Tips on How to Screw into Plasterboard

1. Don’t over-countersink the screw. The head of the screw should sit just underneath the plasterboard’s surface. If it’s screwed in too deep, the plasterboard could fall away from the fixing. Screws mustn’t sit above the surface either, as this will obstruct the finish.

2. On rare occasions, black screw platings can react with finish types, which can damage the screw and cause corrosion. We recommend applying a PVA bonding to the heads of the screws before finishing.

3. Use the correct length screws. Fine threaded screws should penetrate metal by a minimum of 10mm. Coarse threaded screws should penetrate timber by a minimum of 25mm.

4. The edge of the plasterboard should fit against the supporting frame, preventing it from weakening in the future. 

5. Cut the plasterboard with a sharp knife. Snap the board along the cut and clean off the edges with a multi-purpose rasp plane. 

6. To avoid missing supporting studs underneath, mark their location on the top and bottom of the plasterboard before securing them. 

7. As mentioned above in our guide, secure a screw every 200mm to 300mm vertically, from top to bottom.

8. If you’re working on a large project, using fine or coarse thread collated plasterboard/drywall screws can make the job a lot easier and quicker. 

9. Use scrim or joint tape to cover the joints between the two boards to support them and aid finishing.