Sheet metal screws are a means of fastening sheet metal to another material, such as wood. However, sheet metal screws are also highly versatile. Contractors use them to securely fasten materials such as wood, metal, and fiberglass. The screws are fully threaded with a point to quickly penetrate materials such as sheet metal. Business owners purchase sheet single screws, boxes of screws, and even bulk quantities of sheet metal screws. Single sheet metal screws cost as little as a dime. Bulk quantities of sheet metal screws may cost up to $500.

Because of their high versatility and varying design, contractors use sheet metal screws in various construction projects. Sheet metal screws manufacturers create the screws with different head types, including pan head, flat head, oval head, and hex head. Some sheet metal screws have a self-drilling point. When considering sheet metal screws pricing and costs for your business, consider the following:

1. Single sheet metal screws are great for repairing and replacing parts.

2. Boxes of sheet metal screws work for new projects and large jobs.

3. Hardware stores and sheet metal screws suppliers can buy bulk screws from manufacturers of sheet metal screws.

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Purchase single sheet metal screws for repair jobs

Some sheet metal screws distributors sell single sheet metal screws. If your business focuses on repair jobs or home improvement, this may be the best way to purchase your sheet metal fasteners. With repair jobs, it is impossible to predict the type of sheet metal screw needed before assessing the job. Some jobs call for a pan head screw, which protrudes above the surface, while others need a flat head or oval head screw for a smoother finish. Buying single screws for specific jobs may save you from an overabundance of unneeded screws. Single sheet metal screws cost anywhere from a few cents to a couple of dollars.

I recommend: Palmer Bolt has single sheet metal screws with a pan head for about 10 to 30 cents each, depending on the size of the screw. Aubuchon Hardware offers 10 x 1 1/2-inch sheet metal screws for a little over $1 each.

Buy a box of industrial sheet metal screws for new projects and larger jobs

When adding a sheet metal roof to a building or constructing a metal building, it is best to buy sheet metal screws by the box. Most projects of this type require the same style and size sheet metal screw in multiple locations. Oval head screws are best in open view to the eye or touch: since they don't protrude above the surface and the head has a rounded effect, they create a smoother, more finished look than other sheet metal screws. A box of sheet metal screws typically ranges from $5 to $10.

I recommend: Hardware and Tools sells boxes of 100 sheet metal screws with an oval head and self-drilling point for under $6 a box. Fastener Express has boxes of 100 sheet metal screws for $4 to $5 a box.

Resell screws by purchasing in bulk from sheet metal screws manufacturers

Many sheet metal screws suppliers purchase bulk quantities from manufacturers. These sheet metal screws distributors are typically hardware and home improvement stores, which resell boxes of screws to construction firms. When buying screws for resale purposes, a sheet metal screws distributor should purchase bulk amounts in a variety of sizes and styles.

I recommend: Bolt Depot sells stainless steel 18-8 slotted head sheet metal screws in bulk amounts of 100 for $35 to $500, depending on size. Tool Barn features a white painted sheet metal screw at a little more than $25 for a tub of 1,000 zip-in screws.

Sheet metal screws are threaded fasteners capable of creating their own mating thread in metallic or non-metallic materials. Because of this, they offer a great thread fit, which increases the odds that they will not come loose while in use. Sheet metal screws manufacturers produce screws with an assortment of screw heads and screw points. Use standard screws in pre-drilled holes, or self-drilling and self-piercing sheet metal screws to create their own holes.

Sheet metals screws work well in wood, fiberglass and metal surfaces. Choose the length, size and material of your product when buying from suppliers of sheet metal screws, and find a variety of options from vendors to help you make a great deal:

1. Browse online hardware catalogs from sheet metal screws suppliers for a variety of options.
2. Purchase screws that can pierce their own holes.
3. Find sheet metal screws distributors selling in bulk.

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Choose the right industrial sheet metal screws from online catalogs

Purchasing sheet metal screws can be done with the click of a mouse, saving precious time and a trip to the hardware store. Shop with a sheet metal screws supplier that has an extensive online catalog to easily look through a full selection of products for the sheet metal screw that will done the job done.

