Wood Screws

Wood Screws

Wood screws, sometimes referred to as "construction screws" or "production screws," are screws with sharp and robust points and threads designed for wood to wood applications. With large cutting threads and a smooth shank near the head, wood screws cut threads into the wood and slide through the top piece of wood, pulling it firmly against the board beneath. These screws come with a sharp point designed to penetrate the hardest woods and manmade materials such as particleboard or composite. In some instances, they have a self-drilling point, which is a notch cut out of the screw to allow chipping to occur.

Wood screws are commonly made in zinc plated steel and stainless steel, although they are available in brass and silicon bronze. They usually require a pre-drilled hole to avoid splitting or cracking the installation wood, especially in hardwood or near edges. Wood screws come in various sizes and are easy to remove without causing damage to the materials. Wood screws can provide excellent retention in wood, particleboard, and composite materials.

Strength of Wood Screws

Wood screws are used to attach wood to wood or attach objects to wood. They make fastening easy and have a much higher grip strength compared to nails, creating a much stronger connection between the fastened workpieces.

Not sure what material you need? Check out our Material Guide to find the right material for your needs!

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FAQs

What screw is best for wood?

Any Wood Screw can fasten wood together. Which screw specifically will depend on your application and preference. Some may prefer Phillips drive over square drive, or their application needs a head that is flush with the wood, or you need a screw that can resist corrosion. All of these factors, and more, play a part in determining the right screw for your job!

How are wood screws any different?

Wood screws have unique sharp points and threading designed to penetrate wood, often with an unthreaded shank under the head, making them ideal for fastening pieces of wood or similar materials together. These features make them distinct from the visually alike Sheet Metal Screws, which have tighter threading and have no unthreaded shank to better grip softer metals.

Can I use drywall screws for wood?

You could. Drywall screws tend to be a more inexpensive option, and they drive in quickly, without the need for pre-drilled holes. However, they tend to be much more brittle than wood screws and may snap if subjected to high drive forces. If you are going to use drywall screws, we would recommend only using them for softer woods and to avoid any potential knots in the lumber.

What are the sizes of wood screws?

Wood screws have a wide range of sizes. We offer screws from size #0 through size #18 in multiple different materials for different applications. Even larger if you want to use lag bolts, which can go up to 3/4" in diameter. Refer to a given wood screw to see what sizes we have available for that screw.

Why won't screws go all the way in?

There are a few reasons why that could be happening. The screw could be too long and is hitting a more rigid material it can't penetrate behind the piece of lumber you are fastening. Or you may be fastening into a knot in the wood. Knots in wood are like scar tissue and are much tougher to drill through. Drilling into a knot can quickly stop a wood screw, or even break it if you're not careful. If you need help with your application, contact our support line at 866-573-0445 or email us through our contact form