How Many Screws Per Plasterboard?

When fixing plasterboard to your walls, you might be wondering how many screws you’ll need to secure it in place properly. Our guide explores the types of plasterboard screws to use, how many you’ll need per sheet of plasterboard, as well tips on how to install plasterboard/drywall correctly.

What are the Best Screws for Plasterboard?

So, can you use regular screws for plasterboard? The short answer is no. It’s best to use specialist screw fixings with deeper threads and bugle heads. Depending on the task at hand, you’ll want to use either coarse thread or fine thread screws.

Coarse thread screws: also called W-types screws, are suitable for securing plasterboard/drywall to timber (wood). These screws have a wide and thick thread that grips into the stud for a brilliant hold.

Fine thread screws: whereas fine thread screws, also known as S-type screws, are used to secure plasterboard/drywall to metal. These screws have much finer threads to help the screw grip into the metal.

What Size Plasterboard Screw Do I Need?

Fine-threaded screws must enter metal with a depth of at least 10mm, while coarse-threaded screws should penetrate timber with a minimum depth of 25mm.

How Many Screws Do I Need Per Plasterboard?

Traditionally, plasterboard was fixed into place using nails, but this method has been known to cause circular bumps and bubbles in the surface finish - not what you want! Plasterboard screws are a lot stronger than nails and hold the plasterboard in place better, so you won’t need to use as many. They can also be easily removed if you make a mistake. 

We recommend placing a screw every 200mm to 300mm. A standard piece of plasterboard is roughly 2.4m x 1.2m, and if you have rafter spaces of around 400cm, then you would need around 36 screws for a vertical piece of plasterboard and 26 screws for a horizontal piece of plasterboard.