Fastener Types
Choose the right type of fastener. This blog covers the most common types with an illustration to help you identify them.
Here you will find a short summary along with head, driver and finish details.
WOOD SCREWS
Screws with a tapered point and may have a smooth unthreaded portion of shank. Primarily used for pulling two pieces of wood together although they can be used in other soft materials.
Head Types: Countersunk, Pan or Roundhead
Driver Types: Pozi or Slotted for Brass only
Finishes: BZP, ZYP, Brass
CUTTER WOOD SCREWS
These have two slots cut into the thread preventing splitting when used close to edges. They have quick and easy penetration with no need for a pilot hole.
Also known as: Reisser Cutter Screws
Head Types: Countersunk with ribs on underside to counterbore
Driver Types: Pozi
Finishes: Yellow Tropicalized
CONCRETE SCREWS
For use in concrete, masonry and brick. They are self tapping and do not require a nylon plug and comply with the 18th Edition BS 7671:2018 IET Wiring Regulations.
Also known as: Concrete Screwbolts or Ankerbolts
Head Types: Countersunk, Pan, Hex Head, Hex Flange Head
Driver Types: Socket or Wrench, Torx Drive
Finishes: Zinc Plated and Clear Passivated
CONCRETE SCREWS WITH CORROSION RESISTANT COATING
For use in concrete, masonry and brick. They are self tapping and do not require a nylon plug and comply with the 18th Edition BS 7671:2018 IET Wiring Regulations.
Also known as: Concrete Screwbolts or Ankerbolts
Head Types: Countersunk, Pan, Hex Flange Head
Driver Types: Phillips, Socket or Wrench
Finishes: Electroplated and Passivated Zinc with blue colour identifier
DRYWALL SCREWS
For Fixing Plasterboard to wooden battens or metal studding.
Also known as: Plasterboard Screws
Head Types: Bugle Head
Driver Types: Phillips
Finishes: Black Phosphate or BZP
CUP SQUARE HEX BOLTS AND NUTS
Mainly used for clamping timber and has a domed head with a square section underneath.
Also known as: Carriage Bolts and Nuts
Head Types: Domed Head
Driver Types: Socket or Wrench
Finishes: Zinc coated and Passivated
COACH SCREWS
Used for fastening metal or timber to timber. Threaded for use in timber they can also be used in masonry with a nylon plug.
Also known as: Lag Bolts
Head Types: Hex Head
Driver Types: Socket or Wrench
Finishes: Zinc plated and Passivated
DOWEL SCREWS
These screws have a Machine thread at one end and a Coach screw head at the other with a section between with flats to take a wrench for tightening. Used in the furniture and glass industries.
Also known as: Hanger Bolts
Head Types: No Head
Driver Types: Hex Allen or Wrench
Finishes: Zinc Plated and Passivated
MACHINE SCREWS
Fully Threaded for use with a nut or in a tapped hole.
Head Types: Countersunk, Pan or Raised Countersunk Head
Driver Types: Pozi or Slotted for Raised Countersunk Head only
Finishes: BZP, Brass or Nickel Plated
COMBI DRIVE TRAY BOLTS AND NUTS
These bolts come with a serrated flange nut and are used for easily joining cable tray sections without the need of washers.
Also known as: Tray Bolts
Head Types: Mushroom Head
Driver Types: Pozi & Slotted Combination
Finishes: BZP
ROOFING BOLTS AND NUTS
Mostly used for joining metal to metal and have a cross slotted mushroom head and square nut.
Also known as: Gutter Bolts
Head Types: Mushroom Head
Driver Types: Slotted or Spanner
Finishes: BZP or Galvanised
SELF-TAPPING SCREWS
Fully threaded and self tapping for use in sheet metal and also soft materials such as plastic and fibreglass. They also provide a measure of resistance to vibration.
Also known as: Sheet Metal Screws
Head Types: Countersunk, Pan or Flange Head
Driver Types: Pozi
Finishes: BZP
SELF-DRILLING SCREWS
Screws with a drill point which not only self taps but removes excess swarf too. Mainly used for sheet metal and cladding.
Also known as: Teks Screws or Tec Screws
Head Types: Countersunk, Pan, Wafer and Hex Washer Head
Driver Types: Pozi or Square Drive or socket for Hex Washer Head
Finishes: BZP
SELF-DRILLING SCREWS WITH BONDED WASHER
These have a bonded washer which provides a weather tight seal. For roofing and cladding applications.
Head Types: Hex Washer Head
Driver Types: Socket or Wrench
Finishes: Hex Washer Head
HEX BOLTS
Partially Threaded for use with a nut or in a tapped hole.
Head Types: Hex Head
Driver Types: Socket or Wrench
Finishes: BZP
HEX SET BOLTS
Fully threaded for use with a nut or in a tapped hole.
Also known as: Hex Set Screws or Hex Screws
Head Types: Hex Head
Driver Types: Socket or Wrench
Finishes: BZP, Galvanised, Stainless Steel and Brass
SOCKET SCREWS
Used in applications where there is limited clearance as they have an internal hex drive.
Head Types: Countersunk, Cap or Button Head
Driver Types: Hex Allen Key
Finishes: BZP, Stainless Steel
TAMPER RESISTANT SCREWS
Screws with a 6 lobe pin recess. They require a specific matching driver to remove. Available as machine or self tapping screws.
Also known as: Security Screws
Head Types: Countersunk or Button Head
Driver Types: 6 Lobe with Pin Hole
Finishes: Stainless Steel
NON REMOVABLE SCREWS
The Pozi driver recess is designed not to turn in an anti-clockwise direction so as they cannot be removed.
Also known as: One way screws
Head Types: Countersunk Head
Driver Types: Pozi – One Way
Finishes: BZP
GRUB SCREWS
These machine screws have no head allowing them to be fully driven into threaded holes.
Also known as: Socket Set Screws
Head Types: No Head
Driver Types: Hex Allen Key
Finishes: Stainless Steel
