Drywall Screws

Drywall installation can be easy to apply if you have the right attitude and tools. Drywall is the most popular wall finishing type of today. It is usually used as backing for many types of wall treatments such as wood, fiber, wallpaper, and tile paneling. Another name for drywall is gypsum wallboard, made from crushed gypsum that is enclosed in paper casing.

Drywall is prone to damages especially in high moisture areas of the house. A waterproof green board is a special kind of drywall created to withstand water and moisture permeation. On the other, ordinary drywall installed in the dryer portions of the house is not safe from damaging elements such as pressure, furniture scuffs, among others.

In the midst of these harsh contacts, drywall nails can protrude eventually – which is basically just part of the wear and tear process of the house. When you are faced with this scenario, new houses now employ drywall screws that are not likely to pop out notwithstanding external forces.

Drywall screws are specially designed for drywalls with cylindrical shafts; and similar to the board, the screw has many different variations for specific situations. Drywall screws are generally utilized to "hang" gypsum boards. Their one common feature is the smooth arched transition in between head and shank that looks like the mouth of a bugle instrument.

Moreover, drywall screws generally have narrow shafts that are approximately the size of a #6 wood screw, and large heads with a size similar to a #8 wood screw. The large head and smooth arched zone are specially designed to minimize tear on the thick paper face, which is something that lessens the screw's traction power.

Drywall Types

Drywall come in four common thickness: ¼" drywall for covering existing walls or sheathing arched surfaces in multi-layers, 3/8" to provide extra strength to double-layered walls, ½" for ordinary construction needs, and 5/8" used to comply with fire-rating requirements.

Additionally, there are special types of drywall commonly called green board which are specifically designed for high-moisture environments although these are still secured using drywall screws.

Drywall Screw Types

For residential use, coarse-threaded screws work best when adjoining drywall to softwood studs. Heavy gauge (20ga) and light gauge (22ga) steel studs are mainly utilized in commercial construction that require a type of drywall screw that can tear through the steel and pierce through its threads. Heavy gauge steel studs need a fine-threaded screw with a drill point. On the other hand, a fine thread screw with sharp end usually suffices for light gauge framing.

When driving top-quality screws, a Phillips recess provides more grip than the square recess. However, most drywall screws are driven not with a conventional screwdriver but with a "dimpler" or drywall "screwgun" that features an adjustable nosepiece. When the dimpler senses the screw has reached the desired depth, it loosens its hold of the screw causing it to cam out reducing the incidence of paper tears.

Fastening Schedule

For many masonry installers, drywalls are merely nailed or screwed directly to the stud. More so, professional masons even utilize screws and nails to affix the board to the stud in the meantime that the panel adhesive does its job. Panels that are attached with adhesives provide a greater strength and spotless surface compared with panels adjoined by nails and screws alone.

The process of installing the drywall begins by quickly nailing the board in its intended position, snug the panel to the studs with the screws, and applying adhesive. Distance between drywall screws is every six inches along the exterior vertical edges, while fasteners should be attached every 12 inches at the center of the sheet. You can check with your local code for other special drywall screw requirements.