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Drywall screws are the standard fastener for securing drywall to walls or ceilings.
Learn basics about drywall screws, including recommended lengths and gauges, thread types, heads, and points.
Use fine-thread drywall screws for screwing drywall to metal studs.
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Gauge refers to the diameter of the drywall screw.
As gauge numbers increase, the screw becomes larger in diameter.
So, a #6 drywall screw is thinner than a #8 drywall screw.
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Tip
On product labels, gauge is often expressed as the second number after the length.
While drywall screws are usually preferred, nails are faster and easier to drive.
It’s also tricky to get the depth of a drywall screw just right.
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Turning the screw even a bit more can cause it to pull through the drywall paper.
But it’s easier to get drywall nail depth right when hammering.
Not only that but the hammer creates smooth divots for filling in with drywall compound later on.
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This keeps them in place and makes sure they don’t dislodge easily from the wall.
A drywall screw can hold approximately 20 pounds of weight, while anchors can hold up to 50 pounds.
You should use a drywall anchor when hanging heavy objects or there is no stud behind the wall.
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Without a stud, the screw could slip out easily.
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