Best Screws for Fiberglass

In this article, we look at the best screws for fiberglass on the market. We also have a detailed buying guide to give you more knowledge about these screws and help you make more informed choices.

Fiberglass is a great material to choose from for many different kinds of projects. Also, if you’re a boat owner, there’s a high chance there’s already plenty of fiberglass in your boat. It’s a very strong material, after all. It’s also pretty light and can be used for all sorts of things.

That said, it’s important to pick the right screws for fiberglass, seeing as it’s more fragile than metal and wood. If you don’t do that, you could easily end up damaging your fiberglass.

Best Screws for Fiberglass – Our Top 6 Picks

Preview	Product	Price
	SNUG Fasteners 25 Qty #14 x 3/4" 304...		Check Price
	#8 x 3/4" Phillips Flat Head Countersink...		Check Price
	#6 x 1'' Phillips Flat Head Countersink...		Check Price
	Chenango Supply 5 LB 305 Stainless Torx Deck...	$80.00	Check Price
	Grip Rite Prime Guard MAXS62704 Type 17 Point...		Check Price
	SNUG Fasteners (SNG219) 100 Qty #10 x 4...		Check Price

Best Picks – Product Overviews

1. Snug Fastener SNG221 Screws for Fiberglass

This is a great versatile option for a screw, which you can use for all sorts of purposes, not just on your fiberglass boat, but also around the house and other job sites. In fact, it can fasten not just fiberglass, but also metal and wood.

The packaging contains 25 screws, which gives you lots of leeways to cater to your project, with very high chances you’ll have leftover screws to use on your next project. Considering that so many packs of screws on the market come with 10 screws or less, this screw model offers quite a value proposition.

The size is also pretty great, as these are ¾ inch screws. This is a versatile size that you can use for most projects, and the fact that the size is clearly stated also makes it easy to tell if these screws are right for your project.

Apart from the fact that these screws can be used for many different projects and on different materials without causing cracks or other kinds of damage, they are also made from a strong and durable material: stainless steel.

Whether you need them for something temporary or more permanent, you can trust that they will last and be reusable many times over.

These screws also come with a flat hex head that makes them easy to tighten without worrying about the size of your screwdriver. It also prevents them from stripping due to overuse or overtightening.

Pros

• Comes with ¾ inch screws that can be used for most projects
• Can be used on fiberglass, wood, and metal
• Very strong and durable stainless steel screws
• Flat hex heads make it easy to screw them in without worrying about stripping

Cons

• You don’t get the option of any packages smaller than 25 screws
• They are quite pricey

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2. Tight-Point FLAT-ZIN875-100 Screws for Fiberglass

These are Philips flat head screws that come in a large value pack with 100 screws. That’s more than enough for multiple projects, and you’re likely to have lots of leftovers at the end. Considering the number of screws, the price is certainly justified.

Another thing I love about these screws is that they are made of zinc-plated steel. The extra layer of zinc ensures that it is durable and resistant to rust. The steel is also strong enough to resist stripping from multiple uses.

The plating, meanwhile, provides protection from wear and tear. In particular, these screws are highly resistant to rust, so they are well suited for use in marine environments.

These screws are also pretty versatile, as they can be used on fiberglass, plastic, wood, and sheet metal. Also, since they have Philips heads, they can be screwed in by most screwdrivers.

As far as size is concerned, it should be noted that they come in many different sizes. That means that you have plenty of options for the right size for your specific job. In case you pick the wrong size, you can just return the pack you bought and trade it in for the size you want.

Pros

• They come in a large quantity 100-pack
• They are made from strong and durable zinc-plated steel
• Can be used on multiple materials, including fiberglass, plastic, wood, and metal

Cons

• You can’t buy any pack less than 100 screws]
• Very pricey

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3. Tight-Point FLAT-ZIN6100-100 Screws for Fiberglass

These screws come at a fairly low price, making them a great option for those on a budget. That said, they don’t sacrifice any quality for that low price. They are versatile and come with a ton of features that make them well suited to the job.

For starters, they come in a 100-pack, which means that, with a single purchase, you get enough screws for lots of different jobs, including many leftovers for future use.

Just like the other Tight-Point screws, these ones have a layer of zinc plating on top of them to protect against wear and tear. It also makes them highly rust-resistant, which makes them a good option for marine use.

These screws are also pretty versatile and can be used on a variety of materials, including fiberglass, plastic, wood, and metal. Not only that, but they also come with multiple size options so if you pick the wrong size you can easily trade it in for the right one.

