ᐅ Why do drywall screws come loose so quickly?

Lately, I have repeatedly encountered issues with confirmat screws loosening after a relatively short period, even though they are generally known for providing reliable fastening. My question is: why do confirmat screws—especially those commonly used in furniture—loosen so quickly?

I have noticed that the loosening often occurs without any visible external forces, such as load or vibrations. I assume that the material or design plays a role. Additionally, I am curious whether the method of installation or environmental factors like temperature or humidity might worsen the problem.

Does anyone have experience or expert knowledge about why confirmat screws often need retightening and if there are any tips to prevent them from loosening? Thanks in advance for your insights and explanations!

joaquin6 schrieb:
Why do Malm screws [...] come loose so quickly?

That’s a great question, which sometimes annoys me with my Ikea shelf too 🙂 Malm screws are actually designed to provide good clamping force, but unfortunately, they are also known for a few weak points.

Often the issue is that the threaded holes in the panels are relatively soft, usually MDF or particle board, so traditional screws don’t achieve the same holding strength as they would in solid wood. If you tighten the screws too much or screw them in and out too often, the threads basically wear out and the clamping force decreases.

Additionally, with furniture like Malm that is relatively lightweight and sometimes moved around, a certain amount of tension acts on the joints, which over time contributes to loosening. You could almost say it’s a combination of material fatigue and the dynamic load from everyday use.

A small tip: if it really bothers you, you could try improving the grip by adding a few drops of wood glue into the holes — this isn’t an official recommendation, but it sometimes helps 😉

keelko schrieb:
the threaded holes in the panels are relatively soft

That is exactly the point. MDF and particleboard have significantly lower density and mechanical strength compared to solid wood. The holes for Malm screws are often made directly into this material, which can cause the thread to strip quickly.

Another factor that is often overlooked is the settling behavior of the wood, meaning slight movements under load can cause the screw to slowly loosen. This is especially common in furniture that is designed to be more flexible or is regularly moved.

To counteract this, it is advisable to avoid applying excessive force during installation, tightening the screws only as firmly as necessary but not more than needed. Alternatively, using threaded inserts or metal sleeves to reinforce the threads can be a very effective solution, particularly for furniture assembled with Malm screws.

joaquin6 schrieb:
why Malm screws need to be retightened more often and if there are any tips to prevent them from loosening?

To address this specific question precisely: The main issue with Malm screws lies in the combination of the soft material (MDF or particleboard) and the standard type of construction used. These screws are usually flat-head screws or connector fittings that neither have a self-locking thread function nor a mechanism to prevent loosening.

The material behavior leads to loosening due to material fatigue and micro-movements. Additionally, most of these screws lack a mechanical lock against turning out. Therefore, retightening after some time is unavoidable.

In practice, you can do the following to reduce loosening:

- Use lock washers, spring washers, or thread-locking adhesive (such as Loctite or similar)
- Ensure a consistent and appropriate tightening torque during installation
- If possible, use metal threaded inserts to improve thread quality

These measures can largely compensate for the typical weaknesses of the material and screw types. For furniture that is frequently moved or subjected to loads, such precautions are recommended.