Drywall screws are the most common type of fastener used in the construction industry. They make for an easy way to fix or secure many types of material; wall studs, frames, drywall, insulation, and joists.
According to one estimate The Global Drywall Screws Market reached a value of 2161.4 million USD in 2020 and is expected to reach 3701.9 million USD by the end of 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.9%.
Drywall screws are the type of self-tapping screw. The commonly used drywall screws are the Phillips flathead screws, flat-head slotted screws, the square-drive head, and twelve-point flange head screws.
Drywall screws are versatile and long-lasting. If you’re planning on installing drywall in your houses, there are different things you have to consider
1.What is the length of the drywall screw?
2.What is the gauge of the drywall screw?
3.What is the drywall screw thread?
4.Consider the material the screw will be going into- wood or metal studs.
5.How to drive it and the drywall screw’s head types?
Initially, drywall screw lengths and sizes, thread types, heads, and composition may appear confusing.
However, when it comes to DIY home renovation, this broad array of options narrows down to only a few well-defined options that function within the restricted sorts of applications experienced by most homeowners. Even considering these four main characteristics of drywall screws will help you the most, length, gauge, head, and thread.
That’s why it’s vital to have a basic understanding of drywall screws before buying them -not only will it save your time and money, but it could also save you from unnecessary hassles down the road. Here are the 4 vital characteristics you need to know before buying a drywall screw.
4 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Drywall Screws
1.Length of the drywall screw
2.The gauge of the drywall screw
3.Thread of the drywall screw
4.Drywall screw head points
1. Length of the Drywall Screw
The length of the drywall screws can range from 1 to 8 inches. The most common thicknesses are ½, ⅝, and ¾ inches.
.For ½ drywall, you’ll need 1-¼ inch screws.
.For ⅝ drywall, you’ll need 1-⅜ screws.
.For ¾ drywall, you’ll need 1-½ screws.
The fundamental reason for this drywall screw length variation is that different building materials vary in thickness, from thin sheet metal to thick four-by-four columns.
The majority of drywall used in residences will be ½ inch thick. While this thickness might vary somewhat, it is usually constant at ½ inches.
Because the walls of garages and furnace rooms are thicker, drywall screws used in these installations may be lengthier than those used in dwellings. The type of drywall used here is type-x drywall, whose thickness is around ⅝ inches.
The drywall used for walls and ceilings can be as thick as ¼ inch. Because of their elasticity, these drywalls are ideal for forming bends.
However, most drywall used in kitchens and bathrooms will be ½ inches thick.
2. The Gauge of the Drywall Screw
The first thing you need to know while shopping for drywall screws is the different gauges available. Here the question is, what is a Gauge?
Gauge is the diameter of the screw. The higher the gauge number, the thicker the screw.
The diameter of the screws is 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14. But, the most common gauges are 6 and 8.
You should be aware that as the gauge number increases, the screw expands in diameter. The weight of the drywall screws will also rise
For instance, a 6 gauge drywall screw is smaller than an 8 drywall screw. Whatever your needs are, explore numerous screws for drywall anchors and select the one that suits you best.
3. Threads of the Drywall Screws
Before you buy drywall screws, make sure to check the thread count. The higher the thread count, the stronger the screw will be.
The type of thread of drywall screws is a crucial factor that influences their functioning. The coarse-thread screw(S-type) and the fine-thread type(W-type) are two main categories of drywall screw thread.
Coarse-thread types apply on drywall and wood stud applications. Because of its broad threads, it is effective in drilling into wood and pulling drywall against studs.
Drywall with Fine Thread Screws self-thread, which allows them to nibble through metal. As a result, they function well with metal and are frequently used to attach drywall to metal studs
Fine-thread drywall screws, on the other hand, do not have a grip on wood as coarse-thread screws on metals.
4. Drywall Screw Head Styles
Phillips flat head screws have a low profile and a countersunk head. Flat head Phillips screw handles by a specific screwdriver and features two partial slots crossed at sharp angles.
One of the primary benefits of the Phillips method is that the nut and screwdriver are self-centering. The x-shaped screwdriver head inserts into a similarly shaped slot in the screw and is secured in place, ensuring that the force is naturally centered and the screw passes straight.
The flat head slotted has a single horizon indentation. The slot has a flat bottom and is suitable for low torque and low-speed applications.
Twelve-point flange head cap screws, often known as 12-point bolts, are a type of hex socket cap screw with a different head design. Because of the 12-point, this model bolt may be tightened with a 12-pointed socket wrench, allowing greater force to be exerted than a typical internal hexagon head cap screw.
Another advantage of 12-point heads is their ability to fit into small areas. The 12 points have a 30′ degree angle between them. It gives the wrench more flexibility while moving the fastener.
Stainless steel screws Vs. Zinc-plated screws
Stainless steel screws are tighter than zinc-plated screws. For instance, a ¼-inch drywall screw will hold up to 150 pounds of weight before it breaks, whereas a zinc-plated 1/4-inch will only hold up to 90 pounds.
Zinc plating protects the steel from corrosion by adding chromium and rust resistance. It means that the metal will not erode over time, but at the same time, it makes the screw more brittle to breaking if you’re using them in wet conditions or near water resources.
How to use a Drywall Screw?
Before you start using drywall screws, there are some things you should know.
First: use a drill to drive the drywall screw into the wall. That is important because it will keep your screw from breaking and make sure that it sticks in place as firmly as possible.
Once the step is complete, use a screwdriver to tighten the drywall screws by turning them counterclockwise until they’re tight enough not to fall out easily.
Another essential tool for installing drywall is a screw gun, which uses a specially designed cutting tip that can grab onto the head of a drywall screw and feed it into the wall or ceiling at enormous speed.
Which Drywall Screw is Best?
Finally, whatever drywall screw you require is determined by the specifications of your task. The primary question is whether the drywall screw is screwing into wood or metal.
You must also consider the drywall thickness and if you have an auto-feed screwdriver. When it comes to drywall screws, there are several solutions available to meet a range of requirements.
Buy Drywall Screws Confidently
Drywall screws make the installation of drywall much easier and quicker, but it can be hard to know what you should buy. We hope this article has helped you know about drywall screws to make an informed purchase of screws.
Drywall screws are a functional and long-lasting tool for almost every project that involves drywall. With this guide on the do’s and don’ts of buying drywall screws, you’ll be able to find the perfect screws that suit your project.