I am about to use the ICF Connect joist hangers for the first time and I am unsure about a couple of things.  Please can I ask the opinions of those who are familiar with them for their advice?

1.  All my floor joists are I-joists.  In all cases the web in the middle is 3/8 inch (9mm) but the top and bottom flanges vary.  Some are 2 inches wide (47mm) and some are 2 1/2 inches (63mm).  Obviously I will use different thicknesses of ply as backer blocks according to the width of the flange.  Am I still OK to use the 1 1/2 inch screws supplied with the brackets for the wider joists?  (On the thicker joists the backer blocks will be 1 inch thick on each side so the screws should still reach the web.  The backer blocks will be very firmly attached to the web anyway).

2.  I need to use some of the 45 degree hangers in the corners.  The supplied screws look very meaty.  Do they drive through OK or is some sort of pilot hole necessary (or to be avoided at all costs!)?

Thanks for your help.

Andrew

For all those who were wondering what the answers are, I phoned ICF-Connect and they said:

1.  Thickness isn't an issue as the screws are intended to go into the packer pieces - they don't have to reach the web.  Obviously the packer pieces need to be a good fit and well attached to the joist.

2.  Pre-drill the holes for the big screws on the 45 degree brackets.

AA