Choosing the Right Screw: A Complete Guide for Every Job

From assembling furniture to roofing a shed or fixing a frame into concrete, screws are one of the most essential components in any toolkit. But with so many types available, how do you know which one is right?

This guide will help both DIYers and professionals understand how to choose the right screw for the job, covering everything from timber and plasterboard to metal and concrete. Whether you’re starting a home project or managing a site installation, the right screw ensures strength, safety and long-term reliability.

How to Choose the Right Screw

Selecting the correct screw isn’t just about size—it’s about matching the screw to the material, load, and conditions. Here are the key considerations:

• Material Compatibility – Different surfaces (wood, metal, plasterboard, etc.) require specific thread patterns, coatings, and point types to ensure grip and avoid damage.

• Load-bearing Capacity – Heavier items like radiators or decking frames need screws that can hold significant weight without shearing or pulling through.

• Screw Head Type – Choose countersunk heads for flush finishes, pan or round heads for surface fixing, and hex heads for high torque applications.

• Drive Type – Philips and Pozidriv are common, but Torx and hex heads reduce cam-out and are preferred for power driving.

Protective Coating – Zinc plating, galvanised finishes, or stainless steel offer resistance to corrosion in humid or outdoor environments.

How to Identify the Right Screw

Before buying, review the key physical features of a screw:

• Length – A screw should be long enough to penetrate both materials it’s joining and hold firmly, usually going at least twice the thickness of the top material.

• Gauge (Diameter) – Thicker screws offer more strength but require proper pilot holes, especially in hardwood or metal.

• Thread Type – Coarse threads are better for soft materials like timber or plasterboard; fine threads work best in dense or hard materials like metal.

Point or Tip – Sharp points work well in timber. Self-drilling points are designed for metal, while blunt tips may be used in pre-drilled holes for furniture or insulation.

Best Screws for Wood

Wood screws are specifically designed to drive into timber, offering strong grip without damaging or splitting the material.

Ideal wood screw types:

• Countersunk Wood Screws – These sit flush with the surface, making them ideal for cabinetry, flooring, and general carpentry. They're often available with a single or twin thread.

• Twin-thread Screws – Provide faster insertion and reduced splitting in softwoods. They’re great for general-purpose timber fixing.

• Coach Screws – Heavily threaded and thick, these are ideal for structural applications like fixing large timber posts, joists or sleepers. Often used with washers to spread load.

  
  

Pre-drilling pilot holes is advised for hardwoods or thick timber to avoid splitting the wood and ensure better control.

Best Screws for Metal

Fixing into or onto metal demands screws capable of cutting into the material without deforming it.

Suitable metal screws include:

• Self-Tapping Screws – These cut their own thread into pre-drilled holes in thin metals and are commonly used in fabrication or enclosure installations.

• Self-Drilling Screws (Tek Screws) – Designed with an integrated drill bit tip, they can pierce and thread through sheet metal without pre-drilling, saving time during installation.

• Hex Head Metal Screws – Provide excellent grip and torque control when used with power drivers. They're widely used in cladding, framing, and steelwork applications.

  
  

Always match the screw material to the metal you're fixing into to prevent galvanic corrosion.

Best Screws for Drywall

Drywall screws are designed for speed and grip without damaging the fragile surface of plasterboard.

Key options:

• Black Phosphate Drywall Screws – These are corrosion-resistant and have a bugle head that prevents paper damage. They're ideal for general drywall fixing to timber or metal studs.

• Fine Thread Screws – Used for securing boards to metal framing. They offer more thread contact per inch, ensuring solid anchoring.

• Coarse Thread Screws – Best for timber studs, providing faster grip in soft material.

  
  

Many come collated for use in auto-feed screwdrivers, ideal for high-volume projects like ceiling or wall installations.

Best Screws for Decking

Decking screws must resist corrosion, blend into the wood, and offer a strong hold under foot traffic and weather exposure.

Recommended types:

• Green or Brown Coated Decking Screws – Specifically designed to blend into pressure-treated wood. The coloured coating also offers corrosion resistance in outdoor conditions.

