Types of screws and their uses are part of the basic DIY knowledgebase. Screws are the inconspicuous objects that hold the world together. Well, maybe not the world, but definitely a lot of common things that you use in your everyday life, like furniture, to you hobby projects, and even to the buildings that you work and live in. Screws are involved in holding together the benches you sit on, cabinets you put your food in, and that lovely family picture that you have hanging on your wall.
All screws are made for the same purpose, however they are not all made equal. Different types of screws are made for different purposes, there is a reason that your local hardware store has a mountain of different screws to choose from when you go in. This choice is why it is important to know the main types of screws and their purposes, so that when the time comes you know what screw to use for a particular application. If you are a DIY-er or are in the unfortunate position that you have to repair your house quite often, you will know some of these types of screws already.
Wood Screws
These screws are used for… wood. They are typically made of brass, steel, or bronze, and are only used when working with wood. Their pointed end and coarse threads make them easy to differentiate from other types.
Drywall Screws
Drywall panels are kept attached to the wall by drywall screws. There are two types, W-type screws to attach panels to wood, and S-type screws to attach panels to metal.
Self-Tapping Screws
Self-tapping screws do not need to be pre-drilled. These can be used with wood, drywall or sheet metal. Unfortunately, pulling these out means stripping the screw.
Sheet Metal Screws
Sheet metal screws can be used in a number of different scenarios, where plywood, rubber, plastic, or metal needs to be joined together. They come in different shapes and sizes depending on the material you’re working with.
Masonry Screws
These are also referred to as “anchors”, and can easily be differentiated from other screws as they do not have a pointed end. Pre-drilling is a must here.
MDF Screws
These are very commonly used in crown moulding in homes and their alternatives, and in the construction of bookcases and shelves. MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard.
Decking Screws
Decking screws are utilized to hold together exterior decking and deck flooring. Their design is meant to countersink, which is when the head of the screw is at the same level as the surface of the wood or below.
Dowel Screws
These can also be called double-ended screws, as they have thread at either end. They have no head, but have a blunt midpoint between the two threads. They must be inserted into pre-drilled pilot holes.
Mirror Screws
These are specially designed to fasten mirrors to walls, without any other fixings. They feature a countersunk head and a stylish cover cap.
Chipboard Screws
Also called twinfast screws, these are typically meant to be used with just chipboard. They feature a thread that has two times the pitch of other screws, in order to drive them easily into the chipboard.
Do you have any types of screws that should be on this list? Or have you come across a situation that you couldn’t find the right screw to use? We would love to hear your thoughts/experiences in the comments below!
Also Read:
- Tap Drill Chart – The Ultimate inch and metric table (mm and inches)
- Drill size chart – inch and metric | Downloadable PDF
- Specifying tap drill diameters – good practice or micromanagement?
- 55 types of hammers – the ultimate guide
