Construction Screws vs Wood Screws: What’s the Difference?

Just like nails, screws are praised for their effectiveness, ease of use, and reliability. There are dozens of options available on the market, but most contractors and DIY fans prefer to use wood and construction/structural screws. They have proven to be durable and easy to get. The question still stands, though—which fasteners do you pick for your new project?

Do you go with the more affordable wood screws or put your faith in the bigger and stronger construction screws? What are the pros and cons of these fasteners? How do you know which screws offer the best bang for the buck? And finally, what do these screws have in common? We’ve got all the answers right here! Make yourself comfortable, and let’s set the record straight!

Construction Screws

Most people know what wood screws look like. The same can’t be said about construction screws, though. Also known as structural, multi-purpose, or even exterior wood screws, these fasteners are strong, durable, and praised for making long-lasting connections. So, what’s the best application(s) for such a screw? Will you need expensive tools and equipment to use it? Here’s a detailed breakdown!

Key Properties and Characteristics

Longer and larger than the average screw, these are specifically designed and manufactured to handle heavy loads and high pressure. That’s exactly why structural screws are often used in construction these days, especially on large-scale projects. Now, to the naked eye, construction screws are almost identical to regular screws. However, if you take a closer look, you’ll see that they are, indeed, slightly bigger.

More importantly, since they’re mostly used outdoors, construction screws are crafted from copper and stainless steel. Or, at the very least, they have an extra layer of coating for protection against rust/corrosion. Most manufacturers provide a 10-year guarantee against rust. As a bonus, these fasteners are heat-treated for extra efficiency. That makes structural screws a go-to choice for humid, rainy, and even dusty areas.

Are Construction Screws Easy to Use?

The fact that structural/multi-purpose screws are bigger and stronger than the average screws doesn’t mean they’re any harder to use. While this is required for some fasteners, these screws don’t need any pre-drilled pilot holes. They go in very easily, thanks to the sharp edge and the threads. Oh, and in contrast to popular belief, not every single construction screw out there is fully threaded.

Some variations even have fewer threads than wood screws. Still, most construction screws do have extended threads. Does that mean they take more effort to drive into a wall? If you’re using an impact driver, you won’t notice any difference. These screws are available with hex, spider, and Torx heads, and variety is always a big pro.

The Best Uses for a Construction Screw

In construction, it’s not that rare for heavy loads to damage and even break regular screws. That’s why construction/structural screws were invented. Thanks to the thicker threads, they are significantly better at holding heavy boards together compared to wood screws. Plus, as mentioned, they are either crafted from resistant materials or coated to withstand natural elements.

As for the biggest brands of construction screws, we’ve got FastenMaster and Spax. GRK is also quite popular, but these screws are not that easy to obtain (and they’re expensive).

Wood Screws

These are the most popular types of screws on the market. In fact, wood screws are more commonly used for woodworking than nails. When shopping at a hardware store, you’ll be surprised by the variety of shapes, sizes, and gauges. But, at their core, all wood screws are the same. They are cheap, widely available, and have a decent holding strength. How efficient are they, though? What’s the best use for these fasteners? Let’s talk about that next!

Key Properties and Characteristics

Wood screws are usually relatively short (only 3–4-inches long) and their shafts aren’t fully threaded. When not sure what length is right for your project, pick a screw that can reach at least 2/3 of the wood board’s thickness. As for the diameter, it ranges from 1/16 inches to 5/16 inches. And what about the most common size? It’s the one with a 5/32-inch diameter (known as the #8 wood screw).

The golden standard for these screws is a tapered head, semi-threaded shaft (60–70% thread, 30–40% shank), and a pointy tip. Now, the main job of a wood screw is to join wood together. And the partially threaded design makes it incredibly efficient in woodworking applications. It creates a strong bond while not causing significant damage to the individual wood pieces.

Are Wood Screws Easy to Use?

