Wood Screws for Trade and DIY
Whether you call them wood screws, woodscrews or multi purpose screws, they are the fixing most of us reach for first. We stock everyday zinc yellow and silver wood screws from Unifix, plus heavy-duty Spectre screws for longer fixings, all in sizes that cover everything from cabinet backs to timber framing. Most lines have tiered pricing, so the more you buy the less you pay per box.
Fully threaded or partially threaded?
Fully threaded wood screws grip along their whole length, which makes them a good choice for chipboard, MDF and fixing into thin material. Partially threaded screws have a smooth shank under the head. This lets the top piece of timber pull down tight against the piece below, so they are better for joining two lengths of wood together.
Choosing the right size
Wood screw sizes are shown as diameter x length in millimetres, so a 5.0 x 50mm screw is 5mm thick and 50mm long. As a rough guide, pick a screw around two and a half to three times longer than the thickness of the piece you are fixing. For light jobs such as hinges, backing boards and brackets, 3.5mm or 4.0mm is usually enough. For structural work, decking frames or heavier timber, go up to 5.0mm or 6.0mm, and use our 8.0mm Spectre screws for very long fixings up to 280mm.
Chipboard screws vs standard wood screws
Chipboard screws are a type of multi purpose wood screw with a coarse, sharp thread that bites into particle board without splitting it. In practice they are used on all sorts of timber, which is why we list them together here. If you are fixing timber outdoors, take a look at our decking screws, or for faster driving try our twinthread wood screws. For heavy timber connections, see our wood construction screws and coach screws.
Wood Screws FAQs
What are multi purpose wood screws used for?
Multi purpose wood screws are general fixing screws for timber and timber-based boards. They are used for furniture, kitchen fitting, shelving, studwork, flooring and general joinery, and will also fix into MDF, chipboard and some plastics.
Are wood screws and woodscrews the same thing?
Yes. Wood screws, woodscrews and wood screw are simply different ways of writing the same product. In the trade you will also hear them called multi purpose screws or chipboard screws.
What is the difference between wood screws and chipboard screws?
Traditional wood screws have a tapered shank and a finer thread. Chipboard screws have a straight core with a deeper, coarser thread that grips better in chipboard and MDF. Modern multi purpose wood screws are based on the chipboard screw design, so for most jobs you can use them in any type of timber.
What size wood screw do I need?
A good rule of thumb is to choose a screw about two and a half to three times longer than the thickness of the material you are fixing. For example, to fix an 18mm board, a 4.0 x 50mm screw is a sensible choice. Thicker diameters give more holding power, so step up to 5.0mm or 6.0mm for heavier timber.
Should I choose fully threaded or partially threaded screws?
Use fully threaded screws for chipboard, MDF and fixing into thin or soft material, as they grip along their full length. Use partially threaded screws when joining two pieces of timber, because the plain shank lets the joint pull together tightly.
Do I need to drill a pilot hole?
In softwood and chipboard you can usually drive our wood screws straight in, thanks to their sharp point. In hardwood, near the end of a board or when using larger diameters, drilling a pilot hole first will stop the timber splitting and makes the screw easier to drive.
Can I use these wood screws outside?
Zinc yellow and silver screws are best suited to indoor use or sheltered areas. For fences, decking and other exposed timber, choose screws with an exterior coating or stainless steel, such as our decking screws, as these are made to resist rust.
What screwdriver bit do Pozi screws need?
Pozi (Pozidriv) screws need a PZ bit. Most of our 3.5mm to 4.0mm screws take a PZ2, while larger 5.0mm and 6.0mm screws usually take a PZ2 or PZ3. A Phillips (PH) bit will fit loosely and tends to slip, which can damage the screw head.
Can I buy wood screws in bulk?
Yes. Many of our multi purpose wood screws and chipboard screws come in bulk tubs of up to 2,000 screws, and most boxes have tiered pricing, so the price per box drops as you order more.
