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BVLZ™ Brick Veneer Ledger Connector

The BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector provides a new code-compliant, tested solution for safely adding a deck to an existing house with brick veneer exterior. It attaches a wood ledger to the framing through the veneer. This patent-pending connector kit provides a viable alternative to building a free-standing deck, and it installs without having to remove or replace large sections of brick veneer.

The BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector kit includes a steel ledger plate, a compression strut, two 14" Strong-Drive® SDWH Timber-Hex HDG tension screws and six Strong-Drive SD Connector shear screws. Designed so the two tension screws pass through the vertical mortar into the structural framing, and the compression strut transfers compression forces from the ledger plate to the rim joist. The system enables the ledger to hang freely without bearing on the brick veneer.

Key Features

  • Allows for drilling through the mortar joints
  • Enables inspection/approval by building departments in a retrofit construction application
  • Accommodates a wide range of air gaps and brick sizes
  • Minimizes penetrations through existing exterior water barriers
  • Available as a single-part kit (BVLZ-KT1) or a four-part kit (BVLZ-KT4)

Material

  • 12 gauge

Finish

  • ZMAX® coating

Installation

  • Use all specified fasteners. All fasteners supplied with connector.
  • Complete installation instructions provided with each kit.
  • Measure where each ledger plate will be positioned on the veneer.
  • At first location, align the center hole of installation guide with the mortar joint in the brick veneer. Drill through the center hole using a hammer drill and a 1 1/8" masonry drill bit.
  • Drill two 40º upward-angled holes using the guide and 1 1/8"-diameter drill bit. Repeat for each plate location.
  • Mark the placement of each plate on the ledger board. Using installation guide, drill 1 1/8"-diameter hole horizontally through the center hole and mark the two angled-hole locations. Then drill two 1 1/8"-diameter angled holes at each marked location on the ledger.
  • Thread the compression strut into the back of the ledger plate to the end of the threads. Install the left-most and right-most plates on the ledger and attach each with six Strong-Drive SD Connector screws (provided).
  • Place the ledger board against the brick veneer and install two 14" Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG screws in each of the plates. Push downward on the drill while driving to ensure the screws are snug against the gusset channel and maintain a 40° angle while screwing into dry, 1 1/2"-wide minimum rim.
  • Rotate compression struts with pliers until they bear tightly against the framing. Install the remaining BVLZ connectors along the length of the ledger.

Related Literature

Wood Construction Connectors 2024-2025
C-C-2024
A catalog including new product information as well as any applicable specification and installation instructions for wood-to-wood and wood-to-concrete structural connectors.
Catalog
Conectores para la construcción con madera 2024–2025
C-C-2024SP
El catálogo incluye información sobre nuevos productos, así como especificaciones e instrucciones de instalación aplicables para conectores estructurales de madera a madera y de madera a concreto.
Catalog
Deck Connection and Fastening Guide
F-DECKCODE22
A guide to deck building and for retrofitting safer, longer-lasting outdoor decks, with 2018 and 2021 IRC/IBC code-compliant solutions for using the latest anchors, connectors and fasteners.
Product Guide
BVLZ™ - Brick Veneer Ledger Connector Installation Guide
T-C-BVLZINSTL22
An illustrated guide on how to install the BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector.
Installation Guide
Prescriptive Spacing for the BVLZ
L-C-BVLZPRESC24
This letter provides maximum on-center spacing requirements for the BVLZ when installed on existing brick veneer construction that meets the minimum framing requirements of the IRC.
Engineering Letter

Product Information Table

Fastener Production Information and Stuff & Things
Model No. Ga. Product Includes Coating/Material Packaging Qty.
BVLZ-KT1 12 Includes a steel ledger plate, compression strut, installation guide, two 14-in. Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG tension screws and six Strong-Drive SD Connector shear screws. ZMAX® 1
BVLZ-KT4 12 Includes (4) steel ledger plates, (4) compression struts, installation guide, installation template, a 1/4-in. hex driver, a 3/8-in. hex driver, (8) 14-in. Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG tension screws and (26) Strong-Drive SD Connector shear screws. ZMAX® 4

