It carries tension along a line, holding two members against being pulled apart.

It does not support bearing load like a hanger.

It does not resist lifting like a tie-down.

Being flat steel, it adds almost nothing to the joint's thickness.

That lets it be covered by sheathing or plasterboard.

Splices, wall junctions and openings are the usual locations.

Situations where no standard length is right.

It is supplied on a roll and cut to suit the run.

That removes the length constraint entirely.

The trade is that the installer determines the capacity by the fastener schedule.

With coiled strap the connection is only as good as the schedule followed.

It suits retrofit and irregular work where standard parts do not fit.

No - the fasteners at each end determine the capacity.

A strap is far stronger in tension than the nails holding it.

The connection therefore fails at the fasteners essentially always.

Doubling the strap length achieves nothing.

Adding the specified number of fasteners at each end is what works.

Length is chosen to reach sound framing rather than to add strength.

No - it works in tension only and buckles if loaded the other way.

A strap fitted where a brace was needed does nothing.

That is a common misunderstanding of the part.

Bracing against racking needs a member that works in compression.

Straps can form part of a braced panel alongside other components.

The direction of the force being resisted decides which part is appropriate.

Whatever the manufacturer's schedule states for the capacity required.

Published tables give fastener count against capacity.

Both ends must have the full count.

A strap well nailed at one end and lightly at the other fails at the light end.

Fastener type is specified as well as quantity.

Edge and end distances in the timber matter as much as the number of nails.

Along its working length, yes - a kinked strap straightens under load.

That straightening is movement the joint was not designed for.

Straps bent around a corner are a different part entirely.

Twist straps exist specifically for right-angle connections.

Bending a flat strap on site work-hardens it.

Where the geometry is not straight, the correct shaped connector is ordered instead.

Generous rather than minimal, because a buried strap cannot be inspected.

Damp locations, treated timber and external work all attack steel.

Modern preservatives are considerably more aggressive than older ones.

A strap inside a wall is invisible once the wall is closed.

Fasteners must match the strap's corrosion class.

The cost difference at purchase is trivial against the cost of finding out later.