A common defect I see in homes, especially newer homes, is the wrong fastener being used to secure kitchen cabinets to walls. I commonly see drywall screws used rather than proper cabinet screws. What’s the difference between the two and why is it an issue? Let’s dive in!

Drywall screws are made to serve one purpose and that is to secure full sheets or partial sheets of drywall to either wood or metal studs. Unfortunately though over the years DIYers have turned drywall screws into the “universal fastener”, using them to fasten anything imaginable to anything else imaginable, almost using the screws like duct tape.

Cabinet screws, which can go by different names like washer-head screws, or button-head screws, are made for the purpose of securing kitchen wall cabinets to the wall. The larger head on a cabinet screw bears down on the cabinet’s hanging strip/rail which ensures a sturdy installation.

How can you tell the difference between drywall screws and proper cabinet screws without backing the screw out of my cabinet? Simple! The head of the screw can tell you a lot (see the image below). The drywall screw has a flat head, no washer, and is usually black or gray in color. The drywall screw also has a phillips head. The cabinet screws will have a round or domed head with an integrated washer or separate washer installed. The cabinet screw will usually be gold or silver in color (they typically aren’t black or gray) and will be a star style head (torx), not a phillips, to reduce the chance of stripping the head while screwing the screw in.

Why can’t drywall screws be used to secure kitchen cabinets? The problem is that drywall screws are not made to secure wood to wood, they are meant to secure drywall to wood. They’re not meant for concentrated loads either and are meant to be used with dozens of other drywall screws to secure a sheet of drywall. Drywall screws also have a weak head that has a tendency to snap off. Once the head snaps off the screw is useless in it’s ability to hold a cabinet securely to a wall.

Another drawback of using drywall screws for hanging wall cabinets is the bugle-shaped head. The head makes them a poor choice for hanging cabinets due to the tapered shape and its tendency to bury itself in any material it’s screwed into. It’s shape is not good at drawing a cabinet to the wall and keeping it there, where as cabinet screws have the washer head on screws that’s designed specifically for attaching cabinets and holding them securely.