Important Things to Consider When Selecting the Right Fasteners

When it comes to any project, whether it’s construction, automotive repair, marine applications, or simple DIY work, choosing the right fastener is just as important as selecting the right material or design. Fasteners hold everything together, and the wrong choice can result in weakened joints, compromised safety, or costly do-overs.

At Fasteners, Etc., Inc., we understand that the world of bolts, screws, rivets, and washers can feel overwhelming. With so many options, materials, and standards to choose from, how do you know you’re getting the right fastener for the job? We’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you make confident, informed decisions backed by decades of industry experience.

Select the Right Fastener Type

Understanding the Different Types of Fasteners

There are many distinct types of fasteners, each with its own strengths and ideal uses. Knowing the differences helps you select the right one for your specific projects.

• Bolts: Bolts are commonly used in heavy-duty applications where strength and durability matter. They are typically paired with nuts and washers to secure materials together. Use bolts, such as hex head bolts, carriage bolts, eye bolts, or square head bolts, for projects requiring a reliable, high-strength hold, as in machinery, automotive, or construction.
• Screws: Screws are used to securely fasten and hold two or more objects together. They are versatile and come in many forms:
  • Wood screws are designed with coarse threads for gripping wood securely.
  • Machine screws feature precise threads, ideal for threading into tapped holes and pairing with nuts.
  • Lag screws are heavy-duty hex head screws with coarse threads and thick shafts. They are often used in wood-to-wood or wood-to-metal applications where strength is essential.
• Rivets: Rivets are an excellent option for permanent connections. Once installed, they provide a strong, tamper-resistant bond that’s perfect for sheet metals, automotive, and aircraft applications.
• Washers and clamps: While sometimes overlooked, washers and clamps are an important type of fastener. Washers distribute load and protect surfaces, while clamps provide temporary or semi-permanent fastening for specialized applications, such as holding objects while assembling, holding pipes or conduits in place, or supporting workpieces while welding. Some examples include:
  • Plain, spring, and lock washers, each with flat, wave, and external tooth sub-types
  • C-clamps, F-clamps, spring clamps, corner clamps, and pipe clamps

How to Select the Right Fastener for Your Application

The right fastener often depends on the type of project you are doing.

• DIY projects: Choose cost-effective screws or bolts designed for general use.
• Construction projects: Bolts, lag screws, and high-strength fasteners are common.
• Automotive applications: Stainless steel or high-strength alloy fasteners resist wear and vibration.
• Sheet metal work: Self-tapping or self-drilling screws make installation easier, while rivets help create strong and permanent connections.
• Woodworking: Coarse-thread wood screws provide a solid grip when joining wood, making furniture, building frames, or fixing hinges.

When choosing between self-tapping vs. self-drilling fasteners, consider how easy they are to use. Self-tapping fasteners create their own threads, while self-drilling fasteners eliminate the need for pilot holes. The right choice depends on the material thickness and efficiency.

For example, self-tapping screws are ideal in soft materials like wood, plastic, or thin metal. They require a pre-drilled pilot hole. Self-drilling fasteners are designed for harder, thicker materials like steel. Unlike self-tapping screws, self-drilling fasteners have a tip that resembles a drill bit, allowing them to create their own hole.

Assess the Environmental Conditions

Impact of Environmental Factors on Fastener Selection

Where your fastener will be used is just as important as what it will hold together. Environmental conditions like moisture, temperature, and exposure to chemicals can drastically impact performance and durability.

Depending on the location of your project, you’ll want to choose a material that can withstand changes in temperature, moisture, and chemical exposure for outdoor environments. For indoor use, you can choose other materials, like metal or non-metal options.

For example:

• Marine environments demand high corrosion resistance, such as bronze.
• Outdoor constructions require weatherproof material, such as stainless steel or galvanized lag bolts.
• High-temperature applications call for fasteners that won’t weaken under heat, such as stainless steel.
• Heavy-duty applications require strong connections that are load-bearing, such as rivets or bolts.

Choosing Fasteners Based on Conditions

The environmental conditions affect the type of fastener you should choose. Some of the most popular and most versatile options include:

• Stainless steel: These fasteners resist corrosion, making them ideal for outdoor, marine, and chemical-heavy environments.
• High-temperature alloys: These fasteners withstand heat. They are commonly used in automotive, aerospace, or industrial furnace applications.
• Plated steel: Fasteners composed of low-carbon steel can be further enhanced by electrogalvanized plating or hot-dipped galvanized, for example.