Load Tables

BVLZ
  1. Rim board must be designed to receive applied moment equal to: (Gap) x (Applied Load)
  2. When cross-grain bending or cross-grain tension cannot be avoided in the Rim, additional reinforcement to resist such forces shall be considered by the Designer.
  3. The BVLZ does not replace the need for lateral load resistance per 2018/2021 IRC Section R507.9.2.
  4. Wet service factor has been applied to BVLZ connection to deck ledger.
  5. Weatherproof ledger as required by code.
  6. 2x is 1 1/2" wide, minimum. Load values for sawn lumber are applicable to 1 1/2"-wide structural composite lumber rim with equivalent specific gravity.
  7. Wood Structural Panel (WSP) is OSB or plywood with a maximum thickness of 19/32".
  8. Fasteners: SD screws are Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Drive SD Connector screws. SDWH screws are Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Drive Timber-Hex HDG screws. For additional information, see Fastener Types and Sizes Specified for Simpson Strong-Tie Connectors.

Prescriptive Tables

For designing a code-compliant, prescriptive residential wood deck, these tables list maximum on-center spacing for the BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector. This engineering letter (L-C-BVLZPRESC19) includes all of the prescriptive spacing tables and images shown below in a pdf that can be downloaded and printed.

BVLZ Perspective View Opacity

Table 1: Prescriptive Spacing Table for the BVLZ

The following table provides the maximum on-center spacing for the BVLZ when the interior structural framing meets IRC requirements. See Figure 1 below the table for additional information on IRC requirements. Maximum on-center spacing of the BVLZ is listed. Decrease the on-center spacing when necessary to accommodate deck joist spacing.
Rim Board Species Loading Gap (in.) Rim Maximum Deck Joist Span
Up to 6 ft. Up to 8 ft. Up to 10 ft. Up to 12 ft.
On-Center Spacing of BVLZ (in.)
  1. See Figure 1 for minimum framing and IRC fastening requirements.
  2. Tabulated spacings are applicable to both OSB and plywood (specific gravity of 0.5) interior floor sheathing with 5/8" minimum thickness. For maximum spacing with other floor sheathing materials, contact Simpson Strong-Tie.
  3. A single 2x deck ledger is required. Double 2x and wider solid ledgers are not permitted.
  4. For rim boards larger than 2x12, use 2x12 solutions.
  5. Spacings for 2x sawn lumber rim boards are applicable to 1 1/2"-wide structural composite lumber rim boards with equivalent specific gravity.
  6. The BVLZ is load rated for downloads only. Support for lateral and uplift loads must be addressed by other means. See technical bulletin T-C-DECKLAT for more information on lateral loads perpendicular to the wall.
  7. A wet-service factor has been applied to the BVLZ connection to the deck ledger.
  8. Weatherproof ledger as required by code.
  9. Fasteners supplied are Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws and Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG screws.
  10. See installation guide T-C-BVLZINSTL for additional installation instructions and more information.
  11. If framing conditions are outside of these parameters, this table does not apply. See Table 3 and Table 4, if applicable, for additional solutions.
Prescriptive Installation Requirements
Figure 1
DF 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 40 30 24 -
2x12 40 30 24 20
5.5 2x10 40 30 - -
2x12 40 30 24 -
6.25 2x10 40 30 - -
2x12 40 30 24 -
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 29 - - -
2x12 29 22 - -
5.5 2x10 29 - - -
2x12 29 22 - -
6.25 2x10 - - - -
2x12 29 - - -
SP 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 36 27 22 -
2x12 36 27 22 18
5.5 2x10 36 27 22 -
2x12 36 27 22 18
6.25 2x10 36 27 - -
2x12 36 27 22 -
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 26 20 - -
2x12 26 20 16 -
5.5 2x10 26 - - -
2x12 26 20 - -
6.25 2x10 26 - - -
2x12 26 20 - -

