How Many Screws Per Plasterboard?

When fixing plasterboard to your walls, you might be wondering how many screws you’ll need to secure it in place properly. Our guide explores the types of plasterboard screws to use, how many you’ll need per sheet of plasterboard, as well tips on how to install plasterboard/drywall correctly.

What are the Best Screws for Plasterboard?

So, can you use regular screws for plasterboard? The short answer is no. It’s best to use specialist screw fixings with deeper threads and bugle heads. Depending on the task at hand, you’ll want to use either coarse thread or fine thread screws.

Coarse thread screws: also called W-types screws, are suitable for securing plasterboard/drywall to timber (wood). These screws have a wide and thick thread that grips into the stud for a brilliant hold.
Fine thread screws: whereas fine thread screws, also known as S-type screws, are used to secure plasterboard/drywall to metal. These screws have much finer threads to help the screw grip into the metal.

What Size Plasterboard Screw Do I Need?

Fine-threaded screws must enter metal with a depth of at least 10mm, while coarse-threaded screws should penetrate timber with a minimum depth of 25mm.

How Many Screws Do I Need Per Plasterboard?

Traditionally, plasterboard was fixed into place using nails, but this method has been known to cause circular bumps and bubbles in the surface finish - not what you want! Plasterboard screws are a lot stronger than nails and hold the plasterboard in place better, so you won’t need to use as many. They can also be easily removed if you make a mistake.

We recommend placing a screw every 200mm to 300mm. A standard piece of plasterboard is roughly 2.4m x 1.2m, and if you have rafter spaces of around 400cm, then you would need around 36 screws for a vertical piece of plasterboard and 26 screws for a horizontal piece of plasterboard.

Tips on How to Screw into Plasterboard

Don’t over-countersink the screw. The head of the screw should sit just underneath the plasterboard’s surface. If it’s screwed in too deep, the plasterboard could fall away from the fixing. Screws mustn’t sit above the surface either, as this will obstruct the finish.
On rare occasions, black screw platings can react with finish types, which can damage the screw and cause corrosion. We recommend applying a PVA bonding to the heads of the screws before finishing.
Use the correct length screws. Fine threaded screws should penetrate metal by a minimum of 10mm. Coarse threaded screws should penetrate timber by a minimum of 25mm.
The edge of the plasterboard should fit against the supporting frame, preventing it from weakening in the future.
Cut the plasterboard with a sharp knife. Snap the board along the cut and clean off the edges with a multi-purpose rasp plane.
To avoid missing supporting studs underneath, mark their location on the top and bottom of the plasterboard before securing them.
As mentioned above in our guide, secure a screw every 200mm to 300mm vertically, from top to bottom.
If you’re working on a large project, using fine or coarse thread collated plasterboard/drywall screws can make the job a lot easier and quicker.
Use scrim or joint tape to cover the joints between the two boards to support them and aid finishing.