FASTENERS 101™
Screw FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Screws
Screws are threaded fasteners that hold themselves in materials once installed and do not require a nut or washer.
Each type is engineered for specific materials or applications, with variations in head, drive, and point styles for practicality or aesthetics, creating endless possibilities.
Set screws are screws with no head designed to sit flush with an installation surface.
No, screws have a sharp point and hold themselves in material, while bolts need a tapped hole or nut. Terms are often swapped interchangeably.
Allen key screws are commonly called socket cap screws or socket head screws.
Neither is universally better; it depends on the task; screws for strength, nails for speed.
You can buy screws right on our website.
A lag screw is installed by drilling a pilot hole into wood and then driving it in with a socket or wrench.
Anchor screws are used with an expanding anchor; place the anchor in the hole and drive the screw into it.
Screws can be reused if the drive recess and threading are undamaged. Stainless Steel screws can often be reused as they are corrosion resistant and can withstand the test of time.
Screws are fasteners, often called hardware; fasteners are used with or in hardware.
It depends on the material; some screws are magnetic, some are not.
Screws are measured by diameter, thread pitch, and length.
Screws exert pressure for holding power; pre-drill a hole to prevent splitting.
Zinc plating provides a protective coating and sacrificial barrier to prevent rust on steel.
Torx drives have 6 contact points, offering superior resistance to stripping.
Lag screws are thicker screws that provide excellent retention in wood.
Pressure buildup, vibration, or material expansion/contraction can cause screws to loosen over time.
Yes, screws will hold in MDF. It's best to use wood screws in MDF.
Different heads (e.g., flat, oval, pan, hex) serve aesthetic or functional purposes, like sitting flush or externally.
Yes, but typically with plastic anchors or drywall-specific screws.
Yes, if sized correctly to prevent binding or breaking.
Yes, if a pilot hole isn’t drilled beforehand.
Yes, depending on the material and environmental conditions.
Yes, screws will hold in OSB.
Yes, if their coating is damaged, rusting occurs more quickly.
Not recommended; joist nails are preferred, though screws may be used.
Yes, sheet metal screws and self-drilling screws can penetrate metal.
No, screws need rotation for threads to grip; hammering damages them.
No screw is immune; choose materials like stainless steel based on the environment. 316 Stainless is the most resistant to rust.
They are plastic screw anchors that expand when a screw is driven into them.
Use bugle head drywall screws for retention without damaging the surface.
Tapcon screws are ideal for brick and other masonry.
The ridges are called threading.
Deck screws, a variation of wood screws, are ideal for decking.
Wood screws and lag screws provide excellent retention in wood.
Sheet metal screws have cutting threads; drive them into thin metals or wood until the head is flush.
Use a bit matching the drive style and size of the deck screw; size varies by screw diameter.
A cap screw is a screw driven by an Allen wrench.
High-strength screws like Grade 8 or stainless steel are among the strongest, ideal for heavy loads.
Use the correct driver size, apply steady pressure, and avoid over-tightening.
Yes, if made from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or coated steel.
Self-drilling or sheet metal screws with a sharp point are best for metal.
Use a rubber band for grip, a screw extractor, or carefully drill it out.
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Screw Diagram
