Guide to Different Types of Screws and Their Uses

Screws are one of the most common items that you’ll see when doing DIY work. They’re very similar to nails, however what makes them different are threads. Threads are ridges which are located on the shaft of the screw and are what grip the inside of a screw hole when driven into a material.

In the DIY and trade world, there is a sizeable number of screws in a variety of shapes and sizes. From specialised screws such as a hammer-drive screw, to regular wood screws.

In this BC Profiles blog resource, we’ll explain the different types of screws you’re likely to see, what they can be used for, as well as pros and cons for each one.

Masonry/Concrete Screws

Masonry screws are designed to be used with masonry materials such as concrete They’re very common for the outdoors and feature zinc plating for corrosion protection. However, they require special tools to install into concrete.

Wood Screws

Wood screws are as they sound; they’re designed to be used with wood. The main limitation of a wood screw is that they’re not designed to be used with any other type of material.

Drywall Screws

Drywall screws allow you to secure drywall to wooden studs and beams/joists. While you cannot use them to connect any drywall to metal, they’re very easy to use and hide as well.

Decking Screws

You can use decking screws to either build or repair decking. They’re strong screws which are not only very impact resistant but are also rust resistant. However, they can only be used with decking and no other types of wood.

MDF Screws

MDF Screws should be used with MDF because no pilot holes are required, so they’re easy to use. However, they’re not suitable for any other types of construction wood.

Sheet Metal Screws

A sheet metal screw is a strong screw which allows you to fix a variety of materials such as plastic or wood to sheet metal. These types of screws are strong and come in a carbon-steel version for extra strength. But the carbon-steel versions can only be used in the interior of a property.

Self-Tapping Screws

Self-tapping screws are an innovatively designed screw which taps its own hole in a material. So, no pilot hole is required before you use one. However, because the screws are so strong, fragile materials may split.

Double-Ended Screws

These screws can be inserted into two different pilot holes to fasten wood pieces together. They’re often used in prefabricated furniture to add extra strength, but once you fasten the wood pieces together, the screw cannot be removed.

Mirror Screws

Mirror screws can be used to fasten a mirror into a wall. They’re good for DIY projects because they won’t damage the wall you want to install the mirror to; however, they require a pilot hole.

Hammer-Drive Screws

These specialist screws secure items, such as letters on a sign or nameplates. They’re incredibly durable, but because they’re so specialist, they need special tools to fix the items together and cannot be removed.

At BC Profiles, we hope that this has given you some insight into the many different types of screws and their uses. If you have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to look through our other blog resources or contact the customer support team.