Screw Buying Guide That Helps You Make the Right Decision

A Screw Buying is a short, slender, sharp-pointed metal pin with a raised helical thread around it and a slotted head used to join things together. So that it is used to combine wood or other material, and for this purpose, it is held tightly in place. We can easily adjust and remove them from the material or wood with the help of screwdrivers. They provide secure, tight fastening and help us to join the material of any nature easily. Screws are extremely useful and helpful in construction and many other industries, as these little screws are found everywhere, from tables to big-size Air jets.

So, it’s a big deal to choose the right screw for your wood or other material before buying screw, because there are so many types of screws available in the market, each one designed with different material and surface. You should choose the right screw size; the selection of the screw totally depends on the need of your work. When we choose a thin screw, it is not strong enough, and a thick screw may damage the surface of the material on which it is going to place.

Likewise, a too-long screw can damage the inner surface of the working area and pipework in the walls and floor. Contrary to this, a too-short screw may not be holding the material together for a long time, which means these types of screws are not durable. So, it is very important to take notice of all the points before the selection of the screw.

The parts of the screw

The screws are basically divided into the following parts

the tip of the screw is sharp and made for easily fixing inside the wood, walls, and even the floor.
The screw thread wrap contains metal circles also makes the joint robust enough.
The head of the screw is flat and mostly visible even after fixing the screw in the material.
The tip penetrates the material and is either pointed or flat depending on the screw’s primary.
Drive that is available on the head of the screw and used as the predrilling hole. The screw cuts into the surface like a drill bit which has a split point that is called a Self-tapping screw.

Moreover, the screw thread secures the damage to the material when it drives into it. The screw thread wraps around the shank, which starts right after the head area. However, you can find shanks and threads of various types. Just like the twin-thread screws have two threads along the shank. It can be removable easily and driven faster and also hold material more securely.

Screw head types

When we want to install a screw inside anything, then we have to consider how it looks against the surface, and we can easily select the type of screw if it is going to be visible on the material on the basis of its head type. Here, just take a look at the head types of screws.

Bugle head

Basically, the bugle screws are better for soft materials like drywall, wood as well as moldable metals. Bugle head screws are also somehow similar to countersunk screws. When the head topers are added to the shank, the sides are rounded. Bugle head causes less damage because this puts less pressure on the softer material. These screws are also helpful and widely used in the task of fastening the construction process. However, these types of screws are also best for furniture.

Countersunk Head

Countersunk screws are popular, and these are also termed flat-head screws. This name is given to the screw because of its structure as these are not made in a round or semi-round structure. However, It has a totally flat head. The countersunk head screw is easier to camouflage because the head remains flush with the surface. Countersunk is the most common type of screw head. So, it is one of the types of screw heads that is flat and which tapers down into the sink.

Pan Heads

Pan heads are used when a high level of the task requires, as there is extra space to provide a deep socket for a driver. These are slightly domed on the surface of the material, and their name is derived from an upside-down frying pan, as it looks like that. This type of head is very useful. Basically, the parts of this screw are different from other screws, just like:

It has the domed head
Recessed socket
A flat-bearing surface

All the above-mentioned parts are some common parts that are found in the pan screws.

Buttons Heads

If you want a decorative finish, such as securing a mirror, these types of screws are accurate for this decorative purpose. A button head screw also called a round head screw, sat above the surface and fastened. The rounded head provides a deep socket for a high level of torque. They are well situated to hexagon drive types; therefore, you may also find button head screws in automotive or mechanical projects. However, for these screws, you need a hexagon key for turning.

Key features before buying screw

Length

Length is a very important feature of the screw. It should be the right size for the surface and project also. Otherwise, you would damage the surface by fixing the wrong size screw in the material. Screws which are too long may be harmful to soft material because maybe they would pass the entire wall through the material. Likewise, too short screws are not strong enough, and they cannot hold the material together. So, it is very crucial to define the length of the screw initially before purchasing.

Diameter

Diameter is also the main part of the selection of a screw. The deliciated material may be split when we put a thicker screw then; narrow screws should be used instead. If we use thinner screws in heavy-duty projects, they will be bent out of the shape of the material. Therefore screw manufacturing companies design screws with various diameters. And your workers have an idea about which diameter is suitable for your material. So, take their assistance before purchasing the screws.

Thread Type

All the parts of the screw would be fixed inside the material due to thread type. All and sundry knows that a screw has thread along the tip of the screw to the head. Partially threaded screws are also here; as its shows from their name, it has threads on the part of the screw. When the material is put under more stress and could get damaged, then this thread type is very beneficial. However, it is also required to take advice about the selection of the thread type in this situation.