• Stainless Steel Decking Screws – Provide the best corrosion protection and are recommended in coastal or high-moisture environments.

• Self-Countersinking Screws – These feature ribs under the head that bore into the timber, leaving a flush finish without damaging the surface.

  
  

Decking screws are usually longer (50–75mm) and often come with a sharp point for easy insertion into soft and hardwood.

Best Screws for Roofing

Roofing applications need weatherproof fasteners that create a watertight seal and cope with expansion and contraction.

Common roofing screws:

• Self-Drilling Roofing Screws – Feature a drill point for attaching corrugated steel or metal sheets to timber or steel without the need to pre-drill.

• Hex Head Screws with Washers – Include a bonded EPDM washer that seals against water ingress. These are essential for preventing leaks in roofing installations.

• Bimetal Screws – Offer a stainless steel head with a hardened carbon steel tip, providing excellent corrosion resistance and driving performance.

  
  

Correct installation with torque-controlled drivers is crucial to avoid overtightening and damaging the washer or material.

Best Screws for Plasterboard

Plasterboard screws are tailored for internal dry lining systems where boards are secured to timber or metal studwork.

Options to consider:

• Coarse Thread Screws – Ideal for fixing boards into timber studs. Their aggressive threads provide quick, reliable grip.

• Fine Thread Screws – Better suited to steel stud systems, offering controlled drive and secure hold.

• Collated Screws – Compatible with automatic screw guns for rapid installation, especially in commercial builds.

  
  

Using the correct length is essential—usually 35mm to 45mm—to ensure secure fixing into the supporting stud.

Best Screws for Concrete

Concrete is a tough substrate that requires high-strength screws engineered for dense materials.

Common screw types:

• Concrete Bolts (Masonry Screws) – Allow direct fixing without plugs. They cut into the material for a strong mechanical hold, and are removable and reusable.

• Frame Fixing Screws – Used with plastic plugs, these secure frames or battens into masonry and concrete. Their long shaft and countersunk head ensure flush installation.

• Multi-Fix Screws – No plug needed, designed to cut threads directly into brick, concrete, and block, simplifying installation and saving time.

  
  

Use with an SDS drill and clean out the dust from the hole for optimal grip.

Best Screws for Insulation

Insulation fixings need to avoid compressing or damaging the insulation layer while still securing it reliably to the substrate.

Best types:

• Plastic Insulation Screws – Feature a wide disc or washer-style head to distribute pressure and prevent compression of the insulation.

• Hammer Fix Screws with Caps – Drive directly into concrete or masonry with an integrated plastic cap to maintain insulation performance.

• Adhesive-Based Insulation Fixings – For lightweight internal insulation boards where mechanical fixing is unnecessary or undesirable.

  
  

Always consider the insulation thickness and wall type before selecting a screw.

Best Screws for Furniture Assembly

Furniture requires screws that are easy to use, neat in appearance, and provide strong connections—especially for flat-pack or MDF components.

Ideal furniture screws:

• Confirmat Screws – Designed specifically for chipboard and MDF. Their wide, deep threads provide strong holding power in manufactured board materials.

• Cam and Dowel Systems – Common in flat-pack furniture, these allow components to be locked together from hidden areas, creating a smooth outer finish.

• Spax or General-Purpose Wood Screws – Suitable for basic joinery, particularly where aesthetics or a flush finish aren’t critical.

  
  

Pilot holes are often required in particle board to avoid splitting or crumbling.

Get the Right Fixing Every Time

The right screw doesn’t just hold things together—it protects your work, saves time, and guarantees longevity. Whether you’re securing a decking frame or assembling a wardrobe, knowing which screw to choose is the foundation of every successful job.

At D2D Fixings, we stock a wide range of high-performance screws for every material and application, available in bulk trade quantities or DIY-friendly packs. Our products are sourced from trusted manufacturers, and we offer fast UK delivery and expert advice.

Not sure which screw you need?

Visit our Screws Category or speak to our team for tailored recommendations.