The right screw depends on what you are fixing into. Use coarse-thread drywall screws for gypsum board on timber, fine-thread for gypsum on metal studs, self-drilling (Tek) screws for steel and aluminium, chipboard screws for MDF and particle board, wood screws for solid timber, and a wall plug or anchor before any screw goes into concrete or block. This guide matches each job to the screw type, gauge and length that ZARA Tools stocks in Dubai, with box quantities.
Need screws for steel or aluminium? See all sizes and box prices of self drilling screws in Dubai.
Quick selection table
| Fixing into | Use this screw | Sizes in stock | Box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gypsum board on timber studs | Drywall screw, coarse thread | #6, #8 and #10, 1/2″ to 4″ | 200 to 1,000 |
| Gypsum board on metal studs and channels | Drywall screw, fine thread or gypsum screw (Taiwan) | #6, #8 and #10, 1/2″ to 4″ | 200 to 1,000 |
| Steel sheet, purlins, cladding, roofing | Self-drilling hex head (Tek) screw | #14, 3/4″ to 6″ | 90 to 450 |
| Aluminium profiles, light steel, track to stud | Self-drilling wafer head screw | #6 x 7/16″ and #8, 1/2″ to 2″ | 450 to 1,000 |
| Metal where the head must sit flush | Self-drilling countersunk screw | #6 and #8, 1/2″ to 3″ | 450 to 900 |
| Pre-drilled metal or plastic | Self-tapping pan head or self-tapping countersunk | #6, #8 and #10, 1/2″ to 4″ | 225 to 900 |
| MDF, chipboard, particle board, cabinets | Chipboard screw | 3.5 to 5.0 mm, 15 to 80 mm | 225 to 900 |
| Solid timber, doors, frames | Wood screw | #10, 1-1/2″ to 4″ | 100 |
| Nuts or tapped holes in machinery and hardware | Machine screw | 3.5 and 4.0, 10 to 100 mm | 100 |
| Mirrors and glass panels | Mirror screw with cap | Ask for sizes | – |
| Concrete, block, brick | Plug or anchor first: see anchors and fixings | – | – |
Gauge numbers in millimetres
Screws sold in the UAE are labelled in gauge (#) and inches, or in millimetres. The common equivalents are: #6 = about 3.5 mm, #8 = about 4.2 mm, #10 = about 4.8 mm, #14 = about 6.3 mm. Lengths: 1/2″ = 12.7 mm, 3/4″ = 19 mm, 1″ = 25.4 mm, 1-1/2″ = 38 mm, 2″ = 51 mm, 3″ = 76 mm.
How to choose the length
- Gypsum board: the screw should go at least 10 mm into the stud. For a single 12.5 mm board, a 1″ (25 mm) screw is the usual choice; for two layers, step up to 1-1/2″ or 2″.
- Timber to timber: about two thirds of the screw should be in the second piece.
- Steel with Tek screws: check that the drill point is long enough for the total steel thickness, and the screw leaves at least three threads through the back.
Coarse or fine thread?
Coarse threads grip soft materials such as timber and particle board. Fine threads bite better in thin metal, which is why fine-thread drywall screws are used on steel studs and channels. Using a coarse-thread screw on metal studs tends to strip; using fine thread in timber pulls out more easily.
Self-drilling or self-tapping?
A self-drilling screw has a small drill bit as its point, so it drills, taps and fastens in one step in steel or aluminium. A self-tapping screw cuts its own thread but needs a pilot hole drilled first. Read more in our self-drilling screws guide.
Tools for the job
Drive hex-head Tek screws with a magnetic nut setter, and Phillips-head screws with a PH2 power bit. For concrete, drill with SDS hammer drill bits before fitting the anchor.
FAQ
Which screw is used for gypsum board in Dubai? Drywall screws: coarse thread on timber, fine thread on metal studs, normally #6 x 1″ for a single board.
Can I use drywall screws for wood? For light fixing, yes, but they are brittle. Use wood or chipboard screws for furniture, doors and anything that carries load.
What screw do I use for aluminium windows and profiles? A self-drilling wafer head or countersunk screw, sized to the profile thickness.
Where can I buy screws in bulk in Dubai? ZARA Tools sells all of the screws above by the box from the Al Zafeer warehouse in Al Quoz Industrial Area 2, with prices online per size. Hardware shops can also become a ZARA Tools dealer. See all screws.
