The Best Screws for Every Material

There is an eye-watering number of screws available on the market. The screws category on our site contains well over 100 products, covering everything from coach screws to wood screws. So, how do you decide what to pick up for your job?

Whether you’re doing a bit of DIY or embarking on a large professional project, here’s a rundown of some of the best screw types for every material. And, with fast delivery and great trade prices on all of our range, you can get everything you need for the job right here at Fastbuild.

How to Choose the Right Screw

While the humble screw is one of the oldest tools in the box, each comes with unique features suited to different tasks and, crucially, different materials. A screw that goes into a metal stud wall needs different qualities from one that’s going into outdoor decking, for example.

Here are some key features that differentiate screws that you might want to consider when choosing:

• Material: Screws come in various materials to provide different strengths, while finishes such as zinc help prevent corrosion in outdoor uses.
• Head: Various heads offer different benefits, from speed of installation to a flush finish.
• Thread size: Fine threads and coarse threads offer better control and speed in harder and softer materials, respectively.
• Tip: Some screws come with self-drilling tips for smoother entry, while wood screws tend to come with sharper tips to avoid splitting.

The Best Screws for Different Materials

Here is a quick run-down of some of the most popular screws when working with different popular materials. Of course, no material is screwed on its own, so there are often multiple choices depending on the exact nature of the job and what you’re screwing into.

Read on below for a longer explanation of the best screws for each material.

What are the Best Screws for Plasterboard

These screws need to be particularly specialist, given the fragile nature of plasterboard compared to many other materials. Most plasterboard screws are black phosphate-coated, which makes them very strong and corrosion-resistant, especially in the changing temperatures and humidity of indoor spaces.

When trying to fasten plasterboard, such as when building a partition wall, the main consideration is what material you’re screwing into:

• Coarse-Thread Drywall Screws are great for screwing into wooden studs.
• Fine-Thread Drywall screws are preferred for metal studs.

If you’re wondering about the best screws to use when fastening other items to plasterboard, such as shelving, read our guide to the best plasterboard fixings.

What are the Best Screws for Brick?

Screws designed especially for brick come in different shapes and sizes depending on the strength required. Generally, they are self-tapping screws designed not to cause any unnecessary expansion to ensure their threads can dig in and create a strong hold.

Many concrete screws can be installed directly into masonry without wall plugs when used correctly. They are also corrosion-resistant as they tend to be used outdoors.

The most popular screws for brick tend to be known as concrete or masonry screws. There are a few different styles, such as tapcons, but they all tend to have full threads for quick drilling and a secure hold.

For more information, read our complete guide to concrete screws.

What is the Best Screw for Wood?

Woodscrews are some of the most varied on the market. Unlike masonry and concrete, which react in largely the same way, various hard and softwoods can have very different features that require different screws, and that’s before you consider artificial alternatives such as MDFs.

If you’re looking for screws for simple wood projects, such as joinery and furniture, then you can’t go far wrong with a countersunk wood screw. This is a common design made to suit a range of wood-to-wood fixings, featuring a sharp tip and coarse threads designed to protect the wood. They are commonly manufactured from zinc-plated steel, carbon steel or stainless steel, depending on the application and level of corrosion resistance required. The countersunk head ensures a flush finish.

For more options for other styles of woodwork, read our full guide to the right screws for timber.

The Best Screw For Decking, Sheds & Outdoor Wood Projects

If you need woodscrews for structural outdoor projects, you need to make sure they’ve been especially treated for long-term outdoor use. Not only can metal screws corrode in adverse weather, but wood can also expand and contract in adverse conditions, so the screws need to be especially strong.

Decking screws are specifically designed for screwing decking boards. They’re often coated or made with carbon steel and feature deeper threads and sharper points to help drill through the thicker boards.

Screws for other outdoor projects, such as sheds, often require the same features. Look for galvanised or carbon steel wood screws that are designed to avoid corrosion, plus sharp tips to protect the wood without the need for pre-drilling.

We hope this guide helps you find the right screws for your needs. Of course, there are many more materials and jobs out there that we haven’t covered, and if you have any questions about our range, you can always contact us.

Many of our screws are in categories to make it easier than ever to find the right tool for your needs, so browse our screws today to find the right fit for your project.