A novice’s guide to choosing the right screw

If you’ve never bought screws before, you’d be surprised at how complex it can be.

Multi-use? Buggle baton? Galvanised?

We’ve put together a handy guide for screw-buying novices, so you can trust that you’re buying the right screw for the job.

Recessed screw heads

What is the best screw for your DIY project?

Treated pine screws

These screws are used specifically for treated pine. They have a special coating that protects the screws from chemicals within the pine and also feature a non-slip point.

The main benefit of using a treated pine a screw is the flush finish, as it leaves your furniture or project surfaces smooth and clean.

Decking screws

Decking screws usually come in two sizes – 50mm for drilling hardwood joists and 65mm for treated pine joists.

Decking screws

To avoid splitting the timber it’s important to pre-drill and countersink your decking first. Your screw heads need be perfectly level with or below the surface of the timber so your deck is safe for everyday use.

Self-drilling screws

Self-drilling screws are exactly what they sound like.

They drill and tie in the same motion, which means you don’t need to pre-drill a hole for the screw to go in. You can just drill the screw straight in, which saves both time and labour.

Buggle baton screws

Like treated pine screws, buggle batons also provide protection against the chemicals in pine. They have a ribbed, countersunk head and are sharp with a non-slip point.

Buggle batons provide protection against the chemicals in pine.

They’re perfect for fixing treated pine timber, outdoor fences and other areas exposed to the elements.

Plasterboard screws

Plasterboard screws have a bugle head, which stops the surface of the plasterboard from tearing during drilling.

Most plasterboard screws will have a low-grade galvanised finish because plasterboard is an interior building material. This means screws won’t need to have corrosives protection the way tougher-wearing, high-grade galvanised exterior screws do.

Multi-use screws

Multi-use screws come with a variety of different heads including button, bugle and pan-head. These screws are generally used for fitting thin sheet metal to timber or steel – for example, fixing a sign to a fence.

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How to choose the right screw finish

Most of the screw designs we’ve outlined above will come in a variety of finishes. The finish of the screw is usually determined by where you are going to use the screw. For example indoors, outdoors, highly corrosive areas or areas with heavy annual rainfall.

Zinc plate or gold passivated

(Interior screws)

These types of screws have a thin protective coating and aren’t as hard wearing as other kinds of screws, so they’re used primarily for indoor use or protected undercover outdoor areas.

Zinc plated screws

They’re not generally suitable for use with treated pine or areas directly exposed to the elements.

Galvanised

(Exterior screws)

Galvanised screws have a tougher coating than zinc plate screws and are therefore great for outdoor use, or for use in areas exposed to the elements.

Galvanised screws have a tougher coating than zinc plate screws and are great for outdoor use.

You can get galvanised screws in a few different grades, ranging from outdoor to severe corrosive areas.

Stainless steel

Mainly used for outdoor areas and can handle mild marine, urban and rural environments.

Stainless screws also come in different grades ranging from mild outdoor to extreme marine environments including saltwater coastlines or underwater environments.

This article was originally published on 25 Jun 2014 at 7:00am but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.