Pros

• Large size pack for all your needs
• They come with flat head tops for easy concealing
• Can be used on multiple materials

Cons

• No option for quantities less than 100 screws
• The zinc plating may come off over the long term, exposing the steel underneath to rust

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4. Chenango Supply 5 LB 305 Stainless TORX Deck Screw

This great screw features a star drive head. Stardrive heads prevent stripping and cam out, which makes for great driveability. This gives it great penetration capabilities through all sorts of materials, including fiberglass, wood, and metal.

They also come with nibbed heads and a high degree of resistance to corrosion, making them especially well suited to marine use.

The packaging is also high value, as they come in packs of 360 screws. These are more than enough for your project plus lots left over.

Pros

• Great corrosion resistance
• Does not strip easily
• High versatility for multiple material types

Cons

• Does not come in packs with quantities less than 360
• Quite pricey

Check current price at Amazon

5. Grip Rite Prime Guard MAXS62704 Type 17 Point Deck Screw

The Grip Rite screw is made of stainless steel, making it strong, durable, and highly resistant to rust and other forms of corrosion. This makes them perfectly suited for marine use.

Note that these screws come in at a very large size of 2.5 inches, which makes them great for projects that require strong and long-lasting holds. Each pack is measured at 5 pounds.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not specify how many screws that it, but it comes to around 400 hundred, considering that each screw weighs roughly 4 ounces.

Pros

• Very large size screws for strong hold projects
• Stainless steel is resistant to rust and corrosion
• Versatile for use with multiple materials, including fiberglass, wood, and metal

Cons

• Quite pricey
• No specification about the number of screws per pack

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6. Snug Fasteners SNG219 100 Qty #10 x 4 Stainless Steel Fence and Deck Screws

And we round off our review at the same place we started, brand-wise: a Snug Fastener screw. These particular ones come with a bugle shaped head, making it very easy to conceal them.

They also have a Robertson Square Drive, which makes it easy to install them quickly. The sharp cutting threads provide for a long-lasting hold.

They are 0.5-inch screws, so they should be usable for most small scale projects. However, the sharp threads ensure they still hold just as well as larger screws. The best part is that they come with a 5-year warranty!

They also come in a package of 100 screws.

Pros

• Great value pack of 100 screws
• Very easy to install
• Sharp cutting threads make for very strong and durable hold
• Stainless steel is resistant to rust and corrosion

Cons

• Don’t come in packages smaller than 100
• Quite pricey

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Best Screws for Fiberglass – Buying Guide

Before you start any project, even if it’s shopping for the best screws for your fiberglass boat, you should have a decent working knowledge of the right screws, the do’s, and the don’ts.

Sure, the screws included in this list are the best in the market, and you should be just fine picking any of them, but what if you want to do your own shopping?

What if you want to know a little more about why certain kinds of screws are okay for fiberglass while others are not?

In order to use the screws you have purchased safely, you will need to learn a little more about the materials you are using, as well as how to use them. If you would like to learn more about the subject and have any questions, I would advise you not to skip this section. You may well find the answers you need here.

What is Fiberglass?

Why is it so important to find the right screws for your fiberglass hull? What is so special about this material that you have to be extra careful when you’re driving screws into it? 

Fiberglass is a special kind of reinforced plastic. It is made of glass fibers that have been embedded in a resin. That’s where the name ‘fiberglass’ comes from. This process gives you a material that is much stronger than traditional glass, much harder than plastic, and overall shatter resistant.

Many people use fiberglass for all sorts of applications, ranging from insulation in the walls of their homes to the walls of fireplaces, seeing as fiberglass is fire resistant.

Why is it Wrong to Use Regular Screws with Fiberglass?

It is important here to take note of the fact that screws aren’t nearly as universal as they might seem to the uninitiated. You can’t just use a single type of screw for everything under the sun.

They are many kinds of screws, coming in different shapes, sizes, and often colors, and they’re meant for use with a wide variety of materials. Perhaps one of the most common mistakes I see with people who work with special materials, such as fiberglass, is general ignorance about the right kind of screw to use with those materials.

If you use the wrong kind of screw for your fiberglass project, you might end up with disastrous results, such as a leaky boat that can’t go out to sea anymore.

On one of these fine days, take a trip down to your local hardware store and have a look around. You will find all sorts of screws. Some of them are meant for wood, others for metal, and all sorts of other material. If a specific screw isn’t meant for fiberglass, or even for glass, please don’t use it on fiberglass.

