ᐅ Which screws are more durable than the original ones used in Billy furniture?

Hello everyone,

I recently completely disassembled and reassembled a Billy bookshelf. I noticed that the original screws tend to rust and sometimes deform quite quickly over time, which is especially problematic with frequent renovations or remodeling.

My question is: which screws are more durable than the original ones used for Billy bookshelves?

I am specifically referring to the screws typically used for assembling and connecting the shelves, not the small nails or dowels. Important factors for me are corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and ease of handling during installation.

Does anyone have experience or recommendations? Are there screw types made from other materials (e.g., stainless steel or galvanized) that perform better without making the bookshelf unnecessarily heavy or expensive?

Thanks in advance for any input!

Fonafu schrieb:
The original screws tend to rust quite quickly over time and sometimes become deformed

For me, the main issue is the workmanship, not always the material. Still, stainless steel screws of A2 grade are durable and hardly rust. Galvanized screws also work well but are not quite as long-lasting.

If you’re building furniture for good weather only, standard screws are fine. For long-term use, stainless steel is definitely the way to go.

I would like to go into some detail here, as the topic of “durable screws for Billy shelves” definitely deserves more depth.

First of all, it is important to consider the different requirements: mechanical load, corrosion resistance, and ease of handling.

The original screws for Billy shelves are usually zinc-plated, which provides surface-level rust protection but does not always withstand scratches or moisture over time. Stainless steel A2 (also called V2A) offers the advantage over zinc-plated steel that the material is more corrosion resistant, especially in humid environments.

Even better are stainless steel A4 screws (V4A), made from a chromium-nickel-molybdenum alloy, which makes them extremely resistant to aggressive environments, especially compared to the original screws. The downside is that they are significantly more expensive and harder to work with.

Regarding mechanical strength, screws with strength classes 4.8 or 5.8, which are usually used in these types of furniture, are sufficient. For replacements, I recommend using screws with at least the same strength to ensure the shelf remains stable.

The type of screw head is also important: cross-head (Phillips) or Torx designs provide better grip during multiple assemblies and cause less wear on the screw head.

Lastly, a note on length and diameter: these should match the original screws exactly so that the load distribution is correct and no damage occurs to the back panel or the drilled holes.

My recommendation: for normal living spaces, use stainless steel A2 screws with Torx heads, matching the original length and diameter. For humid rooms, definitely opt for A4.

Have you already tried this? Where exactly do you place the screws?

Are there specific areas that concern you more?

kaubi schrieb:
Stainless steel A2 screws with Torx head

I can confirm that. A2 is sufficient, and Torx makes screwing in easier.

I also had the problem of rusty screws with my Billy. Since then, I mostly use galvanized Torx screws from the hardware store, which really last longer than the originals and are easy to get.

Besides, the shelf looks somehow cleaner with the silver screws 😄.

You just have to be careful that they’re not too long, otherwise there will be issues with the back panel.