Yes, wood screws are largely known as user-friendly and straightforward. As long as you’ve got a screwdriver, drill, or driver, it shouldn’t be hard to drive them in. Wood screws aren’t only self-tapping but also self-drilling. What that means in practice is that you won’t have to make a pilot hole with a drill bit before going in with the screw. That saves a lot of time when working on big projects.

In the US, the most common wood screws come with the Phillips heads. They take little effort to drive into wood. Robertson (square) and star heads are also available but not as popular. Do remember, though, that no matter which option you go with, the heads won’t be easy to hide unless you paint/finish them.

The Best Uses for a Wood Screw

If you’re working on a DIY project in your garage or backyard, wood screws will be the best pick. As the name suggests, these screws are manufactured with wood in mind (lumber and plywood, for example). As long as you get the right length and gauge (ask for it online or at a local store when not 100% sure), they will do a great job of holding two regular-sized pieces of wood together. Also, make sure to get the right type of threading for the job.

We’re talking about fine and coarse threads. Coarse threads work best on plywood and softwood, while fine threads excel at keeping hardwoods together. Chairs, tables, wood fences, and cabinetry—that’s what wood screws specialize in. With that said, you shouldn’t really use wood screws on anything else than wood unless you don’t have another fastener handy. Most likely, you’ll end up ruining the head and damaging the metal sheet.

What Do Construction and Wood Screws Have in Common?

In many ways, these fasteners are quite similar. The concept is the same: we’re not dealing with bolts or nails here. Wood screws have a pointy edge, a thread, and a shank with a head at the top. This is also true for structural screws. As mentioned earlier, to a person that only uses screws occasionally they will look very much alike. Another thing that they have in common: both fasteners are a great choice for woodworking.

And you’ll be using the same tools for driving them in, including drills, impact drivers, and good old screwdrivers. Since there are no nuts or washers involved, it’s much easier to store wood and structural screws. Just make sure not to put them all in one box, as they’ll get mixed up. Last, but not least, while construction screws are bigger and stronger, they’re only good for wood. They can pierce through metal and concrete but won’t be able to hold anything for long.

Which Screws Cost More? How Big is the Price Difference?

Construction screws are the more expensive option. You could say that they’re the “big brother” to the cheaper, less durable wood screws. If you’re working on a heavy-load project and put safety and longevity first, structural screws will be a great investment. So, how much should you expect to pay for a set of these screws? It depends on the manufacturer, the diameter, length, thread count, shape of the screws, and even the area that you live in.

On average, you can get wood screws for $0.1–$0.2 each. Sometimes, they’re sold in weight (like 1–10 pounds). As for construction screws, expect the price to be 40–50% higher (or more). Yes, the price gap is quite significant, but, since a wood screw can never be as effective and reliable in heavy-duty projects as a construction screw, the somewhat steep price is more than justified. A quick note: in many stores, if you buy screws in bulk, that will give you a nice discount.

What is the Right Option for You?

It all comes down to the thickness, weight, and specifics of the wood material that you’re working with. If it’s your average DIY project (like building a raised bed, fence, or, let’s say, fixing something in the garage), wood screws will be more than enough. At the same time, when dealing with heavy hardwood and you know that the screws will be under pressure and high loads, we would recommend paying a bit extra for a set of structural screws.

Again, these screws aren’t that different from each other. Both are quite reliable, easy to use, and can penetrate wood easily. Still, construction screws are more resistant to natural elements and have a higher holding strength. If that’s exactly what you’re looking for in a pack of screws, these will definitely be the right option for you. If not, wood screws will do just fine.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the right screws for a new project, there’s more than enough to pick from. The tricky part is to actually find that one screw type that fits your DIY beginnings best. Today, we took a look at some of the most commonly used screws—the wood and construction/structural screws. As always, it all comes down to what you’re looking for. If it’s a cheap, easy-to-work-with fastener, go with wood screws.

And if you need all the holding strength and durability you can get, construction screws will do a far better job. Choose wisely, and good luck with your project!

• See also: Grub Screw vs. Set Screw: What Are They? And Are They Different?

Featured Image Credit: byrev, Pixabay