Small and strong, fasteners have been around for a lot longer than you’d think, screws especially. It all starts back in the first century B.C when wooden screws were used in the making of wine and olive oil. Metal screws came about in the 15th century and they were nothing short of big and quite rare too.
It wasn’t until the late 1800s and early 1900s that screws started to be sued more and more which was what led to different types to be made as well as to their standardisation in the 1870s. Nowadays screws are found everywhere, from our smallest pocket computers to the largest ships and machinery.
Types of Screws by Design
Pan
The design of screws, especially the head is what differentiates them but it also determines where they can be used. For instance, a pan head screw that has a flat bearing surface right under the head is one of a few screw designs found online that are used in high-torque settings.
Oval
Another similar screw to a pan head screw is an oval screw which also has a round head. The raised head of an oval screw is made to be used in countersunk holes as it allows for the screw to sit flush with the surface you’re fastening it in.
Flat
A flat-head screw also has a countersunk design but it doesn’t have a raised decorative head. You can have it sit flush with the surface it’s used on without making the hole beforehand. They can be concealed with press-fit cover caps or adhesive.
Hex
With a hex head screw you get a six-sided head that allows you to use the screw on lag bolts and heavy-duty applications. You need a socket or a wrench in order to fasten and remove a hex head screw.
Washer
A washer may be a different type of fastening hardware but there is also a washer head screw that comes with a washer as part of its design. This is what makes a washer head screw common in furniture making as well as for pocket hole joinery.
Truss
If you want a pan head screw that has a larger bearing surface then you should buy truss screws. Also known as mushroom head screws, truss head screws can also be used in decorative applications, they just have shorter threads.
Trim
Trim or finish head screws have the smallest head on a screw. This may not provide the best holding force but it does make for the most concealable screw you’ll ever come across.
Philips
A screw with a Philips drive is often called a Phillips screw which is a type of flat-head screw that doesn’t cam out as easily. You can use it with power tools because of its simple yet extremely useful drive design.
Slot
A slot drive screw is made to be the simplest and most affordable and that’s what it is. When it comes to jewellery pieces, you should buy slot drive screws.
Square
With a square drive, you get an even lower risk of cam out than what you do with a Phillips drive screw. Also known as Robertson drive screws, these have a square recess with a slight taper to it that makes it easy to use them.
Types of Screws by Material
Masonry
There are screws for sale that are made to attach either wood or metal to masonry materials such as concrete, brick and mortar. These screws found online are commonly used for outdoor applications but can be found used indoors especially when it comes to attaching wooden plates to a concrete foundation.
Wood
As you’d expect wood screws are best used to attach wooden pieces together. If you are a DIYer you can attest to the usability of these screws for sale as they can easily join multiple workpieces together. Wood screws can have both folly or semi-threaded shafts and come with a sharp tip.
Drywall
Working with drywall requires the use of such screws which are able to attach panels to wall studs. You may use other types of screws for this but know that drywall screws are going to provide the safest way of attaching drywall even when it comes to metal studs.
Decking
When you want to attach deck boards to joists you are best off using decking screws. A decking screw has a flat head that is made for countersinking. You can easily paint over them without worrying about the screws sticking out since they won’t budge no matter what.
MDF
Medium-density fibreboard is tougher than wood which is why wood screws just wouldn’t work with it. MDF screws for sale are specially made fasteners that you can drill pilot holes on MDF and, of course, attach the material to any other material.
Sheet Metal
A sheet metal screw is able to secure any kind of material to a sheet of metal. As long as you use the correct thread you can secure wood, plastic and even other metal pieces.
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