I am always keen to save money and from what I have read using anchor bolts to attach the ledger board sounds like a cheaper way of doing it than using the Simpson ties.  (I'm doing all the work so labor costs aren't a big factor).  I want to get it right though, so please can I ask some basic questions about anchor bolts.

1. Assuming that I am using L bolts, does it matter which direction the right angle piece points?  I can't imagine that it does but assumption is the mother of many an expensive mistake so I thought I would ask!

2. Is it best practice to position the end of the bolt in the middle of the concrete or at the far side, i.e. as far in as possible (or between the two)?

3. Size and spacing will be down to the engineer but what do you commonly use?  ( I want to try and price it up).  It's a six inch core on a roughly two and a half inch Nudura form.

4.  What spec does the bolt have to be, e.g. high tensile, stainless / galvanised / bright zinc plated etc.?

5.  What size and type of washers do you tend to use between the nut and the ledger board?

6.  Are anchor tunnels worth the money?

Thanks very much for your help.

Andrew

aa_uk,
1) doesn't matter.
2) i use middle with cup of wood always to concrete.
3) usually use 10' on 3' or 4' foot centers. fyi Nudura is 2 5/8 so that it's the size of a 2x12 (here anyway) of 11 1/4" in width (for 6" concrete).
4) it will be hard for this to matter since even with a weak bolt your roof will fall apart far sooner than the bolt will shear. I always use galvanized (heaven forbid stainless $$$).
5) larger washers are better since if anything fails here it will be the wood.
6) they work great but you can also just cut the foam and run the concrete out flush -- same thing -- more labor.

regards,
cameron

Thank you very much for your help.

It does not come much more cheaper since the spacing of the bolts are less than tthe simpsons.
Get an estimate done . By experience the ledger goes on twice as quick. Most common spacing for simpsons are 4' and all you have to do to install is use a key hole and 1 screw to hold it in place.
Good Luck.

Thanks very much. I will price the two methods up.