Façade screws. Which screws to choose for a building façade?

Choosing the right façade screws is critical for both the durability and the appearance of a building’s façade. Exterior-mounted elements are constantly exposed to moisture, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical loads. Poorly selected screws can lead to corrosion, façade discoloration, cracking of boards, or weakening of the entire structure. Therefore, selecting the correct screws should be treated as an integral part of the façade design, not merely a minor installation detail.

What are façade screws?

Façade screws are specialist fasteners designed for fixing façade materials to a building’s load-bearing substructure. Unlike standard wood or metal screws, they are engineered to perform in outdoor conditions. Their geometry reduces the risk of cracking façade materials, while the materials and coatings used protect against corrosion.

Most often, façade screws are used to install wooden and composite façades and to fix finishing elements through an insulation layer. The right choice of screws directly affects not only the durability of the joint, but also the look of the façade—especially when the screw heads remain visible.

Key characteristics of façade screws:

high resistance to weather conditions, essential under constant exposure to moisture and temperature changes,
design that reduces material cracking, particularly important for wood,
various head types, allowing the screw to be matched to aesthetic requirements,
precise thread, ensuring stable anchoring in the substructure.

Types of façade screws

Selecting the type of façade screws depends primarily on the façade material and the installation method. Wooden cladding boards have different requirements than façades installed through an insulation layer, e.g., polystyrene.

Screws for wooden façades

Wooden façades require screws that can handle the natural movement of wood and changing weather conditions. Wood swells and shrinks with moisture, so screws must provide a durable yet “flexible” joint.

When installing façade boards, it is especially important to match the screw to the wood species and board thickness. For hardwoods such as larch or exotic façade species, pre-drilling is often recommended.

What to consider when choosing screws for wooden façades:

screw material—ideally A2 stainless steel, resistant to corrosion,
length—matched to the thickness of the board and battens/subframe,
head type—a smaller head improves the façade’s appearance,
need for pre-drilling—particularly for hard wood species.

Screws for EPS/Polystyrene Façades

For façades installed through an insulation layer, screws must meet entirely different requirements. EPS/polystyrene is soft and prone to damage, so proper load distribution and the correct screw length are crucial.

Screws used in such systems must pass through the insulation layer and anchor into a stable load-bearing structure without deforming the insulation or creating thermal bridges.

Features of good screws for EPS/polystyrene façades:

appropriate length, enabling solid anchoring in masonry or a subframe,
wide head or a dedicated sleeve, distributing pressure on the insulation,
low weight, so as not to overload the façade,
high corrosion resistance, especially for ventilated façade systems.

Façade screw materials

The material used for façade screws is key to their durability. A façade is a long-term investment, so cutting costs on screw quality often results in expensive repairs later.

The most common materials are stainless steel, carbon steel with protective coatings, and plastics/composites used mainly in lightweight façade systems.

Most popular façade screw materials:

A2 stainless steel – very high corrosion resistance, recommended for wooden façades,
carbon steel with a protective coating – a more cost-effective solution that requires high-quality protection,
plastics and composites – lightweight and corrosion-resistant, used mainly in insulation-based systems.

Corrosion-resistant façade screws

Corrosion resistance is one of the most important parameters for façade screws. Even small rust spots can, over time, weaken joints, create streaks on the façade, and reduce the overall aesthetic of the elevation.

In high-humidity environments, near water bodies, or in coastal areas, using stainless screws is essentially a necessity. An alternative can be screws with advanced anti-corrosion coatings, including ceramic coatings.

Why it’s worth using corrosion-resistant screws:

they prevent weakening of façade board fixings,
they protect the façade from discoloration and streaking,
they extend the service life of the entire structure,
they eliminate the need for premature repairs.

Summary

Selecting the right façade screws should take into account the façade material, environmental conditions, and the desired appearance. High-quality screws—especially those made of stainless steel—are an investment in durability and trouble-free façade performance for many years.