I recommend: Grainger is a hardware supplier with a great online catalog of sheet metal screws in a variety of sizes and styles. Choose the size or length of screw you need to get to a full catalog listing of products available from InStock Fasteners. View prices and product specifications on their website, and place orders online.

Buy self-drilling sheet metal screws

If you want a sheet metal screw that can get the job done itself without any extra drilling of holes, look to self-drilling and self-tapping sheet metal screws. These sturdy screws can drill their own holes, saving time on the job.

I recommend: Ford Fasteners sells both self-drilling and self-tapping screws. Their self-tapping screws drive into materials where standard sheet metal screws cannot. Stainless Fasteners sells a variety of stainless steel self-drilling screws. Buy products online and track your orders by email.

Save when you buy sheet metal screws in bulk

A single screw might be a cheap commodity, but when your construction company needs hundreds or thousands of these screws to get a job done, it's best to buy in bulk. The more screws you buy, the less the price per product. Look to suppliers of sheet metals screws selling buy the box or crate for a great deal.

I recommend: Bolt Depot offers a wide variety of sheet metal screws with various head sizes and screw tips. Buy screws buy the thousand and save on large orders. Mutual Screw is a bulk sheet metal screws distributor with dozens of screws in stock. Choose screws of any size with any screw head your company needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you need screws of a specific length, size or material that you can't find available standard, contact a sheet metal screws manufacturer about creating a custom screw for your business.

Sheet metal screws come in all kinds of sizes and shapes. You'll want to know how to differentiate between metal screws and other types of screws. Knowing the correct terminology will help you select the proper screw for the job.

Other terms to consider concern the type of material that the screws will be connecting. Obviously one of the components will be metal, but it can connect to wood, another metal piece, to plastic or to composite. Another factor in the correct choice of screw concerns the location of the head. Does it need to be out of the way as in a door hinge? Does it need to taper for a better fit? Knowing the correct term for each screw will be a big help in answering these questions.

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Head shape

You will find three basic types of heads for metal screws: flat head, pan head or round head. All three types of heads have their specific uses.

I recommend: DoItYourself.com explains the different types of heads and gives an example for how you can use each type.

Head type

Besides the shape of the screw head, you must choose the type of driver to use to insert and tighten the screw. Some of your choices include straight or slotted screw, Phillips, Robertson, hex slotted or Torx.

I recommend: Find a brief definition for all the types of heads at Tooling University, which alphabetizes the terms. For pictures of the types of heads, go to Curious Inventor.

Diameter

Usually, the diameter of a screw, metal or otherwise, is a number such as 12 or 14. The higher the number, the bigger the diameter.

I recommend: Bolt Depot provides a table of screw sizes with decimal and fraction of an inch equivalents and an illustration of what constitutes the diameter of a screw.

Self drilling

Most metal screws make their own opening as you drive them into the connecting surface. Self-drilling, or self-tapping, screws have a sharp point to facilitate driving them. Other screws have a sort of drill bit on the tip that actually drills a hole the right size for the threads which follow the drill bit tip.

I recommend: Ren- Direct shows self drilling screws, lists various sizes and gives examples of the use for each screw.

Thread pitch

Metal screws will have threads that vary in pitch. Pitch refers to the number of threads in a certain length, usually an inch. A number 17 thread would be coarser than a number 23, because it would have fewer threads per inch than the 23.

I recommend: For a look at the various metal screw threads and their uses, check out Engineered Parts Sourcing.

Tamper proof

Some applications require a metal screw that you cannot removed by ordinary screw drivers or other tools. An example of this would be on a security door where the hinges must be on the outside of the door, leaving them accessible to tampering or removal. Other uses for tamper-proof screws include areas where vandals may be a problem.

I recommend: You can find one example of a tamper-proof metal screw, a one-way screw, at Tamperproof Screw Company. If you are curious about the development of and some of the uses for tamper-proof and tamper-resistant fasteners, you can go to "Mechanical Engineering" magazine.