The bits and pieces.
Stocked deep.

Simpson Strong-Tie is the dominant North American manufacturer of structural connectors: galvanized or coated steel hardware that joins wood framing members at code-required connection points. Common products include joist hangers, hurricane ties, post bases, post caps, hold-downs, framing angles, and beam straps. Each connector has an engineered load value listed in the catalog, and most are required by building code at specific connection points (rafter-to-top-plate, post-to-foundation, etc.). Midway Supply stocks the common Simpson Strong-Tie line for Middle Tennessee builders.

Coarse-thread drywall screws have widely-spaced threads designed to grip in soft wood: used to attach drywall to wood studs and joists. Fine-thread drywall screws have closely-spaced threads that bite into harder material: used to attach drywall to metal studs and tracks. The wrong thread will strip out or fail to hold. Both come in 1-1/4″ (1/2″ rock to wood), 1-5/8″ (5/8″ rock to wood), and other lengths. Midway stocks both in box and bulk quantities.

Joist hangers are U-shaped metal connectors that support a joist where it meets a beam or ledger board, transferring the joist's load into the supporting member without relying on toenailed connections (which fail under uplift and shear). Required by code at most ledger-to-joist connections, especially for deck construction, floor framing into engineered beams, and any condition where the supporting member is not a continuous wall plate. Sized to match joist depth and species. Midway carries Simpson Strong-Tie hangers for all common joist depths.

A hurricane tie connects rafters or trusses to the top plate of the wall, resisting uplift forces from wind. Required by code in high-wind regions and increasingly in standard residential construction. A hold-down (also called an anchor bolt or HDU) connects shear-wall framing to the foundation, resisting overturning forces from lateral loads. Both are Simpson Strong-Tie staples; both have specific engineering values that must match the design load. Midway carries the common sizes.

For 5/4 (1-inch nominal) deck boards into 2x joists, 2-1/2 inch deck screws are the standard. For 2x decking on 2x joists, use 3-inch screws. Composite decking typically uses hidden-fastener systems or specialty 2-3/4 inch composite screws with reverse-thread heads to prevent surface mushrooming. Stainless steel or polymer-coated deck screws resist corrosion better than zinc-coated for outdoor applications. Midway stocks deck screws in coated steel, stainless, and bulk pail quantities.

Structural lumber screws (FastenMaster LedgerLOK, GRK RSS, Simpson SDWS) are heat-treated, self-drilling screws engineered to replace lag bolts in most structural-connection applications: same load capacity as 1/2-inch lag bolts, no pre-drilling required, faster install. Lag bolts (lag screws) are traditional hex-head wood screws that typically require a pilot hole and a wrench to install; still used where the engineering specifies them or where the structural screw is unavailable. Midway carries both.