Many people are confused about wood screws, drywall screws (wallboard screws), and chipboard screws due to their similarity in appearance, and it is difficult to distinguish between them if they are not used regularly. Choosing the wrong type may bring about lack of strength, material damage or after-sale problems. Then we introduce the differences between them next.
Wood Screws
Wood screws are self-tapping fasteners primarily used for joining solid wood or wooden components. Typically featuring thick screw heads and coarse threads, they deliver substantial torque and tensile strength. Wood screw connections offer high strength and excellent shear resistance, with diverse material options to match various types of wood.
Features
- Deep threads with medium pitch facilitate gripping wood fibers
- Mostly partially threaded
- Common head types: countersunk, pan head, round head, hex head
- Drive types: external hex, Phillips, square drive, star drive
- Typically requires pilot drilling to prevent wood splitting
Key Usage Points
Pre-drilled hole
- Hardwoods (such as oak): Drill holes 0.5-1mm smaller in diameter than the screw.
- Softwoods (such as pine): Drill holes 1-2mm smaller in diameter than the screw.
Torque
- Set the electric screwdriver to low speed (≤400 RPM) to prevent stripping the threads.
- When tightening by hand, maintain a vertical angle to prevent tilting.
Disadvantages
Requires pre-drilling, cumbersome installation
Thick threads can lead to cork cracking
May loosen with long-term use
Applications
- Wooden Material Joining: Furniture assembly (tables, chairs, cabinets), timber frame construction (mortise-and-tenon reinforcement).
- Soft Material Fixing: MDF, chipboard (pre-drilling required to prevent cracking).
- Decorative Applications: Wooden crafts, picture frame installation (countersunk design conceals screw heads).
Drywall Screws
Drywall screws are specifically designed for gypsum board systems and serve as standardized fasteners in the North American and European construction markets.
Drywall screws, also known as wallboard screws. They come in two types: double-threaded fine-pitch drywall screws and single-threaded coarse-pitch drywall screws. The biggest difference between the two is that the former has double threads, while the latter has single-threaded coarse-pitch threads. The latter has wider threads and a faster tapping speed.
Double-threaded fine-pitch drywall screws are suitable for connecting drywall to metal joists with a thickness not exceeding 0.8mm. Single-threaded coarse-pitch drywall screws are suitable for connecting drywall to wooden joists.
Black phosphated screws are the most common type on the market, but blue-white zinc-coated screws are also available.
Over 80% of drywall screw demand is concentrated on the 3.5*25 specification. Since they are primarily used for gypsum board, which has uniform thickness.
Features
- Fine pitch (for steel keel) or coarse pitch (for wooden keel).
- Sharp self-tapping end for quick penetration.
- Mostly countersunk Phillips head.
- Surface typically phosphated black.
- Quick installation, no pre-drilling required.
- Fine threads offer good crack resistance.
Key Usage Points
- No need to pre-drill holes: the tip of the drill tail is drawn directly through the plasterboard (thickness ≤15mm).
- Gypsum board fixing: Nail head embedded in the surface 0.5-1mm to avoid bulging.
- Light steel keel connection: enter the keel ≥10mm after penetrating the gypsum board.
- Rust prevention treatment: galvanized drywall nails are required for wet environment (e.g. bathroom) to prevent rusting.
Disadvantages
Suitable only for brittle materials.
The head is prone to stripping; tightening force must be controlled.
Prone to corrosion in humid environments.
Applications
- Gypsum board fixing: ceiling, partition wall (such as light steel keel + gypsum board system).
- Thin metal connection: color steel plate, aluminum buckle plate (strong penetrating power of drill tail pulling tip).
- Electrician wiring: wire channel, bottom box fixing (fine pitch thread to prevent gypsum board from cracking).
Chipboard Screws
Chipboard screws are fasteners specifically optimized for brittle materials such as particleboard, MDF, and HDF.
Chipboard screws are a heat-treated product and are suitable for the installation of power tools. It is mainly used for connection fastening between wood boards and between wood boards and thin steel plates. To a large extent, it can replace the use of ordinary wood screws (wood screws are not heat-treated).
Chipboard screws can be divided into fine and coarse teeth, suitable for all kinds of wood, is the best helper for all kinds of DIY furniture , on the wood (including chipboard / Density Board / High Density Board / solid wood) can be very good locking, at present a lot of in lieu of the use of wood screws, the threads are sharper.
Features
- More refined thread design reduces the risk of plate breakage.
- Deep thread profile reduces installation torque.
- Counterhead or small pan head design.
- Mostly uses Pozi Drive or Torx drive.
- Emphasis on stability rather than simple biting force.
Applications
- High-End Custom Furniture
- Display Cabinets, Commercial Furniture
- Precision Wood Components
Screw Quick Comparison Chart
| Characteristics | Wood Screws | Drywall Screws | Chipboard Screws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, carbon steel (zinc plated/blue-white zinc plated) | Carbon steel (color zinc/black zinc plated) | Carbon Steel (Color Zinc) |
| Thread Type | Coarse threads (large pitch, e.g. 2.5 mm) | Fine threads (small pitch, e.g. 1.2 mm) | Deep threads, special angles |
| Screw Tail | Self-tapping tail tip (tapered for easy cutting into wood) | Drill tip (twist drill shape, quickly penetrates drywall). | Sharp tapered tail |
| Head Shape | Countersunk head/Countersunk/Hex head | Phosphating | Most countersunk designs |
| Size Range | Diameter 3-8mm, length 25-200mm | Diameter 3.5-6.3mm, length 25-75mm | Diameter 3-6mm, length 10-70mm. |
| Feature | Strength and pull-out resistance | Installation efficiency | Nail grip, blast edge |
| Application | Solid wood, wood construction, furniture | Gypsum board, partition walls, suspended ceilings | MDF, chipboard, panel furniture |
What Can We Offer You?
As a specialized fastener export supplier, we provide global customers with:
- Wood screws, drywall screws, and chipboard screws in multiple specifications.
- OEM/ODM customization services.
- Compliance with DIN/ANSI/ISO standards.
- Reliable delivery schedules and bulk supply capabilities.
📩 Contact us for samples, technical advice, or the latest quotations—start every project by choosing the right screw.
