How do I know what screws are best to buy?

Familiarising yourself with the different screw types, their strengths, their purpose, and the best ways to drill them can prevent you from being confused. The right screw is the one designed for the type of material or job that it is being used for. The most prevalent screws used in projects are wood screws, sheet metal screws, concrete screws, deck screws, drywall screws, flooring screws, and particle board screws. Let's consolidate the world of screws into a few key types. They are broadly classified based on their functionality here to get you started.

Wood Screws

True to their name, it works wonders for fastening wood pieces together. Wood fibers can be nasty as you drill into them. That's why a wood screw has an unthreaded shank below the screw head to close the wood fibers.

Sheet Metal Screws

They are designed for fastening thin metal sheets in roofing, automobiles, and HVAC (energy conduction) equipment. Pre-drilling isn't required since they have pointed tips to cut through metal.

Concrete Screws

Also known as masonry screws, they work wonders as attachments for various materials on concrete or brick surfaces. A blue or silver coating on them makes them corrosion-resistant in damp environments. Using them with plastic or lead anchors can deliver much-needed strength and stability.

Deck Screws

Deck screws are primarily used for attaching decking boards, fences, outdoor staircases, or furniture. Pre-drilling a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw head diameter can ensure a clean installation. They also have a corrosion-resistant coating.

Drywall Screws

These screws are the best for gypsum drywall, plaster, or wallboards. They can be bought with coarse or fine screw threads, making them suitable for securely gripping wall studs made of wood or metal. You must ensure that you have the correct screw length so that they securely hold as much material as needed. To secure them firmly, you can also use furring strips below the screw head.

Flooring Screws

If you hear squeaky floors, perhaps the screws selected aren't the right size. These are the long-lasting members of the screw family. Their threads are coarser for strong grips. They work well with all kinds of flooring, including hardwood, laminate, engineered, and plywood.

Particle Board Screws

They work incredibly for fastening particle boards in furniture construction, and cabinetry. These screws are tailored to provide a secure connection without damaging or splitting the relatively soft particleboard material. The screw heads are flush to countersink into the surface and prevent over-tightening.

While you may have seen a few more types of screws of different material types and shapes, the above can get you started and ask the right questions.