Consider what material the plasterboard will be attached to, as different screws are suitable for different materials. For example, there are drywall to heavy steel screws, drywall to light steel screws, and drywall to wood screws.

Roofing screws are designed for attaching sheet metal to steel or wood as well as for other general exterior construction tasks. But they can also be used on internal jobs. The flanged (or washered) type of heads have a built-in washer that’s designed to reduce vibrations and stop the screws from loosening. And there are self-drilling and timber varieties available.Point: the end of the screw that’s first driven into the material when a rotational force is applied.

Self-tapping and drilling screws are available in steel, carbon steel, and stainless steel. Gauge sizes range from 3.5 to 6.3mm, and lengths range from 12 to 120mm. Self-tapping screws are screws that create their own thread as they are driven into a material, ensuring a strong, tight fit. They are best used in soft materials such as softwoods and plastic. A pilot hole that’s slightly smaller in diameter needs to be pre-drilled before fitting. Woodscrews are available in a range of materials such as carbon steel, hardened steel, zinc, stainless steel and solid brass. Brass is usually chosen for its appearance when combined with brass ironmongery such as hinges and door handles. Stainless steel is ideal for areas exposed to moisture, and carbon and hardened steel can be fitted without needing pre-drilled holes. In addition, all wood screw materials have high levels of corrosion resistance. They are available in gauge sizes ranging from 3 to 8mm and lengths from 12 to 300mm.

Solution

A huge selection is available for a wide range of applications. They can be classified by the type of material they’re made from, such as brass, stainless steel, carbon steel, etc., their size (diameter and length) and the different screw head types, drive types and thread types. Before buying screws, consider the type of project you need them for. Although some are designed for multipurpose use, others are more specialised and are designed for specific applications. Using the right type for the job will ensure they can take the load and stay securely in place. When choosing the thread, consider the density of the timber. It’s best to use fine threads for hard timber and coarse threads for soft timber. If you are joining sheet metal to steel, choose self-drilling screws. But if you are joining sheet metal to wood, use timber roofing screws with a sharp point.