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What is a Drywall Screw?

By B. Turner
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 23,525
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Drywall is a type of building material made from gypsum and other minerals pressed between sheets of heavy paper. It is installed on walls and ceilings using a type of fastener known as a drywall screw. This fastener can be used to secure the drywall to either wood or metal framing members, and is designed to minimize dimpling on the face of the walls. Traditional nails tend to leave small holes in or divots in the drywall, and can even come loose over time. Drywall screws are threaded to grip both the drywall and the framing members tightly, and provide a much more secure and long-lasting installation over time.

In a typical installation, a drywall screw is placed into each sheet every 16 inches (40.6 cm) on center. This 16-inch increment represents the center of each framing member, or stud. After all the screws have been installed, the walls are finished using joint compound. The joint compound is spread over both the screw holes and the joints between each sheet. Once the compound dries, the walls can be sanded smooth and painted.

The primary benefit offered by drywall screws is their countersunk heads. This means that the entire screw lies flush with the surface of the sheet, creating a smooth and even finish. The countersunk head also helps prevent the drywall screw from breaking the paper surface, a common problem with nails.

There are two basic types of drywall screw for installers to choose from. Type “W” units, or wood screws, have wide, coarse threads. They are used for wood framed buildings, where their coarse threading helps them to securely grip the wood. Type “S” screws are designed for use with steel framing members. They have a sharp, notched head that can easily penetrate the steel framing, as well as fine threads that are designed to pass through the steel.

Drywall screws are a type of self-tapping fastener, which means that there is no need to pre-drill holes. These screws almost always have a Phillips head rather than a slotted head, which provides additional control for installers. Instead of a standard drill, installers use a tool known as a drywall dimpler, which has an adjustable nose to install a drywall screw without tearing the paper on each sheet.

A standard drywall screw can be readily identified by its black finish. This black coloring comes from a phosphate mineral coating that is applied to these screws. This coating helps to minimize rusting and corrosion as the screws are exposed to wet joint compound or paint.

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Discussion Comments
By mobilian33 — On Dec 14, 2014

@Feryll - Why do you want to replace the plaster walls with drywall. Even if the job is not too complicated, patching the existing plaster wall will be much simpler. This way you won't have to worry about drywall screws or nails.

Also, you need to take in to consideration how difficult it will be to remove the plaster wall. It is really a mess, and you don't know what problems you might run into when you start replacing walls. If I were you, I would just get a compound to fill in the cracks and then sand that and repaint the walls.

Plaster walls are harder than drywall, and plaster walls are also better at dulling sound than the drywall, so this another thing you might want to consider before making the decision to put up new falls.

By Drentel — On Dec 13, 2014

@Feryll - Putting in drywall screws using a drywall screw drill is no more difficult that pounding in nails with a hammer. Just make sure you get everything lined up properly and then be sure to get the joint compound on thickly enough.

Actually, many non-professionals do a sloppy job on the sanding and this can show a bit when the paint goes on. And by the way, this is not a one person job. Get at least one person to help you hang the drywall. You'll need someone to hold it in place while you secure the screws.

By Feryll — On Dec 12, 2014

I'm doing a lot of work on our old house. The walls are plaster and some of them have a few cracks. I'm thinking about replacing the plaster walls with drywall rather than patching the old plaster. Has anyone out there put up drywall as a do-it-yourself project at home? it seems to me that hanging the drywall would not be particularly difficult using a good drywall screw gun.

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