To the untrained eye, 1 screw is as good as another, but those with a tiny more awareness have a improved chance of realising that choosing the right screw for a specific job can mean the difference between a project succeeding and failing.

The industrial and construction sectors have literally hundreds of different types of screws and fasteners to select from; all type suited for a specific usage e.g. lubricated timber decking screws for quicker driving into outdoor decking, self-drilling screws for the convenience of not having to drill pilot holes and even screws that work specifically with the mechanical properties of plastics.

Before you can select the ideal screw for a job you ought think about the characteristics you want in a screw such as:

* Does it need to be rainproof to avoid corrosion from moisture?
* Does the screw head need to be flush with material once it’s screwed into place?
* Does the screw need to be protected from vandalism or unauthorised removal?
* Is the screw to be used in wood, metal or perhaps plastic?
* What length of screw is required?

For different types of material there tends to be a different type of screw. Take the following as examples:

* Wood screws – designed to do ideal in all types of wood including hardwood, MDF and chipboard. Smaller screws have less chance of splitting wood, but if you are using more massive screws and/or working near the end of a piece of wood then it’s often safer to drill a pilot hole first.

* Floor screws – these will cope with the issue of different expansion rates so are ideal used for securing timber or chipboard to steel supports. Made by a process that ensures a hard exterior whilst retaining a tough, flexible core.

* Self-drilling screws – designed for convenience as only a screwdriver is required. These screws drill their own holes and form their own mating threads ensuring the ideal fit in a single attempt.

* Timber decking screws – specially designed to deal with outdoor conditions with durable, protective coatings.

* Frame anchor screws – designed for fixing window and door frames made from PVC-U, wood or aluminium directly to brickwork without the need for plugs or nylon anchors.

A general rule of thumb for determining an proper length of you ought look for a screw length that will grant two-thirds of its length to be embedded into the material being fastened to. So, for example, if you are fastening a 1-inch thick piece of timber to a wooden post then you ought be looking at embedding 2-inches of the screw into the post. That means you would need a screw length of 3-inches.

All good screw suppliers will be capable to advise on the proper screws for your task. The key thing is to appreciate that not all screws are the same and that using the right screw can mean a secure installation, whilst the wrong screw can mean in an accident waiting to happen.

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