TYPES OF SCREW HEADS
The purpose of a screw’s design is to allow it to be removed and replaced without damaging the screw or the material it is connecting. Most are made of steel with a corrosion resistant coating, or stainless steel. Screws are available in an array of head shapes, threading, and custom features. Check out our EZ Screw Builder to learn more!
Pan Head. Among the many types of screws, the most common is the pan head screw. These may also be referred to as round head screws. A Philips drive is the most common driver in a pan head, but they may have a slotted drive, or 6-lobe/Torx drive, Pozi Drive, or others. The head is shaped like an upside-down frying pan, which gives it it’s name.
Flat Head. Also called countersunk, a flat head screw is tapered on the underside of the head in order to lie flush with the material it is driven into. The term “countersunk” means the flat head of the screw is flush with (or lower than) the material’s surface.
Button Head. Sometimes called a button socket screw, this rounded head most commonly has a hexagonal drive hole to accommodate an Allen wrench or hex key. However, they can also be supplied with 6-Lobe/Torx drives.The most common metals in button head screws are alloy and stainless steel, but they can also be made of titanium or aluminum.
Socket Cap Head. This type of screw has a cylindrical shaped head with a hex recess that can be tightened with a socket wrench driver. It is available in a variety of sizes and finishes, and some are designed for outdoor applications. The socket cap head screw is most commonly used in industrial applications.
Wafer Head / Ultra-Thin Head. Wafer head or ultra-thin head screws, used in electronic devices, are also called micro-profile, slim-head, or ultra-low head screws. Its purpose is to allow a nearly flat external surface without a countersink, making low-profile designs possible.
Pancake Head / Thin Head. This low-profile, rounded-head screw head is about two-thirds the height of a standard rounded head screw.
Undersized Pan Head. This Phillips-driven head has a flat or slightly domed profile to provide a large mating surface area for a firm hold, even with enlarged holes. It allows a trim finish for decorative applications and minimizes the risk of something catching on the screw head when the item is used.
Pan Washer Head. This head type is a combination of a screw and a washer. The head can be circular or hexed, and has a washer built onto the head to increase its diameter, prevent overdriving into softwoods, while providing a maximum bearing surface. It also helps the screw remain firmly in place.
Fillister Head. Fillister-head screws are raised above the surface on a flat base to keep the screwdriver from damaging the surface as the screw is tightened. Brass Fillister head screws are corrosion resistant, nonmagnetic, and electrically conductive. Nylon Fillister head screws are chemical and oil resistant, nonconductive, and lightweight.
Oval Fillister Head. Oval fillister screws are essentially the same as fillister screws, but the shape on the top of the head is rounded. These are typically paired with a slotted drive.
Oval Flat Head. Screws with an oval flat head are desirable for fastening hinges to cabinets. They are usually available in finishes that coordinated with cabinetry hardware finishes, such as white wood or white stainless steel. Depending on the application, they may require a countersunk hole.
Cheese Head. A cheese head has cylindrical sides with a flat disc top (similar to a wheel of cheese) and a flat bearing surface. The head height is about half its diameter and typically has a slot drive. Its deeper slot capacity makes it ideal for applications requiring extra head strength, or a deeper drive socket.