FAQs

Yes! We love designing the perfect item for our customers' unique needs. We do not charge for customization, we just charge for the cost of the steel. Use the contact form below or send an email to quotes@timberplates.com for a customized quote. Please be sure to include:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Any designs, drawings you have
• Steel thickness
• you would like powder coating
• The shipping address

We can take it from there.

We do ship to Canada but customs fees and tariffs will need to be added to the cost of shipping. Please contact us for a complete quote for your order.

In general the collection you choose will be determined by the width of the timbers. We usually recommend you leave a wood "reveal" around the plates rather than have the plates go right to the edge of the wood. Also, please be aware that “dimensional lumber” is specified in nominal dimensions. For example, a 4 x 4 dimensional lumber post like you would buy at a big box store is actually 3 ½” x 3 ½” so our 4” wide Taiga plates would actually extend past the edge of the lumber. Rough sawn lumber is typically specified in actual dimensions so a rough sawn 8x8 will be roughly 8" by 8".

If in doubt, call us and we will work with you to select the best choice for your application.

Purely decorative plates can be 3/16". Plates that are expected to provide structural support should usually be 1/4". Note: Customer takes all responsibility for structural suitability of timber connector plates. A qualified engineer should always be consulted to ensure structural integrity.

Need another thickness? Please contact us for additional options.

The standard hole size of our plates is 11/16”. These holes are designed for 5/8" bolts. If you would like to use a fastener of a different diameter, please contact us. We can usually make that change for free.

We use industry-standard A36 plate. If you need a custom grade of steel please call for a quote.

• Unfinished (included) - Mild steel rusts so expect some superficial rust on your plates. In most cases you can ignore it and apply your finish right over it, but if you really want, take some steel wool or sandpaper to it and wipe it off.
• Powder coat (additional cost) - Our matte black powder coat is gorgeous and one of the most durable finishes on the market. This is the preferred option for outdoor applications because of its UV stability. Matte black powder coating can be selected at checkout. Contact us if you need a different color.
• Galvanized - For outdoor installations in very wet environments or in environments close to the ocean, galvanizing is the best choice for rust resistance. Please contact us for a quote if you need your parts galvanized.

In addition, there are other finish options you can do yourself. Please see our How it Works page for more information.

Yes! We do offer galvanizing. Please give us a call and we can give you a quote. Please note that galvanizing adds substantially to lead times. Please plan accordingly.

The powder coating option will appear above your cart during the checkout process.

Click the checkbox and cost will be added to your cart. It might take a second or two to refresh the screen. To remove powder coating, uncheck the box.

Our plates are cut to order and shipping of heavy steel plates is expensive. As such we are regrettably not able to accept returns. Please review your order carefully before you place it. If you are even remotely unsure, consider making mockups out of cardboard or typing paper. All of our plates have detailed images that you can zoom in on and get accurate dimensions.

If all else fails, call us and we can help you pick the right plates. We love helping customers on their projects.

The lead time is displayed in red at the top of the Cart with at least one item in it. That is the best way to see the most up-to-date times. In general, powder coating and welding will add additional time to the standard lead time listed. Lead time is measured from the order placed to when it is shipped from our shop. We unfortunately have no control over independent carrier ship times. You will get a tracking number as soon as your order is shipped.

If you have not received a tracking number, you can call or email us and we can provide you with an updated shipping estimate. If your order has shipped, please use the tracking information provided.

We sometimes ship orders in multiple boxes. You will receive a tracking number for each box. Even though we ship all the boxes at the same time, they don’t always show up on the same day. Please verify the tracking information for each box.

Unfortunately there are times when orders do get lost or damaged during shipping. Please contact us with the tracking number and we will assist you in resolving the issue. If there is damage, pictures of the damage and as much detail as you can provide will help us when we are filing a claim with the shipping company on your behalf.