The use of the term fasteners, in New York City or elsewhere in the country, sometimes is a bit confusing. In general a fastener can include any type of nuts or bolts and, depending on which you choose, you may also need washers and nuts. In the most general sense nails and anchors can also be added to the category. Choosing the right fasteners for New Your City construction or repair projects will help to make the job easy and also give it that very put together and professional appearance.
There are several things that you need to consider when choosing fasteners for New York City projects. The first thing you need to know is the types of materials you are using. Most commonly this will be wood or metal, but it could also be masonry, concrete, plastic or combinations of different materials.
Thread Type
There are two basic types of threads that run up the length of the shaft of the fastener. These include wood screws, which will have a point at the end and a much wider thread that ends before the head of the screw to leave a smooth part on the shaft. Sheet metal screws have the same wider thread but are threaded all the way up the shaft.
Machine screws and hex bolts have a finer thread that may run all the way up the shaft to the head or may allow for a smooth part at the top of the shaft. In addition some screws and bolts can be self-drilling or self-tapping, which means you don’t have to pre-drill a hole.
Bolts or Screws?
The terms bolts and screws, as specific terms for fasteners in New York City, are often interchanged. Generally screws have an inset in the head to allow them to tightened and released using a screw driver. Bolts have a hexagonal head that fits with a particular size of socket, but there are exceptions to this general rule.
Regardless of your selection of fasteners for New York City repairs, make sure you use products designed for outdoor use outside. These types of fasteners are rust resistant or self-sealing, ensuring that your fasteners stay strong through years of weather. Deck and roofing screws are good examples of these specialized types of fasteners.
