Construction screws explained

Do you think all construction screws are the same? Think again. They all do the same thing, but they're engineered a little bit differently. Let's start with the heads. All three of these screws have a countersink head. The screw in the middle has a larger head spreading out the clamping force more evenly, while the screws on the left and right have a smaller head leaving a smaller countersunk hole. Some of the screws even have cutting ribs on the bottom of the head, which allow it to countersink more cleanly. A lot of construction screws aren't threaded all the way to the top. They have a smooth shank. What that shank allows it to do is it allows it to clamp the boards together not draw them apart. Cuz drywall screws are threaded that go all the way up, watch what happens. Cuz the threads grab both boards, the top board can't slide freely, so it doesn't pull the top board to the bottom board as effectively. The smooth shank on the construction screw lets the top board slide while the threads bite into the bottom board pulling the two pieces of lumber together tightly. Not all construction screws have the same threads either. This one just has your normal threads, and this one has serrated threads towards the tip here. The serrated threads cut through the fibers helping it drive in a lot better, also clearing the wood chips as the screw drives in. Not even all the tips are the same. This has a type 17 tip, which helps you start the screw a lot better, but also reduces the chances of you splitting the wood. These type 17 screws often don't require any pre-drilling. Right on the edge of the soft pine, no splitting. And this screw has these milling ribs on the shank, which reduces friction as you drive the screw in as well as helping pull the boards together a lot better. These are all construction screws, but different manufacturers add different features to improve performance. Anyways, I hope this helps next time you go and buy screws. I got stuff to do. I'll catch you guys later. Peace.