Fine thread drywall screws are designed for fastening drywall to light-gauge metal studs. Their closely spaced threads grip metal surfaces effectively. Coarse thread screws are built for fastening drywall to wood studs, offering a faster and stronger grip in wood fibers.
Collated drywall screws are held together on a plastic strip. When used with an auto-feed screw gun, they enable rapid, continuous fastening without the need to load screws individually by hand, reducing labor time and fatigue.
Self-tapping (or drill-point) drywall screws should be used when attaching drywall to heavy-gauge metal studs. The specialized tip acts as a drill bit, creating its own pilot hole to penetrate hard metal surfaces smoothly.
As a general rule, the screw should penetrate at least 15-20mm into the underlying wood framing or metal studs. For standard 12.5mm (1/2 inch) plasterboard, a screw length of 32mm (1-1/4 inches) is commonly recommended.
Drywall screws typically feature a black phosphate or zinc coating that offers basic corrosion protection during indoor construction. For high-humidity environments, like bathrooms or outdoor installations, choose stainless steel or specialized rust-resistant coated screws.