Screws for cladding

[Larry1990]

Hey folks, I need to order some screws for my garden room cladding. I'm interested if anyone can please tell me if there is much difference in cheapo stainless steel screws and more expensive ones. I'm doing cedar tgv on the front and 12mm tgv matchboard on the sides and back. I'd like to do as hidden fix as possible and just wondered if there's a huge difference between these Toolstation ones and the rather more expensive cladding supplier ones.

Tongue-Tite Torx Screw 3.5 x 45mm SS | Toolstation

• Easy fix for tongue & groove flooring • Hidden • No pilot hole necessary • No squeaky boards • Driver bit in each box Stainless steel option for cladding and other exterior use.

www.toolstation.com

Versus

Stainless Steel Cladding Screws (Hidden Fixing)

Made from high-quality A4 (316 grade) stainless steel, these Solida screws are perfect for cladding applications that require a hidden fixing. They are extremely resistant to tensile and fracture damage and feature a deep six-point star-shaped recess in the head that allows the driver bit to...

www.silvatimber.co.uk

Cheers
Larry

 

[^woody^]

I don't think there is any real difference with those two screw types. Especially with hidden fixing.

However those rounded head types can cause the surface to slightly indent and the hole in the timber not to close tight around the head. Compare the head with something like these https://www.russwood.co.uk/shop/product/l-gofix-a2-screws/ - this head makes a much cleaner cut, no indent of soft timber such as cedar and sits nice and flush.

Not an issue in your case, but the head profile can make a difference if visible fixing

 

[Larry1990]

Hi Woody,

Thank you for your insights, appreciate it. I'll give the cheaper ones a go on the rear cladding first before attempting the cedar.

Cheers
Larry

 

[JohnD]

Are you fixing it to battens? Or to the brickwork?

 

[Larry1990]

Are you fixing it to battens? Or to the brickwork?

Hey John,

I'm attaching it to battens, fairly standard 4x2, OSB, tyvek, battens affair.

Cheers

Larry

 

[JohnD]

Doesn't need a very big screw, then, into battens.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

If you are looking for the most unobtrusive fixings, then 16 gauge (or 18 gauge for interior work) stainless steel pins (as used in an appropriate nail gun) are the least obvious having tiny heads, followed by stainless steel oval nails, and then a fair way behind, screws.