Pro tip: stop using drywall screws for everything

Honestly, I see so many people grab a box of those coarse thread screws for every single project, even building a deck frame. They're brittle and snap under shear stress, which is a huge problem for structural stuff. I learned this the hard way when a bench I built for my patio in 2021 collapsed after one winter. Anyone have a good rule of thumb for when to switch to structural screws or lag bolts?

2 comments

2 Comments

noraj796h ago

Wait, did you just say drywall screws are fine for shear loads? That's the exact opposite of everything I've ever seen. They're hardened so they snap instead of bending, which is terrible for any kind of sideways force. I snapped so many just putting together a simple workbench in my garage. You might get away with it for something light, but I'd never trust them for anything that actually needs to hold weight or take stress.

danieljenkins12h ago

Drywall screws are actually fine for shear loads, that's not the main issue. They just rust out fast outdoors and get brittle in the cold.