Purpose and Functionality

Determining the Function of the Fastener

Before choosing a fastener, you need to consider whether the connection is permanent or temporary. If you need to be able to disassemble your project or adjust it, choose reversible fasteners, such as metal bolts, screws, and clamps. However, if you’re not making frequent adjustments, you can opt for a lighter material like plastic. Additionally, if you’re building a structure, you’ll want stronger fasteners, such as rivets.

Choosing Fasteners Based on Functionality

Once you determine whether you need a permanent or temporary connection and the environment, you can decide on the type of fastener. For heavy applications, you’ll want high-strength, load-bearing bolts or structural fasteners. If you’re working on an international project, you’ll want to choose metric fasteners to comply with global standards or equipment. For everyday maintenance and DIY projects, general-purpose screws and washers offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Choose the Right Material

Selecting the Right Fastener Material

A fastener’s material determines more than its cost. It also impacts its performance and longevity. While low-carbon screws or fasteners may be a more affordable option, especially when buying in bulk, you’re sacrificing durability.

Some of the most common, durable materials for fasteners include:

• Stainless steel: It is corrosion-resistant, strong, and ideal for demanding applications, such as marine or automotive.
• High-strength alloys: These offer exceptional load-bearing capacity for heavy-duty use.
• Brass: It is resistant to corrosion and nonmagnetic and often used in electrical applications.

In addition to the material, coatings also play a key role in increasing durability. For example, zinc plating adds a layer of corrosion resistance at a cost-effective price point. Likewise, chrome plating adds durability and offers a polished finish, making it a great option for visible structures, such as sheds and pergolas.

Materials for Specific Projects

Different materials are ideal for specific projects. While some materials are great for indoor renovations or repairs, they may not be well-suited for outdoor or heavy-duty projects.

• Automotive, construction, and marine projects: Stainless steel provides long-term protection against rust and wear.
• DIY or small-scale applications: Cost-effective materials like zinc-coated, low-carbon steel fasteners provide durability without breaking the budget.

Determine the Correct Size

Fastener Sizing: How to Match the Size to Your Project

Fastener size is determined by more than just the diameter. It also involves thread pitch, length, drive, and head shape. Choosing the wrong size can cause issues like stripping, splitting, or unstable connections.

To ensure proper installation:

• Match the fastener’s length to the thickness of your material by measuring the length from the underside of the head to the tip.
• Use the thread pitch that’s compatible with pre-tapped holes or nuts.
• Choose the right head type, such as flat, pan, or hex, based on the tools you’ll need.

Factors to Consider When Sizing Fasteners

When sizing fasteners, you need to consider your project. For high-strength applications or heavy-duty projects, you may need an oversized fastener. Additionally, if you’re working on an international project, you may need a metric fastener to ensure compliance with global standards. You can use our conversion chart to help translate measurements between imperial and metric.

If you need to make a repair to a project, you can find what fastener you need by measuring an existing fastener. For imperial fasteners measured in inches, you use the nominal size and match it to the corresponding gauge number if the screw is numbered less than a ¼-inch. If the bolt is ¼-inch or longer, measure the distance across the threads. You can determine the thread pitch (measured in threads per inch or TPI) by counting the number of threads within a one-inch section of the threaded portion.

For metric fasteners measured in millimeters, you want to measure the outer diameter of the threads using a caliper or by fitting the fastener into the appropriate hole on a bolt gauge. To find the thread pitch, you use a metric pitch gauge to find the distance between the threads.

Fasteners Etc., Inc.: Your Trusted Partner in Fastener Selection

Choosing the right fasteners for your project doesn’t have to be complicated. By considering type, environment, function, material, and size, you can select the best option and ensure strength, safety, and long-term reliability.

At Fasteners Etc., Inc., we make the process even easier. As a veteran-owned business, we take pride in delivering integrity, excellence, and customer-first service. Our team offers a wide inventory of fasteners, including stainless steel, self-tapping screws, and rivets. We also have a robust selection of various bolts and nuts, including hex jam, acorn, and lock. Additionally, our kitting allows us to provide personalized solutions for both large-scale industrial clients and small businesses.

If you have any questions about choosing the right fastener or want to compare your options, our team can help. To learn how our fastener solutions can streamline your operations, contact us today.