Wood screws and drywall screws are not as interchangeable as they look
Use each screw in the designated material—wood screws for wood and drywall screws for drywall.
Drywall screws aren’t strong enough to hang anything heavy in wood.
Wood screws can damage drywall, making them less than ideal.
If you have a large collection of wood screws, you may wonder if you can use them in drywall. After all, it would be easier than going out and buying another box of screws for a project. While the short answer is yes, this guide goes over several reasons why you should avoid using wood screws in drywall.
Even though there are several differences between drywall and wood screws, can you use wood screws to fasten objects like shelves, pictures, or television mounts to drywall? Put simply, you should not use wood screws on your drywall.
Drywall screws fasten drywall panels to wood or metal studs, and wood screws hold two pieces of wood together. Using wood screws for your drywall project could cause damage to your walls and other structures. In addition, using the wrong screw can lead to aesthetic concerns like cracks, bulging, and sagging in your drywall that could compromise the appearance of your finished project.
Even if you turn to different types of drywall anchors to add more stability, you could still end up damaging your drywall by driving in the wrong screw. Talk to a drywall contractor who can get the job done with the right screws and without sacrificing the clean look of your walls.
Screws all look similar, so it’s easy to assume that they can all do the same job. However, the differences between wood and drywall screws go further than their intended uses. They have distinctive variations in their design and shape.
| Wood Screws | Drywall Screws |
|---|---|
| Coarse thread for a firm grip in wood | Fine thread for a firm grip in metal or wood studs with less damage to drywall |
| Sharp point, but requires a predrilled pilot hole | Sharp point drives into drywall without needing a pilot hole |
| Flat heads provide a smoother finish in wood | Bugle-shaped head prevents the screw from tearing the drywall |
| Decorative finishes for a unique appearance in wood projects | Plain finish is concealed with paint or joint compound |
The sentiment of ‘use the right tools for the job’ includes your screws. Drywall screws are designed specifically for drywall, and wood screws are designed specifically for wood. Even having expert knowledge of how to hang drywall wouldn’t change the fact that using the wrong screws can be detrimental to your project.
Drywall consists of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of thick paper or fiberglass. Manufacturers use different coatings to make it resistant to sound, fire, mold, or moisture. Its paper-based construction makes drywall lighter than other materials but can also make it more fragile.
The coarser threads on wood screws have a stronger hold in wood. However, that same strength can be detrimental in drywall—shredding the material as you drive the screw into a stud.
Drywall screws also have a sharper point, allowing them to penetrate the drywall more easily than a wood screw. Think about cutting a steak with a butter knife instead of a steak knife to get an idea of the difference between the point of a wood screw and a drywall screw.
The bugle-shaped heads on drywall screws help prevent over-driving and stripping, which occur when you drill a screw too far into a surface. You can also conceal them with a joint compound. Wood screws have flat heads that come much closer to the surface you drive them into. Attempting to cover them may result in unsightly lumps in your wall.
Using wood screws in drywall could result in a weaker hold on whatever you’ve fastened, leading to sagging drywall. If you’re going into metal studs, you could also damage wood screws since they aren’t reinforced for use in metal. So, if you want to avoid having to break out the tools for drywall repair, it’s best to use drywall screws for your projects.
Of course, the inverse question also comes up: Can you use drywall screws for your projects that involve wood fastening? The answer is yes, but there are conditions. Namely, you need to ensure that your drywall screws have a coarse enough thread for the thickness of the wood you’re using.
Drywall screws have a finer thread to avoid damaging drywall. However, this thread may not be coarse enough to grip the wood you’re using. Without a firm hold on the wood, you could end up putting excessive pressure on the screws or cause them to rip their way free from their mounting.
Wood screws tend to be thicker and made of softer metals like stainless steel, zinc-plated steel, and silicon bronze. Drywood screws, on the other hand, use case-hardened steel or phosphate-coated steel in their construction. These materials are more brittle, meaning it’s easier to snap a drywall screw when you place one under too much pressure.
Whether working with wood or drywall, using the appropriate tools is vital for a completed project you can be proud of. Bringing in a local handyperson can remove stress from your next project and empower you to make the best possible decisions for your home.
