How many types of screws are there? While there are hundreds of screw drives designed, this guide will cover what screws are and the most common screw type designs. If you are looking for types of screws capable of drilling tough materials, you may want to read our guide to find drill bits for hardened steel. What do Screws do?

A flathead screwdriver, also called a slotted screwdriver, is a tool with a wedge-shaped flat tip that is designed to fit into the notch on a slotted screw. These tools can come in various sizes and lengths, including oversized flathead screwdrivers that are useful in automotive work, standard-size screwdrivers for furniture construction, and precision flathead screwdrivers that are suitable for working on computers and other delicate electronics. Flange screws are sometimes referred to as frame screws. The head of these screws can vary from circular to hexed, and it juts out from a circular flange directly underneath the head. Bugle heads are commonly found in drywall screws, and the head design automatically compresses the drywall paper and plaster as it is installed, creating its own countersunk hole.Countersunk designs mainly consist of flat, oval and bugle heads. Unless the material is very soft, flat and oval heads require a countersunk hole. The advantage is that little or no part of the head protrudes beyond the surface of the material. If you are using flat heads screws in finish work, consider using a flat head screw cover (also known as a "beauty cap") to hide the head (not all drive styles will accept screw covers). Made of plastic, these caps are available in standard colors that match commonly used plastic laminates and wood. Bugle heads are commonly found in drywall screws, and the head design automatically compresses the drywall paper and gypsum as it is installed thus forming its own countersunk hole. Similar to flathead screwdrivers, there are a wide range of sizes and lengths for Phillips screwdrivers and they also come in both manually driven and electric options. While Phillips screwdrivers do provide better control and driving power, the tip can still slip out of the screw head if it is driven with too much force. Go slow to ensure that the screwdriver tip grips the screw properly to avoid stripping the screw head. Sometimes features are combined, as in the case of slotted hex, hex washer, slotted hex washer, and round washer head designs. When using coach screws on timber, it is advisable to add a washer to avoid embedding the screw head into the wood on impact. This will also make it easier to remove the screw at any point. Another option is a flanged coach screw. This is a coach screw with an integrated washer built into the head. Masonry Heads can be engaged in six positions, making it useful in restricted spaces, such as engines and computers

Bright zinc plated – provides moderate corrosion resistance and is suitable for indoor use in a dry environment Star-shaped heads encompass several different styles that form shapes that resemble stars. The double-square drive has two Robertson’s squares that form an 8-point star in the middle. You can use a Robertson’s bit to drive it or use a special one for the double-square for higher torque application. Screws are often manufactured as self-threading, which means the thread cuts into the material when the screw is turned. This creates an internal thread that allows the fastening material to be pulled together and prevents it from being pulled out. A pan screw is a machine screw with sides that are rounded and flat tops. They are similar to overhead machine screws, but the difference is that with oval screws, the top is rounded as well. Oval screws also have tapered bases, as opposed to the pan screws, which are not tapered at all. Torx screw drives have a six-pointed star shape and are unique and recognizable among screw drive types. This entirely new design is gaining in popularity due to its ability to prevent cam-out. Torx screw drives are often used in the construction and manufacturing of electronic products. 27. Torx Tamper-ResistantThis square recess screw drive is similar to regular square recess screw drives with one essential addition a small pin in the center that prevents tampering, just like the tamper-resistant Phillips drive screws have. 23. Quadrex

Also known as square drive screws, square head screws are threaded fasteners that feature a square-shaped recess within the head. They still feature a threaded shank, which may or may not converge at a pointed tip. Regardless, square head screws have a square-shaped recess. These are the types of safety screws that can be determined by their unconventional drive resulting in more difficulty to tamper or take apart. These screws are primarily used in prisons to secure materials such as car license plates, gutters, and grill bars. Wrapping It Up Presents a flush, seamless surface, or slightly below the surface with a slotted screw head. Flat head screw types are often used on handrails, furniture and lighting fixtures to prevent snagging of clothes and skin, and for aesthetic reasons. You’ll also find the flat head screw commonly used in construction for mounting hinges. They’re also popular drywall screws. Fillister head screw Usually shaped like a hexagon or round-shaped, these screws look like they have a little cap or hat on top of the head. Cap screws come in various lengths and materials, but each of them has heads that look like they’re wearing a cap.Slot design limits the amount of torque that can be applied, making it less secure for high-tension applications Button screw heads come in a variety of sizes and lengths, and their common characteristic is a small, round, button-shaped head, hence the name. They can be flat or slightly rounded, but they always have heads that look like small buttons. This design utilizes a looped head for where it attaches, making it a common choice for threading wires on buildings and surfaces.