Screws
Screws are threaded fasteners used to hold materials together, usually by biting into timber, plugs, sheet goods, or metal.
Common things to choose:
- Material: match the screw to the environment, such as zinc plated for dry indoor use or stainless steel for outdoor/wet areas.
- Head type: countersunk heads sit flush; pan or round heads sit proud.
- Drive type: Pozi, Phillips, Torx, and hex drives need the matching bit to avoid cam-out and damaged heads.
- Thread type: coarse threads suit timber and softer materials; fine threads suit metal or denser materials.
- Length: use enough length to get a strong bite into the fixing material without breaking through the far side.
- Pilot hole: drill one when working near an edge, using hardwood, or using larger screws.
Useful reference: