If you’re installing drywall, you’re most likely using drywall screws. Since they’re what’s holding your drywall on, you probably want to know which are the best screws to use.
The top of the list goes to Jake Sales Gray Phosphate Drywall Screws because they are a good price for exactly what you need for the majority of your drywalling projects. They’re standard #6, Philip’s head drywall screws with a bugle shape and phosphorous coated so that drywall compound will adhere.
Now, there are several things to consider when you’re choosing the best drywall screws for your projects. This article discusses how to choose the right screws for your product, some of the best screws for different projects, and some tips on using your screws effectively.
What Makes a Good Drywall Screw?
The drywall screws you find at the hardware store are generally Phillip’s head and will not vary considerably by brand, but there are some important things to look for. Not all kinds of drywall and all projects call for the same type of screws. It’s important to pick screws meant for the precise application you’re using them for. Here are some things to consider:
Metal or Wood Framing?
These two applications call for different types of drywall screws. To attach drywall to wood studs, you want coarse-thread drywall screws – this ensures a tight grip on the wood. If you’re installing drywall to metal studs, you need fine-thread drywall screws threads that make it easy to attach the drywall.
Screw Length
Most drywall you will be hanging will be standard 1/2 inch drywall and possible 5/8 inch drywall on ceilings and garages.
Related: What’s the best drywall for a garage?
Thicker drywall is used on ceilings to prevent sagging and in areas where fire safety is a concern. When attaching drywall to wood studs, screws only need to penetrate 5/8-inch into the stud.
So take the drywall thickness and add 5/8inch to determine if the screw is long enough. 1 1/4 inch screws are adequate for both standard 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch drywall. You can use either 1 1/4-inch or 1 5/8-inch drywall screws; it won’t hurt but doesn’t add any extra hold. Longer screws also take longer to attach and cost more. Buy the shortest screws that get the job done.
What are you using to attach the screws?
This matters if you’ve got a screwgun with a collator attachment and you want to use the collator feature. These screws are more expensive, and some brands only accept brand-specific collated screws.
Style of drywall screw heads.
When driving in drywall screws, you want the perfect sink, leaving just the smallest divet in the drywall surface. A Bugle head screw creates its own counter sinkhole. If it’s sunk correctly, you can scrape a knife across the surface without a click or hearing the drywall screws.
Drywall Screw Gauges
Thicker diameter screws just cost more and are not more effective. #6 screws are the most common amongst professional and casual drywall installers, but #8 screws also work. Always check your drywall screw sizes – both the gauge and length to make sure you have an appropriate and cost-effective option. The cost can add up fast when you’re talking about thousands of screws for a big project.
Related: What size screw for drywall?
The Best Reviewed Drywall Screws
Here are some of the best drywall screws on the market right now.
Jake Sales Gray Phosphate Drywall Screws
- Phosphate Coarse Thread Drywall screws designed for drywall, gypsum board, sheetrock, plasterboard
- Drywall screws AKA sheetrock screws, plasterboard screws, Multipurpose Phillips head wood screws
- Drywall screws can be used as all purpose screws or wood screws: good for medium duty wood screw use
Do you need a lot of screws? This package of 8,000 should be a good start. They’re inexpensive, and they get the job done. Like any good drywall screw, it’s self-tapping with a phosphate coating that makes mud adhesion easy—a great price for a good product.
Get these if you need plenty of screws, and you’ve got other projects that call for wood screws.
Features:
- #2 Phillips head
- Diameter: #6
- Length: 1 1/4 Inches
- Coarse Threaded
- Black Phosphate Coated For Mud Adhesion
- Bugle Head
- Fine Tipped
SNUG Fasteners (SNG433) 275 Qty #6 x 1-1/4″ Sheetrock Drywall Screws
- Black phosphate finish that offers better corrosion resistance than the commonly produced black oxide
- Coarse threads to secure gypsum board to studs
- Phillips Head #2 Drive
These get great reviews for their overall quality – they don’t splinter or strip out. They also come in a nice reusable plastic tub, so if you’re not using a ton and need something for storing these SNUG fasteners, make it a snap. They are your standard-sized self-tapping bugle heads for drywall. You’ll get an easy and clean finish.
Get these screws if you don’t need a ton and like the idea of easy storage for the rest.
Features:
- Black Phosphate Finish
- Coarse Threads
- Phillips Head #2 Drive
- Diameter: #6
- Length: 1 1/4 inches
- Head Type: Bugle Head
- 1 Lb
- Multi-Use
- 5-year warranty
IMScrews 100pcs #6×1-1/4″ Flat Head Phillips Drywall Screws Fine
- Good Tools for Good Works, IMSCREWS Fix Your Home
- Diameter: #6 | Length:1-1/4 inches | Head Type: Bugle Phillips
- Made of Carbon Steel 1022A, provides strength and offers good corrosion resistance in many environments.
These for metal framing, with a sharp point and fine thread. Slightly more expensive than the wood framing versions, this is a good, standard drywall screw for attaching drywall to metal framing. It is not recommended for woodworking or drywall on wood studs.
Get these screws if you’re working with metal framing.
Features:
- Multi-Use
- Diameter: #6
- Length:1-1/4 inches
- Head Type: Bugle
- Philip’s Head
- Carbon Steel
- Comes in an IMScrews Plastic Bag For Easy Storage.
Prime-Line MPSC7841-100 Drywall Screws
- Constructed of hardened steel to provide durable and lasting usage
- Drywall screws like these come finished in a rust resistant, black phosphate coating
- Designed for use with a variety of projects, to fasten multiple materials together
This is a multi-purpose fastener you can use anywhere at home. They’re the right length and diameter for any drywall project. Countersinking might be a little tougher with a flat head.
Get these if you have a patch job.
Features:
- Multi-use
- Diameter: #6 x 1-1/4 inches
- Length: 1 1/4 inches
- Black Phosphate Finish
- Head Type: Flat Head
- Sharp easy-start points
- Philps Head
Qualihome #6 Coarse Thread Sharp Point Drywall Screw
- Recommended by Professional Contractors, builders and DIY homeowners
- For attaching drywall to wood studs, wood to wood and more, Can be ideal for your home, office, or workplace
- Black coarse thread, sharp point, Sturdy cardboard box, Phillips drive flat head, durable strong metal steel screws
Everything you need in a good drywall screw. These weren’t at the very top of the list because they’re ever so slightly more expensive than similar brands.
Features:
- Multi-Use
- Steel
- Diameter: #6
- Length: 1 1/4 Inches
- Head Type: Bugle Head
When you’re picking out drywall screws, not every screw is made the same. You will need quite specific screws for attaching drywall, depending on the thickness of the drywall and the material of the frame.
Drywall Nails vs. Drywall Screws.
Sometimes nails are still used first to secure drywall to the frame, and then screws are used to fill in. Nails are less expensive than screws but have a lot of downsides. Drywall nails will secure your drywall and pass inspection, but they take a lot more work to use. That’s a big deal if you’ve got a lot of drywall to hang. They’re also harder to get to the right depth. If you smash a nail in too far and break the drywall paper, you’ll have to use another nail.
No matter the size of the project, it’s recommended you use screw attachments. You can’t use nails to secure drywall to a metal frame, and it’s much harder to install ceiling drywall with nails. If you insist on using nails, make sure they’re ring-shank nails at least 1 1/4 inches long. These nails have ridges along the shank that grip the wood studs and ho.d the drywall panels firm.
Related: Can you use fine thread drywall screws for wood?
Sinking Screws
Countersinking screws properly is one of the trickiest parts of drywall installations. Drywall is composed of a powdery gypsum core surrounded by thin paper. The paper is what gives the drywall its strength. When you’re driving screws, the screw head should be pressing on the surface of the paper, holding the drywall to wall studs.
