what are drywall screws

The drywall screw series is one of the most important categories in the whole fastener product line. In life, we often see drywall screws on various occasions, such as on the wall, in the wardrobe, on the board, and so on. In fact, we are no strangers to drywall nails. Today we are going to have a deep understanding of drywall screws.

What are drywall screws?

Drywall screws have deeper threads than regular screws, which prevents them from dislodging easily from the drywall. They are made of steel and require a power screwdriver to drill them into the drywall. In addition, drywall screws are often used along with plastic anchors that help distribute the weight of the hung object evenly over the surface.

The pitch of the screw can be classified as either coarse or fine. The more coarsely threaded the screw, the tighter it holds. Plus, since it contains fewer threads, it screws into place faster. On the other hand, although finely threaded screws take longer to insert, they have sharper points, making it easier to insert the screw in the first place. You’re meant to use coarsely threaded drywall screws when you’re attaching the drywall to softwood studs, while finely threaded drywall screws are meant to be used when you’re attaching the drywall to light metal studs.

Drywall screws are classified according to length and pitch. There are two common types of drywall screw lengths: S-type and W-type. S-type screws are designed for attaching drywall onto metal. Their sharp points make penetrating the surface easier. W-type screws, on the other hand, are longer and thinner. They are designed for installing drywall onto wood. Although drywall panels differ in thickness, it’s usually sufficient to drive W-type screws into the wood at least 0.63 inches (1.6 centimeters), and for S-type screws to penetrate a metal stud to a depth of 0.38 inches (0.9 centimeters) If you are screwing through multiple layers, make sure the length of the screw is enough to penetrate at least 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters) into the second layer.

Difference between drywall screws and wood screws

Screws are named according to what material they are intended for: Drywall screws are used for fastening sheets of drywall to the wood or metal framing for a building. Wood screws are used for fastening pieces of wood.

NO1 What They Are Made Of?

Wood screws are made of zinc-plated steel, stainless steel, silicon bronze (used mostly in boat-building and restoration) and brass (usually chosen for its decorative appeal). Drywall screws are made of case-hardened steel. They are usually black, due to a black phosphate finish on the steel.

NO2 Heads

Wood screws are available with a variety of heads which correspond to the type of driver needed to install them and the use to which the screw is being put. Slotted-head and Phillips-head screws correspond to slotted (straight) and Phillips head screwdrivers. Slotted screws and Phillips head screws come with flat heads, oval heads and round heads. Flathead screws are countersunk below the surface of the wood, and the hole is filled with a dowel or wood putty. Oval head screws are not countersunk and the oval head gives a more finished look to the project. Round head screws protrude above the surface of the wood for a decorative effect. Drywall screws have bugle heads, which are set a little below the surface of the drywall, with the holes filled with joint compound when the drywall is finished. Drywall screws for trim have a flat head that fits a Phillips head screwdriver or a flat head that fits a square driver.

NO3 Sizes

Wood screws are numbered from 0 to 20, indicating a diameter from about 1/16 in. to 5/16 in. The length of wood screws is measured in inches and fractions of inches and ranges from approximately 3/4 inches long to 4 inches. Drywall screws are available in sizes 6 to 10, with the size indicating threads/per inch. The length of the drywall screw suitable for a particular job depends on the thickness of the drywall. For hanging 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch thick drywall on wood studs, 1-1/4-inch long, #6 coarse thread drywall screws would work well. For installing 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch thick drywall on steel studs, the drywall screws should be 1 inch long.

NO4 Tips

Wood screws usually require a pilot hole to get them started, although some wood screws, like all drywall screws, have very hard, sharp tips that make them self-starting, or self-tapping. Self-tapping screws do not require a pilot hole; they are driven directly in the material with a manual screwdriver or electric driver.