Drywall screws are used to attach drywall to a wood frame, usually the studs of the wall. They are available in different lengths and can be installed with a hand-held drill or power driver.

A lot of people have asked me if they could use drywall screws outdoors due to their corrosion resistance properties. Many people also ask us what type of screw we recommend for outdoor installation. In this blog post, we are going to answer both questions!

Can You Use Drywall Screws Outdoor?

Although drywall screws are strong and sturdy, there are times you are tempted to use them for an outdoor project. However, using drywall crews outside is not advisable. These screws are not made for outdoor use, so their holding power will be insufficient in the long run.

Here are the reasons why you can’t use drywall crews outside:

1. Rust Easily

This is a common problem with all-metal screws. When exposed to moisture, the iron in these screws rusts easily and is likely to weaken over time.

2. The Rust Can Rot Wood

Since wood is a natural material that absorbs water over time, it can be eaten away by the acid from the rust of drywall crews. This will cause your project to develop problems like rotting or cracking before its expected life cycle.

Moreover, this damage could lead you to replace parts of your house instead of repairing them, which adds up more money for construction expenses than necessary!

3. Lose Thread Fast

Drywall screw threads are made shallow so they can hold tightly on gypsum board (drywall). Because their threads are sharp and small, they don’t sustain pressure too well, making them lose their thread faster, especially outdoors. Hence, you will need to replace these fasteners more often than usual.

4. Too Small for Outdoor Projects

Drywall screws are not made to sustain the exposure of outdoor elements like sunlight or water; hence they are likely to corrode or become loose over time.

Plus, since drywall crews don’t have a smooth shank on one end (they only have some ridges), it can cause problems when used outside with softwoods that absorb some moisture. This is because the wood will swell and make your screw impossible to drive in all the way before its head pops out.

These are the reasons why you should not use drywall screws for outdoor projects. Although they can hold things in place, their holding power is too weak when used outside, and that’s just not worth it!

What Can You Use Instead Of Drywall Screws?

If you want to use screws for your outdoor project, it’s best to look at other options like self-drilling or stainless steel decking screws. These are rust-proof and made of material that can stand up in different weather conditions, making them perfect for any type of outdoor project!

Self-Drilling Decking Screws: Since these screws don’t need pre-drilled holes (unlike drywall crews), they make installation faster plus much easier too without damaging the wood surface. They also come with a round head which prevents splitting while maintaining an attractive finish when used on hardwood surfaces.

Stainless Steel Decking Screws: As its name says, these types of screws are made from stainless steel and have a sharp thread that cuts through wood fibers. They also come with a bugle head, making them perfect for projects where the screwhead is not visible at all!

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