The main reason why you don’t want to drive the wrong screws into your material is that it could cause damage, either to the screw, or to the material, or both. You stand the risk of cracking and shattering the material as well as stripping the screw, which would render it impossible to use.

When you pick the right screw, you save yourself a ton of money and time, which pays great dividends in the long run.

Features to Look for

As you go through our reviews, taking a look through each of them, you may wonder what features might be more important to consider for a fiberglass project you have. My recommendation is to start by considering the weight and size of the materials you’re working with, and what type of hold you’re looking to achieve in the end.

If you’re using screws to hold up a very heavy panel made of fiberglass, then look for screws that are specified to have durable holds and threads that are sharp and gripping. These screws will be very different from those you might use to mount a simple photo frame, or even to put furniture together.

Another thing to consider, of course, is the intended final appearance of the whole thing. Are you planning to paint over those screw heads? If the idea of spending extra money does not particularly appeal to you, you may want to look for materials like stainless steel. These not only look appealing but are also resistant to rust in the long term.

Even while you’re armed with this knowledge, it might still feel overwhelming when you actually go out to do some shopping, and it is not unlikely that you might feel like you will never find the exact type of screw you need for a job. After all, there are rows upon rows of screws in most stores, and it’s easy to feel out of sorts when trying to pick out the perfect size and shape.

It’s much easier to search online, to be honest. You can constrain your search more effectively. More importantly, however, you can get better deals. It’s still important to know what you’re looking for if you’re going to get the best possible product.

The Thread Size and Length of the Screw

The problem with the screws out there is that there are many different sizes to look at. You may have no idea which one is just right for the project you’re working on. That said, once you get the hang of it, it isn’t that difficult to choose.

What you need to look at first is the thread size. These will determine the size of the hole you’ll have when you take the screw out.

If you’re doing a project that involves you taking out the screw at the end, then the last thing you probably want is a large hole that you have to fill or cover-up, especially when it’s a hole in the hull of your boat. It’s therefore imperative to get a small thread size to avoid that.

On the other hand, if you are sure you won’t be taking that screw out any time soon, and you want something with a strong hold, then a thick thread size is a great bet. It can give your project that extra strong hold and durability that you want, making the whole thing last longer.

The other thing to consider is the screw type. This is much easier to figure out, since all you have to do is consider the project and find out what would be too long or too short for it. I would advise you to do a quick measurement, just so you make sure the choice you go for in the end is the right one.

The Type of Screw Head

Depending on the specific type of project you’re doing, and where you intend to place the screws, you may or may not care whether the head of the screw is  flat against the surface. If you don’t, you can pick a round headed screw.

If the screw is facing outward, however, and it is probably going to be seen, then you’re better off with a flat-headed option. That way it’s flush with the surface of the material and doesn’t stick out.

Strictly speaking, seeing a silver bump where the surface should be flat can affect the aesthetics of your project. If you want things to look like they were professionally done, then you will want to pick the head type carefully.

That said, it’s also possible that a round head lends itself better to the aesthetic you’re going for than a flat one. This one’s a judgment call, to be honest, so base your decision on what your needs and preferences are.

Another consideration to make is how much you want to conceal the screw. If you want to conceal it to the point where it almost looks like there were no screws to begin with, flat head is a great option. You can easily paint over it to hide it.

Sure you can paint over a round head screw, but there will be a rise in the surface, and that will be much easier to spot than a flat head.

Price Considerations

When it comes to matters of price range things can vary wildly. You will easily see prices anywhere from $10 to $100. The main reason for this is that the screws themselves can vary wildly.

The size of the packaging, the features of the screw, and the materials they are made of can all vary.

Of course, it goes without saying that the higher the quality of the screws, the more expensive they will be. The same holds for the strength of the hold. Stronger hold screws will also be more expensive.

In my research, I found that screws that have sharper threads were costlier than those with smooth threads. Also, when a screw promises an attractive finish and invisible fasteners it tends to be more expensive. That’s because you don’t have to buy or use more materials to conceal your work.

FAQ

Best Screws for Fiberglass – Conclusion

And with that we come to the end of our review. As you can see, there are plenty of options on the market. Any of the ones in our review should be perfect for the job.

However, if you would like to do some shopping of your own, be sure to go through the buying guide and FAQ.

Until next time, happy sailing and keep reading our blog!

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API