I will start laying the sill and am considering what nails/screws to use. We have built up a layer of leca and will place the wooden sill on top. Generally, I find that it adheres poorly to Leca.
Doesn't work in lightweight concrete. The LECA lacks the strength for the expansion tube's pressure and surface hardness.
Nail plugs (facade plugs), many, closely spaced. Only works so-so in LECA but is much cheaper than special lightweight concrete fastenings, so you can compensate with more. These from byggmax look quite OK, with some grooves. Preferably drill 1mm smaller holes than necessary when it comes to lightweight concrete.
A bit like with the cut nail that my neighbor recommended to me.
It was "his" carpenter who thought cut nails were perfect for LECA, and promptly nailed the sill to his garage with them.
And then I got a box of leftover cut nails sent with me to attach the sill to my garage.
But suspicious + curious as I am, I tried nailing one into LECA and could then pull it out basically with hand strength. It holds a little bit okay at first, but as soon as you move it a millimeter, it comes loose completely. Pretty obvious really.
I wonder how many garages that carpenter has attached with cut nails.
But probably none have blown away anyway, I can imagine...
When using masonry nails in leca, the nail must be zigzagged down. Hit 2 times, bend a little and hit 2 times, bend in the other direction and hit 2 times etc.
You should use lightweight concrete screws; there are many different lengths and dimensions. I usually use vsb screws, but don't tighten them too much.
Yes, if we are going with necro, I think it's better to drill through the lecablock down into the concrete below and attach threaded rod with chemical anchors (or even better, cast them in place when making the slab).