Color

If you are concerned about the decoration of your material, then color screws are very good for this material. The screws are very clearly visible to the surface; that’s why its a need for colorful screws, and it is the main disadvantage of the screw. From all types of metallic shades to normal colors, these screws are available, which means whether you require them for the furniture or any artistic frame hanging, you can pick them as per your own choice.

Finish of the Material

The finishing of the screw depends on the quality of its material, which shows its color and properties of it. Stainless steel is the best type of screw for outdoor use just because of its resistance to rust and corrosion. However, these screws are a little more expensive than iron-made screws. In addition to this, there are a number of screws; if we segment them into the material like zink and chrome plated screws, black phosphor and brass screws are also resistant to rust and corrosion. Brass screws are softer, so they are less suited to a lot of heavy-duty outdoor projects.

Types of Screws

There are many types of screw types, but we are discussing some types of screws here.

Stainless Steel Screw

Stainless steel screw is naturally rust-proof and resistant to corrosion; therefore, they consider ideal for the outdoor task. They are suitable for hardwood and sheet metal also. Stainless steel screws are commonly used in buildings, construction, renovation, and home improvement. These screws are used for various materials and places. Stainless steel screws are good for decking and roofing. These screws are strong and versatile. Stainless steel screws are suitable for boost and salty environments. They can bear very high and low temperatures.

Wood Screws

These kinds of screws are used in soft and hard materials. Wood materials like MDF and chipboard are used in the wood screws. The thread of this screw buries them into the wood and creates a rotation force, due to which the screws get fixed between wood and other materials. They are stronger than nails. Wood screws are the most popular screws and are also inexpensive. Most wood screws have a Phillips head which offers less torque; therefore, you may want to consider drilling a small pilot hole when you want to drill into hardwood. They have a very sharp tips. You can easily drive into hardwood, softwood, or particle board. Wood screws are easier to install as compared to other screws.

Speciality Screws

Specialty screws, like their name, depicts that they are special and can be used for different requirement of your task. For example, confirmer screws are made for furniture assembling, and likewise whilst a self-countersink screw is best for walls and floors for flat seamless finishing. So, you don’t want to replace regularly fixing when you will choose specialty screws. They come in a wide range of head, thread, and hank types. When we choose the right screw, it causes less damage. Specialty screws are more expensive than the other type of screws, but these are also worth their cost.

Twin Thread Screws

Twin thread is used for softwood, hardwood, and masonry with a wall plug or for fixing plasterboard or fiberboard to timber studs. These are also called double-thread screws, as shown by their name.

This screw is best for the job requiring a lot of driving into the surface. They have two threads running along the shank. These screws can be installed and removed twice as fast as single-thread screw. Twin thread screws provide more robust fastening. These screws have extra benefits, and they are more expensive as compared to a single thread.

Masonry Screws

Masonry screws have a deep and long body. They are made of carbon steel or stainless steel and zinc plated, making them more resistant. We can easily install them on the hardest surface. They are also known as concrete screws. These screws are used for a large variety of materials like brick, concrete, block, and motor joint. Masonry screws are expensive. It has a unique structure that offers extra resistance and security to fix the material. The pilot hole is recommended for making easy installation and to avoid damage to the surface of the screw.

Flooring Screw

Flooring screws are very easy to install. A high level of torque can be applied for a secure fixing due to these screws. So they have a positive drive. They can be used on a wide range of flooring types, also for softwood, hardwood, and fireboard. These screws are easy to discreet on the floor and hardwearing to cope with a lot of foot traffic. There is no need for predrilling for using these screws.

Brass Screw

We can use it for installing doors and putting furniture together. Brass screws are more long-lasting and versatile, which is the reason for their extensive usage in the fixing of furniture. They are suitable for outdoor use. Their natural coloring works well with wooden surfaces. Brass is also an aesthetically pleasing material for screws. Because of their natural rust resistance, they are expensive make sure before screw buying. Brass screws are not made of heavy-duty material. It is a soft metal and should be avoided for use with heavy material. It is more difficult to recycle these screws because they are not eco-conscious.

Electrical Screws

When we want to secure a fix for installing and repairing sockets in residential and commercial buildings, we will use an electrical screw. We can attach faceplates to their back boxes. It is the most common use of electrical screws. Electrical screws are fully threaded; therefore, it provides us strong fix. They are long-lasting and rust resistant and also zinc plated. They have a slotted drive type. It has a flat tip, so it requires pre-drilling. These screws add to the time required if you have a lot of screws installed.

Few words in the end

All the information that is discussed in the above article about screws would facilitate you to get the right screw as per your choice. The right selection of the screw is very imminent before buying screw, and it would let you make the right fixing for the furniture and any other thing that you what to join or fix. So, save your precious mony, time and effort and go for the right screw.