With what do you attach a sill to concrete?

The correct choice for attaching a sill to concrete is bolts. Bolting provides a secure and sturdy connection that can withstand various forces, such as uplift and lateral movement, which are particularly important in construction for overall structural integrity. When attaching a sill, the use of bolts allows for greater load distribution and strength, making it suitable for building frames, especially in areas that may experience significant stress or movement.

In residential construction, it is common to rest a sill plate on a concrete foundation or slab; therefore, using bolts ensures that the sill is safely fastened to the concrete and minimizes the risk of shifting over time. Additionally, bolting is recommended to comply with local building codes and standards, which often outline specific fastening methods for different conditions.

Other methods such as adhesives, masonry nails, or mortar may provide some level of attachment but are typically not adequate alone for securing sill plates to concrete. Adhesive may not provide the mechanical strength needed, masonry nails can easily be pulled out under stress, and mortar is not designed to provide a strong fastening for structural elements like a sill. Each of these alternatives lacks the reliability and strength that bolting provides in securing structural components effectively.