Which screw should I use?

I highly recommend using premium or multi-purpose screws, such as Spax, GRK or Hillman. Get flat headed screws, the ones with the tapered heads for countersinking. If you can, use square or star drives. They work better and will save you a lot of frustration.

Furthermore, what type of screws are strongest?

The best screw materials for resistance to rust and corrosion are silicon bronze and stainless steel. (Brass screws, shown second from left, also work outdoors, but will tarnish and aren't as strong as silicon bronze.)

One may also ask, how do I know what size screw I need? How to Determine Screw Size & Thread Count

Lay the screw down on a flat surface.
Place a steel rule down the axis of the screw.
Count the number of thread gaps within 1 inch of the screw.
Divide the count of thread gaps into the length.
Place the screw on a flat surface.
Lay a steel rule between two screw threads and measure across the diameter.

Also know, what size screws should I use for framing?

The most common screw for joining two-by-fours is hardened steel, structural, No. 9, 2 1/2 inches long with a Phillips head. Other screw types appropriate for studs are specialized and may be harder to find and more expensive.

What are spax screws?

The Spax® Advantage SPAX® Multi-purpose Construction Screws and PowerLags® are engineered with “better” in mind. Their patented thread technology provides unmatched versatility, drive performance, and requires no pre-drilling – so you can get professional results faster, easier, and more efficiently than ever.

27 Related Question Answers Found

How far should a screw go into a stud?

When you have a stud

The most secure way to hang a coat hook, wine rack, picture or another type of wall art is to attach a screw to a stud. Studs are pieces of wood beneath drywall that act as the wall's frame. Most structures have vertical studs spaced 16 inches apart. You can also find some that run horizontally.

How long should a 2x4 screw be?

A 2x4 is 1-1/2 inches x 3-1/2 inches. If you're joining them face to face, that's 3 inches thick. A 3 inch long construction screw is ideal, but if you sink the screw head below the surface too far, the tip will blow out the other side.

Are longer screws stronger?

The Rules. 1] When it comes to screws, simpler is better. 2] When in doubt, use a longer screw. The extra length can help make up for a less than perfect pilot hole and boost grip.

What is the most common screw size?

The most common size is #8 (approximately 5/32-inch in diameter), but the appropriate size of screw will depend on your individual project.

What is a number 8 screw?

US Machine Screw Diameters

Size	Thread Diameter
Size	Decimal	Nearest Fractional
#8	0.16"	5/32"
#10	0.19"	3/16"
#12	0.21"	7/32"

Are deck screws strong?

Deck screws are similar to the wood screws, and you will easily confuse the two. The biggest difference is the fact that they have a larger surface area. This will give you a greater capacity to bear load. Decking screws are made of coated steel or copper, which makes them corrosion-resistant.

Is it OK to use screws for framing?

2. Nails are often preferred for structural joining, including framing walls, because they are more flexible under pressure, whereas screws can snap. Nails are also called upon when securing plywood sheathing for exterior walls, installing hardwood floors, and attaching siding and roofing.

Can I use screws in joist hangers?

Outdoors use 16d double-dipped galvanized nails (or stainless steel when called for) for installing hangers. The manufacturers agree: Never use galvanized deck screws or drywall screws to install joist hangers. Those screws don't have the shank size and toughness to support joist loads.

What screws to use for wood studs?

Coarse-thread drywall screws work best for most applications involving drywall and wood studs. The wide threads are good at gripping into the wood and pulling the drywall against the studs.

What is a framing screw?

Product Details. The SDWS Framing screw is designed and load-rated for replacing 16d, 10d and 8d nails in framing applications. The SDWS Framing screw is 0.160" in diameter and superior to nails in holding power and pull-out resistance.

How long should a fence screw be?

Fastener length

Whether you choose to use screws or nails, the length is crucial to the success of your fence. To attach preassembled panels or backer rails to posts, we recommend 18d to 20d nails or 3-1/2 in. to 4 in. long screws.

Are deck screws structural?

Your normal wood screws are not structural. Standard screws are brittle. If you take a normal screw and drive it part way in and whack it with a hammer, it will snap. However, on one deck I built last year I used a ton of structural screws.

What screws to use for shelves?

For heavy loads we'd recommend 38 mm or 50 mm screws as these have a strong fixing and don't need wall plugs. The screws should be the heaviest gauge that the holes in the bracket will take. This is usually a 4 mm gauge on small brackets and 5 mm or 5.5 mm on larger ones.

What is stronger 4x4 or 2 2x4?

Now, I knew two 2x4s sistered would be stronger than a 4x4 since you have opposing grains, what I didn't realize is that 4x4s are actually cut from the core of the tree which is the weakest part of the tree (thanks Dad for the lesson in lumber). So a standard 4x4 is actually much weaker than two 2x4s side by side.

Is a #8 or #10 screw bigger?

Machine screws are often found in sizes of: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14—the larger the number, the larger the screw.

How do I measure a screw size?

Length is measured from the point at which the head sits flat with the surface, to the tip of the threads. Hex, pan, truss, button, socket cap, and round head screws are measured from right under the head to the end of the threads. Flat head screws are measured from the top of the head to the tip of the threads.

How do you determine the size of a wood screw?

So the length of a flat head wood screw is measured from the tip to the top of the head, but the length of a round head screw is measured from the tip to the bottom of the head. In the common wood screw the thread extends 2/3rds of the length of the screw.