A star bolt — also called a wall anchor, masonry tie plate, or through-wall rod system — is a structural hardware assembly used to tie a bowing or separating masonry wall back to a building’s interior framing. The name comes from the characteristic star-shaped cast iron or steel plate visible on the exterior wall after installation.
The system consists of three parts: a threaded galvanized steel rod that passes completely through the wall from the exterior brick face to the interior framing; a bearing plate on the inside (typically flat, bearing against a floor joist or wall framing member); and the decorative star plate on the outside, which is tightened against the brick face to apply compressive force that draws the wall back toward the structure.
Star bolts have been used on Philadelphia brick buildings since the late 1800s. The traditional star-shaped plate design became an architectural signature of Philadelphia’s rowhome neighborhoods and is recognized as a historically appropriate repair method by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Modern installations use galvanized or stainless steel hardware with engineered plate sizing and rod diameter to match the load requirements. NK Construction & Design installs star bolts as part of a complete structural assessment — not as a standalone cosmetic fix.