Table 2: Prescriptive Spacing Table for the BVLZ with WSP Wall Sheathing

The following table provides the maximum on-center spacing for the BVLZ when the interior structural framing meets IRC requirements and wood structural panel (WSP) wall sheathing is present on the exterior of the wall. See Figure 2 below the table for additional information on IRC requirements. Maximum on-center spacing of the BVLZ is listed. Decrease the on-center spacing when necessary to accommodate deck joist spacing.
Rim Board Species Loading Gap (in.) Rim Maximum Deck Joist Span
Up to 6 ft. Up to 8 ft. Up to 10 ft. Up to 12 ft.
On-Center Spacing of BVLZ (in.)
  1. See Figure 2 for minimum framing and IRC fastening requirements.
  2. Tabulated spacings are applicable to both OSB and plywood (specific gravity of 0.5) interior floor sheathing with 5/8" minimum thickness. For maximum spacing with other floor sheathing materials, contact Simpson Strong-Tie.
  3. A single 2x deck ledger is required. Double 2x and wider solid ledgers are not permitted.
  4. For rim boards larger than 2x12, use 2x12 solutions.
  5. Spacings for 2x sawn lumber rim boards are applicable to 1 1/2"-wide structural composite lumber rim boards with equivalent specific gravity.
  6. The BVLZ is load rated for downloads only. Support for lateral and uplift loads must be addressed by other means. See technical bulletin T-C-DECKLAT for more information on lateral loads perpendicular to the wall.
  7. A wet-service factor has been applied to the BVLZ connection to the deck ledger.
  8. Weatherproof ledger as required by code.
  9. Fasteners supplied are Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws and Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG screws.
  10. See installation guide T-C-BVLZINSTL for additional installation instructions and more information.
  11. If framing conditions are outside of these parameters, this table does not apply. See Table 3 and Table 4, if applicable, for additional solutions.
Prescriptive Installation Requirements Figure 2
Figure 2
DF with WSP wall sheathing 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 33 25 20 -
2x12 33 25 20 16
5 2x10 33 25 - -
2x12 33 25 20 -
5.75 2x10 33 25 - -
2x12 33 25 20 -
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 23 - - -
2x12 23 18 - -
5 2x10 23 - - -
2x12 23 18 - -
5.75 2x10 - - - -
2x12 23 - - -
SP with WSP wall sheathing 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 33 25 20 -
2x12 33 25 20 16
5 2x10 33 25 20 -
2x12 33 25 20 16
5.75 2x10 33 25 - -
2x12 33 25 20 -
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 23 18 - -
2x12 23 18 - -
5 2x10 23 - - -
2x12 23 18 - -
5.75 2x10 23 - - -
2x12 23 18 - -

Table 3: Prescriptive Spacing Table for the BVLZ with Reinforced Interior Floor Framing

The following table provides the maximum on-center spacing for the BVLZ when the interior structural framing meets IRC requirements and the rim board is reinforced with A34 angles as shown. See Figures 3a and 3b below the table for additional information on IRC requirements and reinforcing of the rim. Maximum on-center spacing of the BVLZ is listed. Decrease the on-center spacing when necessary to accommodate deck joist spacing.
Rim Board Species Loading Gap (in.) Rim Maximum Deck Joist Span
Up to 6 ft. Up to 8 ft. Up to 10 ft. Up to 12 ft. Up to 14 ft. Up to 16 ft. Up to 18 ft.
On-Center Spacing of BVLZ (in.)
  1. See Figures 3a and 3b for minimum framing, IRC fastening, and rim board reinforcing requirements.
  2. Tabulated spacings are applicable to both OSB and plywood (specific gravity of 0.5) interior floor sheathing with 5/8" minimum thickness. For maximum spacing with other floor sheathing materials, contact Simpson Strong-Tie.
  3. A single 2x deck ledger is required. Double 2x and wider solid ledgers are not permitted.
  4. For rim boards larger than 2x12, use 2x12 solutions.
  5. Spacings for 2x sawn lumber rim boards are applicable to 1 1/2"-wide structural composite lumber rim boards with equivalent specific gravity.
  6. The BVLZ is load rated for downloads only. Support for lateral and uplift loads must be addressed by other means. See technical bulletin T-C-DECKLAT at strongtie.com for more information on lateral loads perpendicular to the wall.
  7. A wet-service factor has been applied to the BVLZ connection to the deck ledger.
  8. Weatherproof ledger as required by code.
  9. Fasteners supplied are Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws and Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG screws.
  10. See installation guide T-C-BVLZINSTL for additional installation instructions and more information.
  11. If framing conditions are outside of these parameters, the table does not apply.
Prescriptive Installation Requirements Figure 3A
Figure 3a
Prescriptive Installation Requirements Figure 3B
Figure 3b
Reinforced DF 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 40 30 24 20 17 15 13
2x12 40 30 24 20 17 15 13
5.5 2x10 40 30 24 20 17 15 -
2x12 40 30 24 20 17 15 13
6.25 2x10 40 30 24 20 17 - -
2x12 40 30 24 20 17 15 13
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 29 22 17 14 - - -
2x12 29 22 17 14 12 - -
5.5 2x10 29 22 17 14 - - -
2x12 29 22 17 14 12 - -
6.25 2x10 29 22 17 - - - -
2x12 29 22 17 14 - - -
Reinforced SP 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 36 27 22 18 16 14 12
2x12 36 27 22 18 16 14 12
5.5 2x10 36 27 22 18 16 14 -
2x12 36 27 22 18 16 14 12
6.25 2x10 36 27 22 18 16 - -
2x12 36 27 22 18 16 14 12
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.75 2x10 26 20 16 13 - - -
2x12 26 20 16 13 - - -
5.5 2x10 26 20 16 13 - - -
2x12 26 20 16 13 - - -
6.25 2x10 26 20 16 - - - -
2x12 26 20 16 13 - - -

