Hiding exposed screws can be an important finishing touch when doing woodworking, construction, or home improvement projects. Exposed screws may look unsightly or ruin the aesthetic of your project. Luckily, there are several easy methods to conceal screws depending on your needs.
Page Contents
- 1 Why Hide Exposed Screws?
- 2 Materials Needed to Hide Exposed Screws
- 3 Methods to Hide Exposed Screws
- 4 Tips for Hiding Screws
- 5 Hiding Screws in Drywall
- 6 How to Hide Stains Around Screw Holes
- 7 Hiding Exposed Screws Outdoors
- 8 How to Hide Screws in Metal
- 9 Hiding Screws in Furniture
- 10 How to Hide Security Screws
- 11 How to Remove and Replace Hidden Screws
- 12 Conclusion
Why Hide Exposed Screws?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to hide exposed screws on a project:
- Improve aesthetics – Exposed screws and bolt heads can look messy and detract from a clean, finished look.
- Create a smooth surface – Hiding screws allows you to create a flush, seamless surface for a smoother finish.
- Safety – Concealed screws prevent sharp edges that could potentially snag clothing or cause injury.
- Prevent tampering – Hiding screws helps secure objects in place since the screw heads are not accessible.
- Weather resistance – Screw plugs and caps can seal and protect outdoor screws from water and elements.
No matter the specific reason, concealing fasteners is often an important step before considering a project complete.
Materials Needed to Hide Exposed Screws
Here are some of the basic supplies you’ll need to hide exposed screws:
- Screw caps or plugs – Plastic and wood screw caps that fit snugly over exposed screw heads to cover them.
- Wood filler – Filler like wood putty that can be used to fill over recessed screw holes.
- Wood matches – Veneer, toothpicks or wood matches to create filler plugs that match the surrounding wood.
- Dowels – Small wooden dowels cut to size can be glued into holes to conceal screws.
- Glue – Adhesive like wood glue to secure caps and filler plugs in place.
- Sandpaper – For smoothing and blending filler and plugs flush with the surface.
- Finishing supplies – Stain, paint, wax to finish filled holes and match the surrounding surface.
Purchasing a variety of screw caps and filler materials like plastic, wood and putty will allow you to match the best option to your project’s screw holes and wood type.
Methods to Hide Exposed Screws
Here are some of the most common and effective techniques to hide exposed screw heads:
Plastic Screw Caps
Plastic screw caps are a quick and simple solution. They come in a range of sizes and colors to fit different screw heads. To use:
- Select a plastic cap that fits snugly over the exposed screw head.
- Place a small amount of glue around the inside of the cap.
- Press the cap firmly over the screw head until the glue sets.
The cap covers the exposed screw, blending it smoothly into the surface. Make sure to match the cap color to your material. An advantage of plastic caps is they do not require drilling out the screw hole to fit.
Wood Screw Caps
For a more seamless, natural look, use screw caps made of actual wood. Here’s how:
- Choose a wood cap in the same species of wood as your project.
- Trim the cap height as needed to fit flush within the screw hole.
- Add glue into the hole and press in the cap until dry.
- Sand the cap smooth and flush with the surrounding surface.
- Stain or finish the cap to match the wood color.
Wood caps may take more effort to install but can better hide screws in wood furniture, trim, and fixtures.
Wood Filler Plugs
For a durable filled finish, plug holes with wood filler like these options:
- Wood putty – Knead putty to soften, press into hole, let dry, then sand smooth.
- Wood dough – Roll dough into a “snake”, press in hole, let dry, then sand.
- Slivers – Glue thin wood matches or toothpicks into the hole, break flush, then sand.
With these wood fillers, make sure to choose a filler color that matches your wood. Sand until smooth and finish the filled hole to blend with the surrounding surface.
Drive New Screws
Rather than fill existing holes, you can also:
- Remove the exposed screw.
- Fill the old screw hole with wood putty or dowel.
- Drill a new pilot hole adjacent to the old one.
- Drive in a new screw snug with the surface.
This completely conceals the original exposed screw. Just make sure the new location has enough structure to support the screw.
Tips for Hiding Screws
Follow these tips when concealing exposed screws for best results:
- Choose a hiding method that matches the size of your screw holes.
- Always use glue when inserting caps and plugs to keep them secured in place.
- Make flush with the surface by sanding caps and filler smooth.
- Match the color of caps, plugs, filler and finish to seamlessly blend.
- Use grain filler on open-grain woods to avoid a noticeable difference in pores before finishing.
