wedge anchor, i.e. zinc plated, hot-dipped galvanized, stainless steel or 316 stainless steel.  The border of the label is also color coded to help distinguish different type of wedge anchors.  The zinc plated wedge anchor has a blue border label; hot-dipped galvanized a yellow border label; stainless steel has a green border label; the 316 stainless steel has a red border label.

Packaging
Wedge anchors come packaged in different quantities depending on the diameter and length of the wedge anchor.  The package quantities range from 5 pieces for the large 1-1/4"  x 12" diameter to 100 pieces for the 1/4" x 1-3/4" diameter.  Each box of wedge anchors comes with the correct number and size of nuts and washers.

Hole Diameter
The diameter of the hole that must be drilled into the concrete equals the diameter of the wedge anchor being installed.  A carbide tipped bit that meets ANSI standards must be used to insure hole tolerance with wedge anchor tolerance.  The hole must also be drilled with a hammer drill.  The hammer drill must be used in the hammer and rotation mode to insure that the hole drilled in the concrete will match the hole requirements necessary for the wedge anchor to achieve its holding values.

Depth of Hole
The hole in the concrete must be drilled a minimum of 1/2" deeper than the wedge anchor will penetrate the concrete.  This allows space for any debris created during the installation process to fall, which will avoid hindering the installation of the wedge anchor.

Minimum Embedment
Each diameter of wedge anchor has a minimum depth that the wedge anchor must be installed in order for the wedge anchor to achieve the designated minimum holding values.  Check out the technical information page at Concrete Fastening Systems, Inc. for the minimum embedments for each diameter.

Torque Value
Each diameter of wedge anchor needs to be torqued to insure proper installation.  Two or three full rotations of the nut will usually meet the requirements. However, if a torque wrench is available then torque the wedge anchors to the designated torque value for the diameter of wedge anchor being installed.

Installation

Drill a hole using a hammer drill in the concrete using a carbide bit that meets ANSI standards and that is equal in diameter to the diameter of wedge anchor being installed.

Drill the depth of the hole to a minimum of 1/2" deeper than the wedge anchor will penetrate the base material.

Cleant the hole of all dust by using a wire brush, compressed air or vacuum.

Thread the nut onto the threaded end of the wedge anchor until the top of the nut is even with the top of the threaded end of the wedge anchor.

Insert the wedge anchor into the concrete or through the fixture hole and into the concrete,.

Using a hammer, strike the nutted end of the wedge anchor until the nut is tight against either the concrete or the fixture being fastened.  Make sure that at least 5 or 6 threads are below the surface.

Tighten the nut finger tight and then, using a wrench, turn the nut clockwise 2 or 3 turns or until the required torque value is reached for the diameter of wedge anchor being installed.