What is a pancake head screw?
A pancake head screw has a very low, wide head with a large flat face underneath. That flat bearing surface spreads the load and sits close to flush, so anything laid over the fixing stays flat.
Why use a low profile head under plasterboard?
On metal stud, a standard raised head would push the board out and leave a bump. The pancake head sits almost flush against the steel, so plasterboard or sheet sits flat over the frame.
Do these screws self-drill?
Yes. The self-drilling point cuts its own hole through light gauge steel, so there's no separate pilot drilling on thin steel framing.
What thickness of steel can they fix?
They're made for metal-to-metal work in light gauge steel framing. For heavier or thicker sections, check the gauge against the screw's drill point before you commit.
What drive do they take?
A Phillips PH2 bit. Keep the bit seated and drive it straight for a clean, positive fit.
Are they suitable for exterior framing?
The silver organic coating is tested past 500 hours of salt spray, so they cope with damp and exterior framing during construction.