7 Fastener Types and Choosing the Right One (2026 Guide)
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1
Bolts: The Heavy-Duty Connector for Permanent Joints
🟡 intermediate 🔥 high Impact
Bolts are threaded fasteners with external male threads that require a nut or pre-tapped hole to create strong, detachable connections. They excel in building, machinery, and automotive applications where sturdy yet removable joints are essential. Hex bolts, the most common type, cost $0.15–$2.50 each depending on size and material grade, with stainless steel versions running 40–60% higher than standard steel.
Pro tip: Use washers under bolt heads and nuts to distribute pressure evenly and prevent loosening over time; this costs under $0.10 per washer but can extend joint life by 50% or more.
2
Screws: The Versatile Fastener for Wood, Metal, and Plastic
🟢 beginner 🔥 high Impact
Screws are threaded fasteners designed to be driven directly into materials without requiring a mating nut, offering flexible holding power across wood, metal, and plastic applications. Their threaded design provides robust holding ability, with different head styles (Phillips, slotted, hex, Torx) accommodating various driver types. Standard wood screws cost $0.05–$0.30 each, while specialty types like self-drilling or machine screws range from $0.10–$1.00 per unit.
Pro tip: Torx and hex-head screws reduce stripping risk by 75% compared to Phillips heads, making them worth the 20–30% cost premium for critical applications like deck building or marine projects.
3
Nuts: The Threading Partner for Bolt Assembly
🟢 beginner 💪 medium Impact
Nuts are threaded fasteners with internal threads that mate with bolts to create secure connections. Hex nuts, the most common type at $0.10–$0.50 each, are cheap and easy to assemble with a standard wrench. Specialty nuts like Nylock (nylon-insert) nuts cost 30–50% more but prevent vibration-induced loosening, making them ideal for machinery and vehicles where movement could otherwise compromise connections.
Pro tip: Nylock nuts are worth the extra $0.15–$0.25 per unit for overhead applications or machinery; the nylon insert prevents reversal without assistance and eliminates the need for lock washers in most cases.
4
Washers: The Pressure-Distribution Layer
🟢 beginner 💪 medium Impact
Washers are thin, flat discs placed beneath bolt and nut heads to distribute pressure across a wider surface area and prevent surface damage. Standard flat washers cost $0.05–$0.15 each, while lock washers (which prevent loosening) run $0.08–$0.20 per unit. Using washers increases holding strength by dispersing load and can reduce fastening failure rates by up to 40% in high-vibration environments.
Pro tip: Always pair lock washers with bolts on machinery, vehicles, or outdoor structures; the minimal cost ($0.10–$0.20 per connection) prevents expensive downtime from loose fasteners.
5
Nails: The Friction-Based Fastener for Quick Assembly
🟢 beginner 💪 medium Impact
Nails are non-threaded fasteners that join materials through friction and are available in multiple types for different applications. Common nails ($0.02–$0.10 each) feature thicker shanks for general construction, while brad nails ($0.01–$0.05 each) work best in thin lumber, fiberboard, and plywood without splitting. Finishing nails ($0.03–$0.08 each) leave smaller holes for aesthetic applications and furniture attachment.
Pro tip: Use brad nails for materials thinner than 3/4 inch to avoid splitting; they cost 50% less than screws and install faster, making them ideal for trim work and furniture assembly.
6
Rivets: The Permanent Fastener for Soft Materials
🟡 intermediate 💪 medium Impact
Rivets are permanent mechanical fasteners that bond materials together through deformation and are ideal for binding soft, thin, or fragile materials like canvas, thin sheet metal, and plastic. They cost $0.10–$0.50 each depending on material and size, and once set cannot be removed without drilling. Rivets create airtight, watertight seals making them essential for aerospace, marine, and outdoor applications.
Pro tip: Blind rivets (pop rivets) cost $0.15–$0.35 each and require access to only one side of the material, making them 60% faster to install than solid rivets for applications like boat hulls and aircraft panels.
7
Anchors: The Solution for Hollow Walls and Masonry
🟡 intermediate 🔥 high Impact
Anchors secure fasteners in hollow walls, drywall, concrete, and brick where direct bolt or screw insertion would fail. Drywall anchors cost $0.05–$0.20 each and can hold 25–50 pounds depending on type, while concrete anchors range from $0.20–$2.00 each and support 100–500+ pounds. Toggle bolts (the strongest drywall option) cost $0.30–$0.75 each but can support up to 100 pounds in hollow walls.
Pro tip: For heavy fixtures on drywall (shelves, TVs), use toggle bolts rated for 75+ pounds rather than cheap plastic anchors; the $0.50 difference per anchor prevents costly wall damage and safety hazards.
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Bonus Tip
Match Fastener Material to Environment for Longevity
Steel fasteners cost 30–50% less than stainless steel but rust within 2–5 years in outdoor or humid environments, requiring costly replacement. Stainless steel fasteners ($0.30–$3.00 each depending on type) resist corrosion for 20+ years and are essential for marine, coastal, and exterior applications. For buried or soil-contact applications, use galvanized or hot-dipped fasteners ($0.15–$0.80 each) to prevent underground corrosion.