Screws are very common in life, but do you know how many types there are?

Types of screws and their uses are part of the basic knowledge base. Screws are the humble objects that hold the world together. Well, maybe not the world, but definitely one of the many common items you use in your everyday life, screws to hold benches together, cabinets for food, and that lovely family photo you hang on the wall .

All screws are made for the same purpose, but they are not all created equal. Different types of screws serve different purposes, and when you go into a hardware store, there are tons of different screws to choose from. It is important to know the main types of these screws and their uses so that when the time comes you know which screw to use for a particular application.

wood screw

It's not called a wood screw because it's wood, but this type of screw is used for... wood. They are usually made of brass, steel or bronze and are only used when working with wood. Their sharp points and thick threads make them easy to distinguish from other types.

drywall screws

Drywall panels are secured to the wall with drywall screws. There are two types, Type W screws to attach panels to wood and Type S screws to attach panels to metal.

Self-tapping screws

Generally, it refers to pointed, coarse-toothed, and hard wood screws, as well as aluminum alloy and plastic screws. Self-tapping screws do not require pre-drilling. These can be used on wood, drywall or metal panels.

Sheet Metal Screws

Sheet metal screws can be used in many different scenarios where plywood, rubber, plastic or metal need to be joined together. They come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the material you use.

masonry screws

They are also called "anchor bolts" and can be easily distinguished from other screws because they do not have a point. Pre-drilled holes are a must here.

MDF screws

They are very commonly used in crown molding of homes and their replacements, and in the construction of bookcases and shelves. MDF stands for Medium Density Fibreboard.

floor screws

Deck screws are used to hold the exterior deck and deck floor together. They are designed for countersinking, which is when the head of the screw is at or below the level of the wood surface.

set screw

These may also be called stud screws because they have threads on both ends. They have no head, but a blunt midpoint between the two lines. They must be inserted into pre-drilled pilot holes.

mirror screw

These are specially designed to mount the mirror on the wall without any other fixings. They feature countersunk heads and stylish caps.

Particleboard Screws

Also known as twinfast screws, these are usually only used for cardboard. They feature two other screws on the pitch, for a thread drive to easily drive them into the cardboard.