Types of Screws
The screw, characterized by a helical threading around a long shaft, is the most common fastener in the world. When two or more solid objects need to be joined, you can bet that screws will likely be used. They offer an easy and effective solution for joining solid objects. While all screws feature a helical threading around a shaft, screws are not all the same. In fact, there are six common types of screws: wood, machine, lag, sheet metal, twinfast, and security screws. This blog will discuss each type and its unique distinctions.
Wood screws are perhaps the most common type of screw. They are not made from wood, but their name comes from the fact that they are used to connect two or more wooden objects. Screws of this type feature a sharp point that is able to dig into wood, meaning they are highly useful for woodworking applications. Machine screws, as their name implies, are screws used in machining applications. There is a broad range of types of machine screws, such as stove bolts. Machine screws are used to hold heavy-duty metal objects together. With diameters reaching 0.75 inches, machine screws are larger than almost all other types of screws.
Lag screws, while less common than other types, are still among the most frequently used types of screws. Sometimes called lag bolts or coach bolts, lag screws are similar to wood screws, but are coated with zinc and much larger. The layer of zinc is added to protect the screw from rust or corrosion and is typically applied by electroplating or hot-dip galvanization. Sheet metal screws are specifically designed to be inserted into sheet metal. Though they are primarily used in sheet metal, they can still be used for materials such as wood and others. Screws of this type feature threading all the way up to the shank, allowing them to more easily dig into the surface of the sheet metal substrate.
The next type of screw is the twinfast screw. These screws feature a unique design with two threads rather than one. Because of this double threading, they are able to be driven into objects twice as quickly as traditional screws. They are very commonly used in drywall, though twinfast screws have many used beyond the installation and hanging of drywall. Lastly is the security screw. Security screws are designed to be resistant to removal and tampering. Unlike other common types of screws, security screws do not have an operable head that can be reversed to remove the screw. Instead, they require a specialized tool such as a spanner or square driver to be removed. This makes them an ideal choice for applications in which screw security is highly important.
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