If drywall screws aren’t deep enough, you’ll get ‘clickers.’ You can tell the screw isn’t sunk deep enough if you run a trowel or drywall knife over the sheet of drywall and hear a ‘click’ when you hit a screw. You will have to screw them in a little deeper before you try to finish the wall, or they will be visible through the paint.
If you drive screws too deep, you’ll puncture the paper and compromise the strength of the drywall. You will need to add an additional screw to the right depth. You can back the too-deep screw out of the drywall and fill the hole or leave it and mud over it. The point is – that screw is no longer functioning to hold the drywall onto the studs.
Power drills
Cordless drills and impact drivers can be fitted with screw setters or ‘dimplers’ to drive drywall screws to the appropriate depth.
These tools are drill bits fitted with cones that stop the screw at a certain depth. They can be adjustable depth or fixed depth just for drywall. At the very least, you should get a cheap drill bit attachment like this DEWALT DW2014 Drywall Screw Setter Bit Tip. These work well on any standard drywall screw with Philip’s head.
Drywall Screwguns
Electric Drywall screw guns are specialty tools that drive drywall screws to an exact depth. They do quick work of attaching drywall, and drywall contractors use these almost exclusively. You don’t need a dedicated drywall screwgun, and they can be kind of an investment for a tool you can only use for installing drywall, but for quick, professional-level results, you may want to consider it.
You use the same 1 1/4 inch drywall screws with a drywall screw gun. Some screw guns have collator attachments that require collated screws. These are more expensive than loose screws, which is something you should take into account.
How Many Screws?
You’ll need to think about the number of screws you’ll need for your drywall project. A shortcut is to use one screw for every square foot of drywall you’re installing, and of course, add some extra for mistakes and lost screws.
Typically for drywall on walls, you want a screw every 8 inches along the edge of the drywall panels and every 16 inches in the field.
For ceilings, drywall sheets need more screws, every 7-8 inches along edges and every 12 inches in the field. Always refer to your local building code before you start so you are putting in the correct number of screws.
FAQ
Can I Use Wood Screws on Drywall?
You can use wood screws that are at least 1 1/4 inches. The phosphate coating on drywall screws allows mud to adhere, so you’ll find a metal non-coated screw may cause chipping after awhile. Wood screws are also often flat heads instead of bugles, making them harder to countersink.
Can I Use Nails to Install Drywall?
Drywall fasteners can be standard drywall screws or nails. They’ll both pass inspection, but you will have a much harder time fastening with only nails, especially in the ceiling. Any money you save with nails is going to get negated with the extra time and mistakes. If you do use nails, use ring shank nails at least 1 1/4 inch.
Why are my Screws Popping?
Screw pops happen for many reasons. One is that you haven’t sunk screws properly, and they are too deep or much too high. If they’re too deep, it’s no longer holding the drywall tight and will pop out. If it’s too shallow, it also doesn’t have a good grip. It could be a case that the framing is shifting due to extreme weather changes.
Further reading: Why do drywall screws sometimes pop out?
Can I Use Drywall Screws for Anything Else?
Yes, screws for drywall can be used as wood screws. You will probably only find them in black/dark grey, so if that’s not an issue for you – use these screws for general-purpose wood screws. The only issue you might face is the bugle shape will lay on the surface.
Can I Use Square Head Screws in Drywall?
Yes. Though the majority of drywall screws are #2 Philip’s head., Any screw that’s the right length and coarse threaded (for wood framing) and thin threaded screws or metal framing can be used. Anything other than a Philips’s head will make it harder to find a screw setter if you’re using a power drill or impact driver. Of course, if you’re working with someone else, and they have to inspect or finish after you’ve hung the drywall, they’ll be expecting Phillip’s head, so do them a favor, so they don’t have to carry around miscellaneous bits.