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Wood screws, metal screws or through bolts — how to choose the right type of screw?
Our expert advice and tips for choosing correctly between wood screws, metal screws, and through bolts.
Our expert advice and tips for choosing correctly between wood screws, metal screws, and through bolts.
‘Screws? I know all about them!’ But do you really? Although the choice may seem simple, it’s easy to forget that fixings have their own particular features, especially when you’re fitting a door handle. Let’s take a closer look at the three main types of screw you’re likely to encounter, each with a specific purpose: wood screws, machine screws and through-bolts. This guide offers advice and expert tips to help you choose wisely and avoid unpleasant surprises. After all, we want your fittings to hold firm and look the part!
Wood screw
Wood screws play a central role in joinery and timber construction. They are designed to grip wood securely and provide a strong fixing. These screws are ideal for wooden doors, furniture and timber frames.
Their wide, deep threads grip the wood firmly, while their sharp tips penetrate it easily and smoothly. Wood screws come with different head shapes. Depending on the fixing required, you’ll find flat, countersunk or round heads. These screws can be made of steel, stainless steel or even brass, and are often coated for corrosion protection. Of course, every choice matters: select the screw size and head most suited to the job.
Practical tip: to prevent the wood from splitting — forming a large vertical crack — don’t underestimate the importance of the screw’s size and shape. Choosing the right one helps your fixing last.
Find out more: discover the mistakes to avoid when installing a door handle.
Machine screw
When working with metal, you need a fixing that can withstand heavier loads. That’s what machine screws are for! Commonly used to join metal plates or in industrial installations, they’re also ideal for fixing a handle to a metal door.
Their threads are fine, even and, above all, designed to enter metal precisely. With a standard diameter of 4 mm, these screws often require a pre-drilled hole and a nut to ensure a secure fixing.
Important: only use machine screws to fit your furniture knobs. Unsuitable screws may not hold properly or could damage the material.
Machine screws are available in several standard sizes. The most common are:
| Size | Diameter |
|---|---|
| M3 | 3 mm |
| M4 | 4 mm |
| M5 | 5 mm |
| M6 | 6 mm |
| M8 | 8 mm |
| M10 | 10 mm |
Good to know: stainless steel or hardened steel screws are ideal for helping your installation last. Don’t overlook the quality of the fixings, either: it helps ensure both a better hold and a neat finish.
Looking for a metal door handle to complete your industrial-style décor?
see our industrial-style door handles
Through-bolts
Through-bolts are the choice for a robust assembly when a fixing needs to pass through two materials and hold them firmly together with a nut. Ideal for thick structures, heavy furniture or even some architectural features, these screws leave no room for error!
This type of screw, which can be partially or fully threaded, is designed to pass right through the materials, creating a stable, durable assembly. Steel and stainless steel are excellent choices for through-bolts because they withstand pressure and provide a lasting hold.
Practical tip: choose a screw and nut size suited to the thickness of the materials you want to join. Use washers for a snug fit too.
Good to know: at MILLA HANDLES, all our interior door handles come with an installation kit: 4 mounting adaptors, an 8 × 8 mm square spindle, 4 through-bolts, 2 Allen screws and a suitable 3 mm key. For doors from major retailers, please mention this when ordering, as a 7 × 7 mm spindle may be needed. For detailed advice, see our guide, ‘How to install a door handle correctly’.
Comparison of the three types of screw
| Screw type | Features | Example use |
|---|---|---|
| Wood screw (for secure fixings in wood) |
Sturdy screws for a stronger grip in wood, ideal for furniture, decorative elements or wooden door handles. | Installing door handles and assembling wooden furniture. |
| Machine screw (ideal for metal) |
A fine thread and precise diameter for a secure fixing in metal. They often require a pre-drilled hole and a nut. | Fixing handles to metal doors and making industrial assemblies. |
| Through-bolt (for a permanent fixing) |
Ideal for robust assemblies, these pass right through the material and are secured with a nut. | Joining wooden or metal structures and securely fixing thick components. |
Each screw has its own specific role, features and advantages. Whether you’re fitting a handle, reinforcing a structure or ensuring an installation stays secure, choosing the right type of screw — wood screw, machine screw or through-bolt — helps your project last and perform reliably. Don’t forget: it’s often the details that make the biggest difference!
To learn more about choosing and installing your handles, take a look at our guide to choosing the right dimensions for your door handle.
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