- Consider drilling new pilot holes for hidden screws rather than filling old holes on finished surfaces.
- Take your time and blend carefully for a smooth, durable finish.
Hiding Screws in Drywall
Exposed drywall screws are common on walls and ceilings. To hide them:
- Drive screws slightly below the surface so the heads are recessed.
- Cover with spackle or drywall joint compound, let dry and sand smooth.
- Use a taping knife to blend compound over screw holes and seams for a seamless look.
- Finish by priming and painting walls for a clean finish.
Using joint compound rather than wood filler helps finsih drywall repairs smoothly. Remember to prime patched areas before paint. Proper drywall repairs keep walls looking flawless.
How to Hide Stains Around Screw Holes
Stains or natural wood discoloration may show around exposed screw holes. To hide this:
- Remove the screw and scrape away any loose wood fibers in the hole.
- Fill hole with closely matching wood filler.
- Tint filler with stain/dye to better match wood color.
- Overfill hole slightly, let dry, then sand completely flush.
- Consider using grain filler for open-grain woods before staining.
- Refinish or touch up stain around filled holes to blend color.
Matching the color and grain around screw holes takes patience. Filling then refinishing is key for an imperceptible repair.
Hiding Exposed Screws Outdoors
Outdoor projects with exposed screws require moisture-resistant solutions. Try these approaches:
- Use corrosion-resistant outdoor screws.
- Coat plywood and composite boards to avoid swelling behind screws.
- Choose outdoor wood filler formulated for moisture resistance.
- Use exterior wood glue when adhering caps and plugs.
- Consider clear silicone caulk for sealing outdoor screw caps.
- Use exterior stains and finishes to protect filled screw holes.
Proper treatment and maintenance are key to hiding outdoor screws long-term. Inspect regularly for cracks or swelling behind concealed screws.
How to Hide Screws in Metal
Exposed screw heads are common when joining metal fixtures, railings, and hardware. To hide metal screw heads try these techniques:
- Counterbore holes so screw heads sit flush with the surface.
- Use flat head screws which sit flush on their own.
- Hammer screw heads flush into the metal surface.
- Grind or cut off excess screw length so it’s flush.
- Use metal epoxy filler to cover countersunk screw heads before finishing.
- Paint, stain, or coat to conceal screws in fixtures and railings.
Proper countersinking is key for a smooth metal surface. Filling and finishing screws in metal furniture or fixtures will help hide blemishes.
Hiding Screws in Furniture
Exposed hardware can detract from elegant furniture and cabinetry. To hide screws in fine furnishings:
- Select screw locations carefully in less visible areas.
- Counterbore holes for flush screw heads.
- Plug holes with matching wood, then sand and finish for a smooth surface.
- Use wood putty or plastic wood to fill screw holes on finished surfaces.
- Conceal with screw caps stained to blend into the wood grain.
Taking time to properly conceal joinery creates a clean, seamless look in wood furniture. Occasionally reapply touch-up finishes to keep concealed screws looking subtle and flush.
How to Hide Security Screws
Specialty security screws with non-standard heads resist tampering. However, the unusual shape stands out. To better conceal security screw heads:
- Select security screws with common driver types like Torx or hex to appear more standard.
- Use security bolts with covered, capped or pinned heads.
- Install screws in hidden, less accessible locations.
- Cover access holes for recessed security screws with adhesive foil or putty.
- Use plastic caps, plugs or wood putty to hide non-standard screw heads.
Proper installation is key to maximizing security while keeping specialty screws subtle. Avoid overtly broadcasting the use of tamper-resistant fasteners.
How to Remove and Replace Hidden Screws
If needing to remove and replace previously concealed screws:
- Carefully pry off screw caps and plugs using a screwdriver and hammer if needed.
- For filled holes, re-drill pilot holes through the filler material.
- Remove and replace screws as needed.
- Clean out old filler material and wood dust from holes.
- Cut new filler plugs for recessed screw holes.
- Glue caps and plugs back into filled holes if still intact.
- Sand flush with surface and refinish.
Save any intact screw caps and plugs for reuse. Take care not to damage the surrounding finish when removing old filler. Refill and finish for a clean look.
Conclusion
Hiding exposed screw heads provides a cleaner finished appearance and helps protect fasteners. Plastic caps, wood plugs and filler make the process relatively simple. Just be sure to match colors, smooth surfaces, and properly seal materials for a durable, subtle result.
Taking the time to conceal visible screw holes and Hardware provides a more polished, professional look for woodworking, metal, and construction projects. With practice, you can confidently hide screws and achieve a flawless finished surface.