DRILL-TAP-FASTEN SHEET METAL FASTENER

Self Drilling Screws

A fastener with a built-in drill point that drills, taps and fastens steel sheet in a single pass — no pilot hole, no separate drilling step, just one operation from bare metal to a finished, sealed fixing.

No pre-drilling required
DIN 7504 / IS 18476 compliant
Bonded EPDM sealing washer options
Roofing, cladding and PEB fixing

Close-up of a self drilling screw with hex head and EPDM washer

QUICK PRODUCT SUMMARY

Self Drilling Screws at a Glance

A self drilling screw combines a hardened drill-point tip with a threaded shank on one fastener. Driven with a power tool, the tip bores through the steel first; once through, the thread immediately engages and pulls the fastener down tight — replacing what would otherwise be a two-step drill-then-fasten job with a single pass.

Construction

Hardened steel shank with an integral drill tip

Options

Hex, pan, countersunk and truss head styles

Applications

Metal roofing, cladding and steel framing

Also known as: Tek Screw • Self-Piercing Screw • Roofing Screw • Metal Screw

PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGES

Why Self Drilling Screws Are Specified

Self drilling screws are selected for steel-to-steel and sheet fixing work where speed, consistency and a sealed finish matter. Their suitability always depends on the drill point number, diameter, length and coating selected for the job.

No Pre-Drilling Needed

The built-in drill point removes the separate pilot-hole step entirely, cutting installation time on large roofing and cladding runs.

Consistent Hole and Thread Fit

Drilling and thread-forming happen in one continuous motion, giving a tighter, more repeatable fit than a separately drilled hole.

Weathertight Sealing

A bonded EPDM washer compresses under the head to seal the penetration point against water ingress on roofing and cladding fixings.

Corrosion-Resistant Coatings

Zinc, Ruspert and bimetal coatings protect the fastener against rust across outdoor and industrial exposure conditions.

Standardised for Reliability

Manufactured to DIN 7504 / IS 18476, giving predictable drill capacity and thread performance across every batch.

Wide Application Range

A single fastener family covers metal-to-metal, sheet-to-purlin and side-lap stitching needs across a roofing or cladding project.

HOW IT WORKS

One Fastener, Three Jobs in One Pass

A single self drilling screw drills its own hole, cuts a mating thread, and pulls the connection tight — all in the time it takes to run a power tool once.

The Drill Point Bores Through

The hardened tip drills into the steel first, cutting a clean pilot hole exactly the diameter it needs, with no separate drilling step or bit change.

The Thread Engages

Once the tip breaks through, the threaded shank immediately picks up in the fresh hole and begins cutting a matching thread as it advances.

The Head Seats and Seals

The screw draws the materials tight together as it seats; on roofing fixings, the bonded washer compresses under the head to seal the hole.

APPLICATION AREAS

Where Self Drilling Screws Are Used

Self drilling screws are used wherever steel sheet, cladding or framing needs a fast, consistent, single-pass fixing.

Roofing

Metal Roofing and Cladding

Hex head screws with EPDM washers fix roofing and wall sheets to purlins and girts with a weathertight seal at every point.

Self drilling screws used on a PEB structure roof and wall

PEB

PEB Roof and Wall Fixing

Structural-diameter screws fasten cladding sheets to cold-formed purlins and girts across pre-engineered steel buildings.

Self drilling screws stitching side laps between overlapping metal sheets

Roofing Detail

Side-Lap Stitching

Shorter self drilling screws join overlapping roof sheets at the side lap, preventing flutter, noise and capillary water entry.

Framing

Steel Framing and Ductwork

Used for metal stud framing, HVAC ductwork assembly and general metal-to-metal fabrication connections.

DRILL POINT SELECTION

Matching Drill Point to Steel Thickness

Picking the wrong point number is the single most common cause of a self drilling screw failing to seat correctly.

Drill Point	Steel Thickness Capacity	Common Use
Point 2	Up to 0.060" (22 gauge)	Light gauge roofing, thin sheet metal, HVAC ductwork
Point 3	0.060" to 0.190" (14 gauge)	Steel framing, metal building panels
Point 4	0.190" to 0.250" (10 gauge)	Heavy structural steel, thick metal panels
Point 5	Over 0.250" (¼" steel and thicker)	Heavy-duty structural connections

Note: a point too small for the steel will blunt before threading through; a point too large will create an oversized hole with poor thread engagement.

HEAD TYPES AND COATINGS

Head Style and Coating Options

Head style affects load distribution and finish, while coating grade determines how the fastener holds up against corrosion over time.

Hex Washer Head

The most common head for metal roofing, with an integrated washer bearing surface for load distribution and easy driving.

Countersunk (CSK) Head

Sits flush with the surface once driven, suited to applications where a smooth, low-profile finish is needed.

Pan and Truss Head

Lower-profile heads used for general sheet metal fixing and fabrication work where a washer face isn't required.

Zinc, Ruspert and Bimetal Coatings

Coating grade is selected based on exposure — from standard zinc plating to bimetal stainless-faced screws for harsh environments.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Self Drilling Screw Specifications

The exact specification varies by drill point, diameter, length and coating. Refer to the current technical datasheet for final project selection.

Material	Hardened carbon steel or bimetal stainless-faced steel
Standard	DIN 7504 / IS 18476 (equivalent to ISO 15482)
Head type	Hex washer, countersunk, pan or truss head
Drill point	Point 2, 3, 4 or 5, by steel thickness capacity
Diameter	Commonly 4.8mm to 8.0mm
Sealing washer	Bonded EPDM washer, where specified
Coating	Zinc, Ruspert or bimetal corrosion-resistant finish
Thread type	Coarse or fine, matched to base material thickness
Length	Selected per material thickness and thread engagement
Certification	BIS QCO certification applicable in India
Typical applications	Roofing, cladding, PEB fixing and steel framing
Installation method	Direct drive with a power tool, no pilot hole