Predeflected Body The HDU5-SDS2.5 holdown is predeflected during manufacturing, which helps virtually eliminate deflection under load caused by material stretch. That matters when you want a tighter connection in shearwall and braced-wall applications. SDS Screws Included Simpson includes the specified 1/4 in. x 2-1/2 in. Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws and crescent washer in the box. You get the right fasteners without having to piece the install together yourself. Built for Wood Framing This galvanized steel holdown is made for wood-to-wood connections in high-wind and other lateral-load construction. It gives you a stronger post connection without the hassle of countersinking stud bolts at openings.
The Simpson Strong-Tie HDU5-SDS2.5 holdown is a galvanized steel holdown for wood framing connections in shearwalls, braced-wall panels, and other lateral-load applications. This is a holdown designed for resisting uplift and lateral forces in wood-to-wood construction. Model Number HDU5-SDS2.5. If you are tying a post or end stud down to the foundation and want a cleaner install than a bolted holdown, this is the style of connector built for that job.
What makes this model practical on the job is how it uses Simpson Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws instead of making you fight with a stud-bolt layout. The included screws install more easily, reduce fastener slip, and leave more net wood section in the post compared to bolts. Simpson also calls out that there are no stud bolts to countersink at openings, which is one of those small details that saves time and avoids headaches when framing tight wall ends.
The body is predeflected during manufacturing, and that is not just a brochure feature. In real use, it helps virtually eliminate deflection caused by material stretch under load. On a wall line, that means a tighter, more controlled connection where movement matters. For builders working on high-wind construction or engineered shearwall details, that reduction in initial slack is a real benefit.
The Simpson Strong-Tie HDU5-SDS2.5 holdown is made from 14-gauge steel with a zinc galvanized G90 finish. For interior framing or code-appropriate protected applications, that gives you corrosion resistance without stepping up to a hot-dip galvanized version. At 13-3/16 in. tall and 3 in. wide, it is sized for jobs where you need a compact but purpose-built holdown in the HDU family.
Installation is straightforward as long as you follow the specified hardware. This model is installed with a 5/8 in. anchor bolt and the included 1/4 in. x 2-1/2 in. SDS connector screws. Simpson notes that the HDU requires no additional washer, and that the SDS screws install best with a low-speed, high-torque drill using a 3/8 in. hex-head driver. Those details matter because holdowns only perform as intended when the exact fastener schedule is followed.
In the box, you get the holdown, fourteen 1/4 in. x 2-1/2 in. Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws, and one crescent washer. That is another reason this connector is contractor-friendly. You are not left guessing which screws to buy or whether a generic fastener is close enough. Simpson supplies the hardware that matches the engineered design of the connector.
This holdown is best for framers, general contractors, engineers, and serious remodelers working on shearwalls, end posts, and braced-wall details in wood construction. It is especially useful in high-wind regions and anywhere uplift resistance is part of the structural plan. If you need a holdown that installs faster than older bolt-heavy designs and keeps the connection tight, this is the kind of hardware worth buying once and doing right.
This is where the HDU design earns its keep. Instead of dealing with stud bolts that need countersinking at openings, you get a cleaner install built around SDS connector screws and a 5/8 in. anchor bolt.
Anchor bolt is not listed as included. This model installs with a 5/8 in. anchor bolt.
| Type | Holdown |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Finish | Zinc Galvanized, G90 |
| Gauge | 14 ga |
| Height | 13-3/16 in. |
| Width | 3 in. |
| Base Width | 3-1/4 in. |
| Weight | 2.75 lbs |
| Materials Connected | Wood to wood |
| Package Quantity | 1 |
High-Wind Construction Shearwalls Braced-Wall Panels Wood Framing Structural Tie-Downs General Contracting Remodeling Carpentry
Use a low-speed, high-torque drill with a 3/8 in. hex-head driver for the included SDS screws. You will get better control seating the fasteners, especially when you are trying to keep the holdown tight to the post during install.
Tool Nut’s Take
If you want a wood framing holdown that cuts out some of the usual install nonsense, this is a smart pick.
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