Table 4: Prescriptive Spacing Table for the BVLZ with Reinforced Interior Floor Framing and WSP Wall Sheathing

The following table provides the maximum on-center spacing for the BVLZ when the interior structural framing meets IRC requirements, the rim is reinforced with A34 angles as shown, and wood structural panel (WSP) wall sheathing is present on the exterior of the wall. See Figures 4a and 4b below the table for additional information on IRC requirements and reinforcing of the rim. Maximum on-center spacing of the BVLZ is listed. Decrease the on-center spacing when necessary to accommodate deck joist spacing.
Rim Board Species Loading Gap (in.) Rim Maximum Deck Joist Span
Up to 6 ft. Up to 8 ft. Up to 10 ft. Up to 12 ft. Up to 14 ft. Up to 16 ft.
On-Center Spacing of BVLZ (in.)
  1. See Figures 4a and 4b for minimum framing, IRC fastening, and rim board reinforcing requirements.
  2. Tabulated spacings are applicable to both OSB and plywood (specific gravity of 0.5) interior floor sheathing with 5/8" minimum thickness. For maximum spacing with other floor sheathing materials, contact Simpson Strong-Tie.
  3. A single 2x deck ledger is required. Double 2x and wider solid ledgers are not permitted.
  4. For rim boards larger than 2x12, use 2x12 solutions.
  5. Spacings for 2x sawn lumber rim boards are applicable to 1 1/2"-wide structural composite lumber rim boards with equivalent specific gravity.
  6. The BVLZ is load rated for downloads only. Support for lateral and uplift loads must be addressed by other means. See technical bulletin T-C-DECKLAT at strongtie.com for more information on lateral loads perpendicular to the wall.
  7. A wet-service factor has been applied to the BVLZ connection to the deck ledger.
  8. Weatherproof ledger as required by code.
  9. Fasteners supplied are Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws and Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG screws.
  10. See installation guide T-C-BVLZINSTL for additional installation instructions and more information.
  11. If framing conditions are outside of these parameters, the table does not apply.
Prescriptive Installation Requirements Figure 4A
Figure 4a
Prescriptive Installation Requirements Figure 4B
Figure 4b
Reinforced DF with WSP wall sheathing 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 33 25 20 16 14 12
2x12 33 25 20 16 14 12
5 2x10 33 25 20 16 14 12
2x12 33 25 20 16 14 12
5.75 2x10 33 25 20 16 14 -
2x12 33 25 20 16 14 12
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 23 18 14 - - -
2x12 23 18 14 - - -
5 2x10 23 18 14 - - -
2x12 23 18 14 - - -
5.75 2x10 23 18 14 - - -
2x12 23 18 14 - - -
Reinforced SP with WSP wall sheathing 40 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 33 25 20 16 14 12
2x12 33 25 20 16 14 12
5 2x10 33 25 20 16 14 12
2x12 33 25 20 16 14 12
5.75 2x10 33 25 20 16 14 -
2x12 33 25 20 16 14 12
60 psf Live and 10 psf Dead 4.25 2x10 23 18 14 - - -
2x12 23 18 14 - - -
5 2x10 23 18 14 - - -
2x12 23 18 14 - - -
5.75 2x10 23 18 14 - - -
2x12 23 18 14 - - -

Code Reports & Compliance

Drawings

PDF DWG DXF RFA IFC SAT