Q: How do Structural Screws compare to Lag Screws?
A: Structural screws are just as strong or even stronger than lag screws and they’re easier to use. Whereas lag screws require a pilot hole to be drilled before they can be driven, you can just zip in a structural screw to make a strong framing connection with any 18V driver (no pilot hole is necessary), which saves a lot of time and labor. The thinner shaft of the structural screw makes it easier to drive, and although they don’t look as beefy as the traditional lags, structural screws are made of stronger steel and are heat-treated for maximum durability. Structural screws also feature Torx drive heads in addition to traditional hex-head styles. The additional contact points of a Torx drive prevents the kind of “cam-out” you get with Phillips screws.
