Anchor bolts for a small concrete foundation？

[Elowen]

Hi all,
I’m getting ready to build a small detached structure and I’m trying to sort out the anchor bolts before the concrete work starts.
The bolts will go through the sill plate into the concrete foundation. I’m seeing several options online, including regular zinc-plated bolts, hot-dip galvanized bolts, and stainless steel.
For a normal residential project that will be outside year-round, is hot-dip galvanized usually the sensible choice? Stainless seems like overkill for this project, but I’m not sure if regular zinc-plated bolts will hold up long term.
Should the nuts and washers be the same finish as the bolts?
I’d appreciate any advice from people who have installed these before.

[mtldesigns]

45 minutes ago, Elowen said:

I’d appreciate any advice from people who have installed these before

The first advice I can give is find out what your locale requires, by checking with your codes.  For example, California code is a tad different than Florida the last I looked.  

"shall be of a corrosion resistant type" in Cali...

"shall be hot-dipped galvanized, stainless steel, silicon bronze, or otherwise corrosion-resistant as required by FBC-R Section R317" in Florida.  

I always lean to the hot dipped galv. here in the panhandle, but we are a humid climate also.  And it's cheaper than SS.

[Elowen]

Thanks, that is helpful.

I will check the local building code before buying the anchors. I had not thought enough about the pressure-treated wood issue and the corrosion requirement around the sill plate.

For this small detached structure, I am leaning toward hot-dip galvanized anchor bolts rather than regular zinc-plated bolts, especially since the connection will be exposed to moisture over time. Stainless steel would probably work, but it may be more than I need for a normal residential shed-type project.

I will also make sure the nuts and washers are compatible with the anchor bolts, instead of mixing different finishes. From what I understand, using the same or compatible corrosion-resistant finish should help avoid weak points in the connection.

One more question: when using hot-dip galvanized anchor bolts with treated lumber, would you normally use hot-dip galvanized nuts and washers as well, or are there cases where stainless washers are preferred?

[basketballman]

Trying to figure out why the downvotes ?

[Gawdzira]

Zinc should not be put in concrete nor should it be in contact with pressure treated lumber (which your sill should be). Stainless is the most superior choice but I have never seen stainless anchor bolts plus they would be overkill in material and cost. HDG are commonly available and the code required item (probably everywhere in the U.S.). For the washers you would normally use a 3"x3"x 1/4" Plate washer. Round washers do not meet code. If you don't have special shear values on the wall areas, place them no more than 48" apart and within 6-12" of each end. Try to get them centered in the plate. There are plastic holders for the bolts that you can nail to the form boards to ensure a proper spacing from the edge.