CATEGORY FAQS
Screws & Fixings FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about our screws, fixings, anchors and fastening products.
About Our Screws & Fixings
Our screws and fixings range includes everything you need for a secure installation – from wood screws and plasterboard fixings to anchors, wall plugs and specialist fasteners.
What's Included
Why It Matters
The right screws and fixings ensure your installations hold securely, last longer, and perform well in any environment.
Choosing the Right Screws & Fixings
How do I choose the right screw or fixing for the job?
The right fixing depends on the material you’re fixing into, the weight being supported and whether the installation is indoors or outdoors. Start by identifying the substrate – timber, plasterboard, masonry or metal – before selecting the appropriate screw, plug, anchor or fixing system. Our team are more than happy to offer expert advice on the most suitable fixings for your project.
Orion stocks a comprehensive range of trade-quality screws and fixings to help contractors from our branches at Peckham, South East London, and in Rochester, Kent choose the right solution first time.
What types of screws and fixings do you stock?
Orion supplies a wide range of wood screws and general-purpose screws, plasterboard fixings, metal fixings, nails and staples, and anchors.
Our range has been carefully selected to support maintenance, refurbishment, construction and planned works projects.
What's the difference between screws, wall plugs and anchors?
Screws provide the fastening, while wall plugs and anchors create a secure fixing within materials such as masonry, concrete or plasterboard.
Choosing the correct combination for the substrate helps improve holding strength, reduces failures and ensures a longer-lasting installation. The teams at our Rochester and Peckham branches can help you ensure to buy the most suitable fixings for your project.
How do I choose the correct screw size?
The correct screw size depends on the material being fixed, the thickness of the components and the level of load being supported.
Using the correct diameter and length helps achieve a secure fixing without damaging the surrounding material. Speak to our team at Peckham or Rochester to source the correct fixing to meet your requirements.
What screws and fixings should every maintenance contractor keep in stock?
A practical trade stock includes wood screws, general-purpose screws, plasterboard fixings, wall plugs, masonry fixings.
Orion Trade Supplies helps maintenance contractors and multi-trade teams working across London and Kent keep their vans stocked with the products needed for everyday repairs and refurbishment projects.
Installation & Application
Which fixings should I use for plasterboard/drywall?
Always use fixings designed specifically for plasterboard rather than relying on screws alone. Specialist plasterboard fixings provide improved grip and help safely support shelves, mirrors, radiators, cabinets and other fittings.
Orion Trade Supplies stocks fixing solutions suitable for both light and heavy-duty applications.
Can I use standard wood screws in plasterboard?
No. Standard wood screws are not intended to support loads directly in plasterboard and may result in insecure fixings.
Dedicated drywall screws and plasterboard fixings provide much greater reliability when installed correctly.
Do I need different screws for timber, masonry and metal?
Yes. Different materials require different fixing systems. Timber, masonry, concrete and metal each have unique characteristics, so selecting the correct screw or fixing helps improve strength, simplifies installation and reduces the risk of failure.
Orion Trade Supplies carries a wide range of fixings to cover all scenarios typically encountered by multi-trades contractors or maintenance teams.
Do I need different screws for indoor and outdoor projects?
Yes. External projects require corrosion-resistant screws and fixings that can withstand moisture and changing weather conditions.
Using the correct exterior-grade products helps prevent rust, staining and premature failure. Our Rochester and Peckham teams will be able to guide you to the best solution for your project.
Best Practice & Preventing Failures
Why do screws and fixings fail?
Fixings usually fail because the wrong product has been selected for the substrate, the fixing is undersized, or it has been installed incorrectly.
Choosing the appropriate fixing system helps reduce call-backs, improve safety and deliver a more reliable installation.
How can I avoid fixing failures on refurbishment projects?
Successful installations begin with identifying the substrate and selecting compatible fixings for the application.
Using quality products and following manufacturer recommendations helps reduce movement, pull-out and premature failure.
Why is using trade-quality fixings worth the investment?
Trade-quality screws and fixings are manufactured to provide consistent performance, reliable holding strength and easier installation. They help reduce maintenance issues, minimise call-backs and improve the overall quality of completed work.
Orion Trade Supplies’ main objective is to provide our customers with the highest quality products that deliver precisely what is required, and our Rochester and Peckham teams can help you identify that.
What are the most common fixing mistakes?
Common mistakes include using the wrong fixing for the substrate, choosing an incorrect screw length, failing to drill the correct hole size and using worn driver bits.
Taking a few moments to select the correct fixing can prevent costly rework later.
Screws & Fixings for Refurbishment & Social Housing
Which screws and fixings are most commonly used during void refurbishments?
Void property refurbishments regularly require wood screws, masonry fixings, plasterboard fixings, wall plugs, concrete anchors and general-purpose fasteners.
Orion Trade Supplies carries large stocks of the everyday fixings used by maintenance contractors carrying out fast-turnaround void works from our Peckham and Rochester trade branches.
What fixings are best for planned maintenance projects?
Planned maintenance often involves repeated installation of doors, kitchens, bathrooms, fixtures and fittings. Keeping a consistent range of trade-quality screws and fixings helps improve efficiency while reducing delays caused by missing materials.
Opening a Trade Account with Orion Trade Supplies is a good way to secure the best and most economical supply of these essential fixings.
Do you supply screws and fixings for social housing maintenance?
Yes. Orion Trade Supplies supports housing associations, local authorities and maintenance contractors with professional screws and fixings suitable for responsive repairs, planned maintenance and refurbishment projects. Our products are selected for durability, reliability and ease of installation.
Why do refurbishment contractors choose trade-quality fixings?
Reliable fixings help contractors complete installations efficiently while reducing the risk of failures, snagging issues and return visits.
Using dependable fixings products also helps deliver consistent results across multiple properties and planned works programmes.
Sourcing Reliable Screws & Fixings
Why do contractors buy screws and fixings from Orion?
Contractors choose Orion Trade Supplies because we stock the essential screws, fixings, anchors, plugs, bolts and fastening accessories needed for everyday repair, maintenance and refurbishment work.
With dependable stock availability, competitive trade pricing and knowledgeable support, we help keep projects moving across South East London, Kent and the surrounding areas.
Can I buy all my fixings, hardware and maintenance materials from one supplier?
Yes. Alongside screws and fixings, Orion supplies hardware, ironmongery, decorating materials, flooring, plumbing products, kitchens, doors, timber, tools and site consumables via our website or in our Rochester or Peckham branches.
Buying everything from one supplier helps reduce procurement time, simplify ordering and minimise project delays.
How can Orion help reduce project delays?
Missing fixings are one of the most common causes of unnecessary downtime on site. Orion maintains strong stock levels across our core trade ranges, allowing contractors to source everything they need from our Peckham and Rochester branches, with delivery and Click & Collect services available to keep projects running smoothly.
Do you offer Trade Accounts for contractors?
Whether you’re working on responsive repairs in South East London or planned maintenance programmes across Kent, our Trade Accounts are designed to simplify procurement and improve cash flow.
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