Anchor Bolt Selection Guide: Wedge, Sleeve and Chemical Anchors for Concrete

Anchoring into concrete is one of those jobs where the right fastener is invisible and the wrong one is a callback. Here's how the main types differ.

Wedge anchors

A wedge anchor expands a clip against the hole wall as you tighten it. High holding power in solid concrete, ideal for structural fixings, base plates, machinery, steelwork. Not for hollow or brittle base materials.

Sleeve anchors

A sleeve anchor spreads its grip over a longer sleeve, which makes it more forgiving in weaker or variable base material and in brick. A good all-rounder for medium-duty fixings.

Chemical anchors

Chemical (resin) anchors bond threaded bar into a drilled hole with injected resin. They deliver the highest loads, work close to edges without splitting the concrete, and suit deep embedments and seismic-rated fixings. The go-to for heavy structural anchoring.

Choosing and buying

Match the anchor to your load, base material and edge distances, and to the exposure, choosing stainless (A4) near the coast. We stock wedge and sleeve anchors, fix bolts, and threaded bar with resin for chemical anchoring. Send your fixing schedule for a quote.