Understanding and correctly choosing drywall screws is crucial for wholesalers and suppliers of building materials, as it affects the speed of construction, the cost of the project, and even the final quality of the building.
However, with the numerous categories and coatings on the market and the uneven quality, how can you ensure that you can choose the most cost-effective drywall screws? This guide will give you a simple and clear answer to both meet the building standards and meet the ultimate needs of customers.
1.What is A Drywall Screw And Features
Drywall screws are a type of screw specifically used to fix gypsum boards to wooden structures or metal keels. Therefore, they are also called gypsum board screws. They are made of high-carbon steel C1022. The design of its bugle head can ensure that the gypsum board fits firmly while reducing the risk of cracking or loosening. They are essential fasteners in construction and home decoration.
2.Drywall Screw Types : What Builders & Distributors Need to Know
To help builders and suppliers choose the right drywall screws for different applications, here are the most common types and applications based on thread design and tip style.
Types By Thread
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Fine-Thread Drywall Screws (S-Type), The spacing between threads is small, and the number of threads is 30%-50% more than that of coarse threads, which reduces stress concentration on thin steel keels and avoids metal cracking or deformation. Fine threads can provide more uniform bite force and prevent screws from spinning in the metal.suitable for locking plaster and thin steel keels
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Coarse-Thread Drywall Screws (W-Type)，The thread design is a wider and deeper spiral pattern, which is more firmly fixed on the cork with better bite force and improved holding force. It is suitable for fixing gypsum board to wooden keel or wooden frame.
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Hi-Low Thread (Dual-Pitch)，The high-low thread alternating structure has a higher grip than ordinary screws and is faster to install. It is suitable for mixed material frames (such as wooden structures + local metal reinforcements) and can avoid frequent changes in screw types.
Types By Tip
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Self tapping drywall Screw,Its unique self-tapping tip can quickly penetrate metal light steel keels with a thickness of 0.5-1.2mm or wooden frames without pre-drilling, increasing installation speed by 30%-50%.
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Self drilling drywall Screw,Integrated drill bit design, drill bit is usually #3 for metal frame with thickness of 0.8-1.2mm, #4 for metal with thickness of 1.0-1.5mm, can directly penetrate metal keel without pre-drilling
3.Avoid Costly Mistakes：choose the right drywall screw
(1).Choose according to the installation material
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Steel Stud:
When installing gypsum board to metal keel, please choose Fine Thread self tapping drywall screws. The sharp point can quickly drill the material, and the dense thread prevents slipping on thin steel plates.If you need to fix metal frames or thicker metal plates, please choose self drilling drywall screw. This screw can easily drill through metal without pre-drilling.
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Wood Stud:
When installing gypsum board to wooden keels, please choose coarse thread drywall screws, which have deeper threads and stronger grip, and are suitable for soft wood such as pine and fir, and are not easy to loosen.
(2).Choose according to the use environment
- Dry environment (bedroom, living room)
Black drywall Screw：The surface of the screw can be treated with black or gray phosphating to achieve general anti-corrosion and anti-rust effects.
- Wet environments (bathrooms, kitchens, basements)
Galvanized drywall screws or nickel-plated drywall screws,These two have better anti-corrosion and anti-rust effects, but the cost of nickel plating is much higher than that of galvanizing. Generally, galvanizing is recommended. If the environment is special, nickel plating with better effects can be selected.
(3).Choose according to the thickness of the material
The dimensions of a screw and the length of drywall screw need to be selected based on the thickness of the installation material.
|
Screw Diameter |
Size in MM |
Applicant |
|
#6 |
3.5 |
Most commonly used, suitable for most residential gypsum board installations |
|
#7 |
3.9 |
Commercial projects or thicker gypsum boards (5/8") |
|
#8 |
4.2 |
High-load areas (such as ceilings, soundproof walls) |
- Drywall screw length selection
Screw length ≥ gypsum board thickness + minimum frame bite depth (recommended ≥12mm)
|
Gypsum Board Thickness |
Screw length |
Application |
|
1/4-inch |
1inch(25MM) |
Thin gypsum board and 0.5 light steel keel |
|
1/2"（12.7mm） |
1-1/4"（32mm） |
Residential partition walls, ordinary indoor ceilings |
|
5/8"（15.9mm） |
1-5/8"（41mm） |
Commercial engineering, fire/soundproof walls |
|
Double layer gypsum board |
2" (50mm) or longer |
Wet areas or areas requiring higher stability |
|
Wood studs |
1-1/4"（32mm） |
Wooden frame fixing |
4.Choose according to construction efficiency
For installation speed requirements, choose Hi-Low double-pitch thread to reduce driving resistance and increase speed by 20%.For thick metal, choose self drilling drywall screw to directly penetrate the metal, eliminating the drilling step。For universal materials, wood/metal compatible, choose Fine Thread
5.Stock recommendations:
- Common models: #6 black phosphate coating (accounting for 60%)
- Profit models: galvanized self tapping screw (accounting for 30%)
- High-end models: nickel-plated #7 (accounting for 10%)
we hope this guide will help you make smart purchasing decisions quickly and enhance your ability to provide professional guidance to downstream customers. Understanding these characteristics can also help customers choose the right products and reduce returns and construction problems. Let Sinsun optimize your project - contact our experts for custom drywall screw solutions that meet your exact requirements
Post time: Apr-29-2025