FAQ
1. Why choose Ristek plates?
We offer a wide range of competitively priced nail plates that are used in many European countries. All plates have excellent parameters, and the steel used for production comes from Scandinavian mills. Additionally, we offer the 3D Trussme truss calculation software, which is updated several times a year and adapted to the needs of Polish designers.
2. What are nail plates made of?
Nail plates are made of S350GD + Z275 steel and comply with the PN-EN 14545 standard. They range in thickness from 1 to 2 mm and are protected against corrosion by galvanization or—in the case of structures exposed to aggressive chemical environments (e.g., livestock buildings)—made of stainless steel.
3. What do the plate names LL10, LL13, and LL20 mean?
The abbreviations we use to identify a given plate indicate the thickness of the sheet metal from which the nail plate was made. For instance, the LL10 plate is made of 1 mm thick sheet metal, LL13 from 1.3 mm thick sheet metal, and LL20 from 2 mm thick sheet metal.
4. How do the plates you offer differ from each other?
In addition to the difference in thickness, the plates also have different technical parameters. Our offer includes:
LL10 made of 1 mm sheet metal, 8.5 mm nail height,
LL13 made of 1.3 mm sheet metal, 13 mm nail height, including combi plates and
connection plates
LL20 made of 2.0 mm sheet metal, 18 mm nail height
Inox steel plates
Possi joist connectors
You can find more about their technical parameters on the “Our Offer” subpage.
5. How does a Combi plate differ from a standard one?
The Combi-type nail plate is a “half-and-half” solution—it combines a section with embossed nails, pressed into the wood during the prefabrication stage, and a perforated section intended for nailing or screwing directly at the construction site. Combi plates are used when the truss is too high for standard transport (above approx. 3.2 m) or when using a press in a given connection is difficult. Thanks to this division, it is possible to transport the element in parts and connect it only at the assembly site, which avoids costly oversized transport.
6. What is the Connection-plate used for?
The Connection-plate type nail plate is used for joining wooden elements lengthwise—it is used when the structural lumber available on the market (usually up to 5.4 m) is too short for the required roof geometry and it is necessary to “extend” the beam. This plate transfers up to 40% higher forces in the direction longitudinal to the wood fibers.
7. Do the nail plates have quality certificates?
Yes. Our nail plates are manufactured based on Factory Production Control (FPC), which guarantees the repeatability of parameters for every product batch. A certificate and a declaration of performance are available for each product, confirming compliance with the requirements of standards for connectors for wooden structures. The files can be downloaded on the Downloads page.
8. How much do the plates cost?
We offer a competitive list price expressed in €/m2. However, we also apply individual discounts to each order. Therefore, please contact us to find out the exact price.
9. Who bears the transport costs?
Transport costs are on our side; therefore, the only thing the Customer pays for is the nail plates.
10. Are the plates made to order?
No. All available plate dimensions are in stock in Finland.
11. How long do I have to wait for the delivery of the plates?
The estimated transport time is 5 days; however, with close cooperation, we can often shorten it to 3 days.
12. How to choose the right nail plate for a truss?
The selection of a nail plate depends on the loads that a given structural node must transfer—this is influenced by, among other things, the type of roof, its span, snow and wind loads, and the geometry of the connection. Calculating these parameters manually is time-consuming, which is why dedicated design software like 3D Trussme is used in practice.
13. What is 3DTrussme?
3DTrussme is proprietary software created by Ristek Oy, which allows for the calculation of wooden roof structures. It is available in a Polish version, and all elements of the program are constantly improved by our team of developers.
14. Can I replace the plate specified in the project with another one?
We do not recommend replacing the nail plate specified in the project on your own without consultation—each plate is selected individually for the calculated load-bearing capacity of a specific node, and replacing it with another type or size (even a seemingly similar one) can affect the safety of the entire structure. If you need a change for any reason, please contact our technical department.
15. How much does access to the 3DTrussme program cost?
The software we offer is free, and furthermore, when establishing cooperation with us, we offer training and support from our specialists as part of working with the program.
16. Do you provide training?
Yes. We organize training at our headquarters, at your company, via the Teams application, and we also provide telephone support. We also recommend reviewing our training materials available on our website www.ristek.pl
17. Is the program in Polish?
Yes. Furthermore, the program takes into account Polish standards and annexes. Also, certificates for the plates are available on our website, which have been translated into Polish.
