Best screws for loose floorboard?

Marvqn1

What is the best type of screws to use for screwing down a loose floorboard?

I was going to go for Floor Tite screws, but I read some reviews where people said the heads get damaged too easily.

tacpot12

I just use Screwfix Goldscrews. Never had any problems with the heads getting damaged to easily. You can damage them if you don't apply enough force, but I've never had this problem when screwing down floorboards.  

Le_Kirk

You want the sort that doesn't screw through a central heating pipe or a cable!

fenwick458

I use Turbogold 4.0 x 40mm , less likely to split the boards.
if you only have the odd board to fasten down just use any similar sized screws but drill a 2mm pilot hole and don't be tempted to re use the old nail holes thats how you end up with moving and squeaky floors
recommend 4.0 or 8 gauge, any bigger is un necessary and just more likely to split boards, and 40mm is about right, any longer theres more chance of you hitting pipes and cable, shorter and the might not get a good hold
and when you get to the end of the boards you'll need to pilot it anyway even with the fanciest sharpest screws or else you'll split the boards

Marvqn1

tacpot12 said:

I just use Screwfix Goldscrews. Never had any problems with the heads getting damaged to easily. You can damage them if you don't apply enough force, but I've never had this problem when screwing down floorboards.  

Do Screwfix Goldscrews need a specific type of drill piece to screw them in or will they screw in with a regular screw drill piece?

fenwick458 said:

I use Turbogold 4.0 x 40mm , less likely to split the boards.
if you only have the odd board to fasten down just use any similar sized screws but drill a 2mm pilot hole and don't be tempted to re use the old nail holes thats how you end up with moving and squeaky floors
recommend 4.0 or 8 gauge, any bigger is un necessary and just more likely to split boards, and 40mm is about right, any longer theres more chance of you hitting pipes and cable, shorter and the might not get a good hold
and when you get to the end of the boards you'll need to pilot it anyway even with the fanciest sharpest screws or else you'll split the boards

Does the pilot hole only need to be drilled into the floorboard itself or also drilled into the joist?

Chickereeeee

Marvqn1 said:

What is the best type of screws to use for screwing down a loose floorboard?

I was going to go for Floor Tite screws, but I read some reviews where people said the heads get damaged too easily.

I used Floor Tite screws, no problem at all (I used an electric drill/screwdriver). I did not damage any heads, they are self-countersinking, and no squeaks (I used them on sqeaky wooden stairs) 2.5 years later.

Marvqn1

Chickereeeee said:

Marvqn1 said:

What is the best type of screws to use for screwing down a loose floorboard?

I was going to go for Floor Tite screws, but I read some reviews where people said the heads get damaged too easily.

I used Floor Tite screws, no problem at all (I used an electric drill/screwdriver). I did not damage any heads, they are self-countersinking, and no squeaks (I used them on sqeaky wooden stairs) 2.5 years later.

I might go for Floor Tite screws then.

It says on Screwfix that Floor Tite screws have a countersunk PZ head. Is that bit included with most electric drills or does it require buying an additional drill bit?

Carrot007

Marvqn1 said:

Chickereeeee said:

Marvqn1 said:

What is the best type of screws to use for screwing down a loose floorboard?

I was going to go for Floor Tite screws, but I read some reviews where people said the heads get damaged too easily.

I used Floor Tite screws, no problem at all (I used an electric drill/screwdriver). I did not damage any heads, they are self-countersinking, and no squeaks (I used them on sqeaky wooden stairs) 2.5 years later.

I might go for Floor Tite screws then.

It says on Screwfix that Floor Tite screws have a countersunk PZ head. Is that bit included with most electric drills or does it require buying an additional drill bit?

Who knows what bits you got? Any I have bought usually come with PZ1, PZ2 (and ususally 30 odd more you will never use!) so just read the packet and the side of the bit and find out ;-)

Bendy_House

I recall that a screwdriver bit came with SF's plasterboard screws, so you never know - their reviews would mention this, I think.
If not, a standard PZ2 will likely fit, and every kit should have one....
Anyhoo, the idea is to tightly pull the floorboard down on to the joist, so that means either drilling a virtual 'clearance' hole in the 'board (say, ~3mm), or else using a special screw which has 2 different thread pitches, a coarser one first. 
With the near-clearance hole, the screw will go through the board with only lightly biting in to it, but will then screw properly into the joist below. This means the screw will pull the 'board down tightly on to the joist, which is what you want.
With the special screw (is that what the Floor Titles are?), The coarser main part of the screw thread goes through the 'board more quickly, and then in to the joist. The finer-pitched last part will bite into the boards, but at a slower rate. Therefore the faster, coarser part going through the joist will pull the slower board down tight to it.

stuart45

I usually buy a set of 10 PZ 2's at a time, as they get used the most.

fenwick458

Marvqn1 said:

Do Screwfix Goldscrews need a specific type of drill piece to screw them in or will they screw in with a regular screw drill piece?

Does the pilot hole only need to be drilled into the floorboard itself or also drilled into the joist?

turbogold or goldscrew are Pozi 2, and the pilot hole only needs to go through the board, it's to stop it splitting