ᐅ Are there better screws than the originals for assembling the Ikea Brimnes?

Hello everyone,

I am about to start assembling my Ikea Brimnes unit and am wondering if there might be better alternatives to the original screws included in the package. My main consideration is whether higher-quality screws, for example in terms of material quality, corrosion resistance, or manufacturing precision, would make the assembly more stable or durable—especially since I want to use the cabinet long-term and minimize any need for later adjustments.

Does anyone have practical experience or recommendations? Are there screws you have found significantly better than the original Ikea sets for the Brimnes from your experience? I am specifically not referring to completely different fastening methods, but only comparing types of screws—be it in screw type, coating, or strength grade.

I appreciate any advice!

Hello Bulau,

I can understand your reasoning well. The original screws from Ikea are usually adequately sized and matched to the furniture, but they are not necessarily of premium quality. Many here recommend stainless steel or galvanized screws for improved stability and to prevent rust, especially if the cabinet will be placed in relatively damp rooms.

It is also important to use screws with the appropriate strength grade, such as grade 8.8, to better withstand tensile and compressive forces. If you plan to upgrade anyway, also pay attention to a suitable screw head that allows good torque to prevent slipping during assembly.

If you decide to upgrade, you can use the original screw as a reference and then choose a similar shaft diameter and length at your local hardware store.

Hope this helps for now!

Bulau, your question makes a lot of sense, especially if you are aiming for long-term stability.

In general, the screws provided by Ikea are sturdy but not ideal for high stress or changing environmental conditions. Stainless steel V2A screws offer a good balance of strength and corrosion resistance. Additionally, I would recommend investing in higher-quality screws with fine threads and precise manufacturing.

Make sure the screws are not too hard (not steel grade 10.9 or higher) to avoid damaging the furniture material. Another tip: when you retighten the screws, higher-quality ones reach their optimal holding strength faster and show less early fatigue.

If you want to reinforce the cabinet in particularly stressed areas, chipboard screws with a larger thread diameter are worth considering.

I have always used stainless steel screws with the Brimnes. No chance of rust, and they are also more durable. Everything else is overkill for typical home use.

BARSAN schrieb:
I have always used stainless steel screws for the Brimnes. No chance of rust, and they are also more durable.

Thank you for your assessment! How exactly do you evaluate the screw thickness? The Brimnes is mostly fastened with relatively thin screws. Would you recommend using stainless steel screws of the same diameter and length, or rather going one size thicker?

I’m asking because I’m concerned that screws that are too thick might put too much stress on the wood – but screws that are too thin might not hold well enough.

Basically, for furniture like Brimnes, I would use the original screws as long as they show no signs of damage or rust. If you want to be on the safe side in humid rooms, stainless steel or galvanized replacement screws are worth considering. Just make sure to measure the dimensions precisely so they fit correctly and don’t cause the material to crack.

If you’re unsure, check the strength grade before purchasing: 8.8 is standard and sufficient for wood screws in this type of furniture.

A tip for assembly: always pre-drill with a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw diameter to prevent the wood from splitting easily.