Key Features
Low-Deflection Design The pre-deflected shape is built to reduce material stretch under load. That matters when you need a holdown that helps keep wall movement in check instead of adding extra give to the assembly. Built for CFS Framing This cold-formed steel holdown is designed to fit inside the open side of the stud. That makes layout cleaner and installation more straightforward in steel-framed shearwall work. High-Wind Ready Made from 118 mil, 10 gauge steel with a G90 galvanized finish, the connector is aimed at high-wind construction where reliable overturning resistance is part of the job, not an upgrade.
Overview
The Simpson Strong-Tie S/HDU6 S/HDU 10-3/8 in. Holdown for Cold-Formed Steel is a steel holdown connector made for anchoring cold-formed steel shearwall framing to the foundation so the wall can resist overturning forces. This is a holdown designed for shearwall anchorage and uplift resistance in cold-formed steel framing. Model Number: S/HDU6.
For this size, the connector body measures 10-3/8 inches high and 2-3/8 inches wide, and it is formed from 118 mil, 10 gauge steel. In practical terms, that gives you a compact but serious connector for steel stud work where you need a known holdown geometry instead of trying to piece together a field solution. The G90 galvanized coating adds corrosion protection for standard jobsite conditions, and the product is specifically listed for high-wind construction.
What separates the S/HDU series from a basic bent bracket is the pre-deflected geometry. Simpson Strong-Tie calls out that this shape virtually eliminates material stretch, which helps produce lower deflection under load. That matters on a shearwall because movement at the anchorage point adds up fast. Less stretch means a tighter, more predictable connection at the base of the wall.
The form factor is built around cold-formed steel framing, not wood framing. The holdown is specially designed to fit inside the open side of the stud, which keeps the connector tucked into the framing cavity instead of hanging out where it can interfere with adjacent components. For installers, that means cleaner integration with steel studs and better access to the specified screw pattern.
Installation details matter here. Simpson Strong-Tie specifies using standard #14 self-drilling screws to fasten the connector to studs, and it also notes that all specified fasteners must be used. The anchor bolt washer is not required, and a crescent washer is included with the holdown. If you are coordinating anchorage, Simpson points users toward SABR and PAB anchor bolts for cast-in-place anchorage options, and SET-3G and AT-3G adhesive products for retrofit anchor bolt applications.
This connector also gives you flexibility depending on how the project is engineered. The published information includes use in conventional screw-fastened cold-formed steel framing and references allowable uplift loads for welding to cold-formed steel stud and structural steel. That gives designers and installers a path when the job calls for a welded connection strategy instead of standard screw-only attachment.
On the job, this is the kind of hardware that gets chosen by engineers, framers, and specialty contractors who do not want guesswork at the base of a shearwall. It is best suited for cold-formed steel wall systems in commercial, multifamily, institutional, and other steel-framed projects where overturning restraint is part of the structural design. If you are building with steel studs and need a purpose-built holdown rather than adapting general hardware, this is exactly the lane for the S/HDU6.
Fits Cleanly Inside Steel Stud Framing
The big advantage of this design is how naturally it fits the framing. It is made to sit inside the open side of the stud, so you get a cleaner connection point at the base of the wall without fighting bulky exterior hardware.
- Designed specifically for cold-formed steel framing
- Anchors the shearwall to the foundation to resist overturning
Engineered to Cut Down Stretch
This is not just a strip of steel with holes in it. The pre-deflected profile is there for a reason: it helps limit material stretch so the connection stays tighter when the wall is loaded.
- Pre-deflected geometry is designed for low deflection under load
- Useful where wall movement and anchor point performance matter
Practical Dimensions for Base-of-Wall Layout
The S/HDU6 size keeps things straightforward when you are coordinating stud position, anchor location, and connector clearance. The published dimensions give you what you need to plan around the stud and foundation interface before steel starts going up.
- Height: 10-3/8 in.
- Width: 2-3/8 in. with 1-3/8 in. centerline and 1-1/2 in. standoff
What’s in the Box
- (1) Simpson Strong-Tie S/HDU6 holdown
- (1) Crescent washer
Fasteners and anchor hardware are not included unless separately specified for your application.
Key Specifications
| Height | 10-3/8 in. |
|---|---|
| Width | 2-3/8 in. |
| Thickness | 118 mil |
| Gauge | 10 ga. |
| Centerline | 1-3/8 in. |
| Standoff | 1-1/2 in. |
| Finish | Zinc Galvanized, G90 |
| Application | High-Wind Construction |
Compatibility
Framing Type Designed for use with cold-formed steel framing and sized to fit inside the open side of the stud. Stud Fasteners Uses standard #14 self-drilling screws to fasten the holdown to studs. Anchorage Options See Simpson Strong-Tie SABR and PAB anchor bolts for cast-in-place anchorage options. Retrofit Anchors See Simpson Strong-Tie SET-3G and AT-3G adhesive products for anchor bolt retrofit applications.
Built For
Cold-Formed Steel Framing Shearwall Anchorage Overturning Resistance High-Wind Construction Structural Steel Welding Applications Commercial Framing
Pro Tip
Do not treat every visible hole as a required fastener location. Simpson Strong-Tie notes that the pilot holes shown are for manufacturing purposes, and the holdown should be installed with the specified fasteners for the engineered assembly.
Tool Nut’s Take
Tool Nut’s Take
Why the Simpson Strong-Tie S/HDU6 S/HDU 10-3/8 in. Holdown for Cold-Formed Steel Earns Its Spot
This is a purpose-built cold-formed steel holdown that solves a structural problem cleanly, and that is exactly what you want from hardware like this.
- Who it’s for: Steel framers, engineers, and contractors building shearwalls in cold-formed steel systems.
- Why it stands out: The pre-deflected shape is the real story here because it is designed to keep deflection down instead of just checking the box for uplift connection.
- Worth knowing: This is not a universal bracket. It is meant for a specified assembly, so use the correct screws and anchorage details instead of freelancing the connection.
Common Questions
- What type of framing is this holdown designed for? It is designed for cold-formed steel framing.
- What is the finish on the S/HDU6? It has a zinc galvanized G90 finish.
- What fasteners are used at the stud? Simpson Strong-Tie specifies standard #14 self-drilling screws to fasten the holdown to studs.
- Is an anchor bolt washer required? No. Simpson Strong-Tie states that an anchor bolt washer is not required for this holdown.
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