If you're getting into Dodge Hangers for the first time, you'll quickly notice the products are organized around two installation systems: the No Drop System and the Drop System. Understanding the difference between these two approaches is the key to choosing the right products for your project — and making sure your sheathing or siding ends up exactly where it needs to be.
What Is the No Drop System?
The No Drop System is designed for installations where your starter row of sheathing or siding needs to be installed flush with the bottom of the mudsill — even with the top of the foundation wall, with no overhang below.
The main products in this system are the Dodge Hanger Bottom (DHB) for along the wall and the Dodge Hanger Corner 0 (DHC0) for the outside corners. These hangers insert between the mudsill and the foundation wall, positioning the material at exactly the right height for a clean, flush installation.
This system is ideal when your wall assembly doesn't require the sheathing to drop below the sill — for example, when you already have a waterproofing or drainage detail at the foundation that handles moisture management.
What Is the Drop System?
The Drop System creates an approximately 1-inch drop, meaning the starter row of sheathing or siding hangs below the mudsill. This is a common requirement in residential construction because it helps create a weather barrier at the mudsill and keeps moisture from tracking behind the sheathing and into the wall assembly.
The Drop System includes the Dodge Hanger Top Leveler (DHTL) and the Dodge Hanger Rear (DHR), both of which pair with the Dodge Hanger Corner 15 (DHC15) for outside corners. The DHTL is used when you can access the top of the mudsill; the DHR is used when you can't.
How to Choose Between Them
The right system depends on your wall assembly design and your local building code requirements. Here are a few questions to guide you:
Does your building plan call for a drop at the mudsill? If yes, go with the Drop System.
Do you want the sheathing flush with the mudsill or foundation top? If yes, go with the No Drop System.
Are you installing siding over existing sheathing that already has a drop? In that case, the No Drop System (specifically the DHB) is often the right choice to maintain a consistent reveal.
When in doubt, check your local building code or consult your plans. The structural drawings or wall assembly details will typically indicate whether a drop is required.
Both Systems, Same Goal
Whether you choose No Drop or Drop, both systems are designed to give you the same core benefits: fast installation, hands-free panel holding, a locked-in no-movement nail-off, and a consistent, level starter row. The difference is just in where that starter row lands relative to the mudsill.