Before choosing a side in the bolts vs. screws debate for your next project, think about these three factors:
APPLICATION
Your project is the biggest factor in whether you use screws or bolts. Remember: bolts provide a tremendous amount of holding strength whereas screws offer a middle-ground for holding power. Light to medium construction projects, like for fencing or framing, are best for screws. Your heavy-duty projects are best for bolts. Bolts are also best when the finished project is meant to be assembled and disassembled easily.
MATERIAL
Whether you're using sheet metal, wood, concrete or drywall for your DIY undertaking, you want to think about how it applies to bolts vs. screws. Material matters.
Materials That Typically Require Screws:
Plywood
Press board
Drywall
Sheet metal
Deck planks
MATERIALS THAT ARE USUALLY BEST FOR BOLTS:
Concrete
Studs
Beams
There are some materials that could require either a screw or a bolt assembly for fastening. For example, a 2" x 4" might be best fastened as a stud that is part of the framework for a wall using screws, but for an application like a deck assembly, bolts are likely a better choice. Be sure to consider the load being put on the fastener in combination with the material when choosing between bolts and screws.
COST
Price is always a factor when budgeting a project, especially if you're going to need a large number of fasteners. While using bolts can be more costly, using the correct fastener will save you money in the long run. If you end up having to do repairs on the project because you used the wrong fastener for the material or application, you aren't really saving any money by going the cheaper route.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BOLTS VERSUS SCREWS
1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOLT AND A SCREW?
Bolts and screws can both provide a secure hold in fastening applications. However, these fasteners are not the same. Usually self-tapping, a screw features a helical groove wrapped around a shaft. The threads of the screw mate with the material it is turned through to hold the screw in place. A bolt, on the other hand, is not self-tapping and requires a nut to stay secure.
Screws and bolts also differ in shape and cost - screws are often tapered, while bolts are not, and bolts tend to cost more than screws.
2. IS A BOLT STRONGER THAN A SCREW?
Yes, bolts provide greater holding strength than screws. This is partly due to the presence of the washer, which spreads out the load over a larger surface area. Because bolts offer increased strength, they work well for heavy-duty, load-bearing applications.