An Introduction To Washers (Video)

In the video below, we discuss our washers range of flat, repair and square plate washers; explaining how they are used and discussing specification details.

What are the different types of Washers?

Washers are handy little metal plates that thread onto a screw or bolt, distributing the load over a wider area. They prevent fasteners from loosening over time as they provide friction and resistance to rotation. They can also be used as spacers if your fastener is slightly too long, and prevent damage to the surface of the material that you are fixing into.

We stock a few different types of washers. They all function in the same way, but some can be better suited than others to different types of material.

Flat Washers

Flat Washers are the most basic type of washer. They come in a range of different thicknesses and diameters - the most common of these is Form A.

Flat Washers can be used for most applications. We stock them in a range of diameters from M1.6 to M48, and they come with a wide range of finishes depending on the type and size required.

Repair Washers

Repair Washers (also called Mudguard or Penny Washers) are flat and round like a Flat Washer, but they have a much larger outer diameter. This helps them to either spread the load or to fill gaps in the substrate.

Because of their increased surface area, Repair Washers spread the load of a screw or bolt over a much larger area than a regular Flat Washer. This makes them very useful when you're working with weak or damaged materials.

Our range of Repair Washers are available in a wide range of diametes from M3 to M30. These come in a variety of different pack sizes and are supplied in a range of finishes depending on the diameter and type required.

Square Plate Washers

Square Plate Washers are useful if you need to clamp a larger surface that can’t be clamped by a Repair Washer. They are much thicker than a round washer at 3mm thick. This makes them ideal for working with timber.

We supply Square Plate Washers in diameters ranging from 6mm to 16mm. These are made from Bright Zinc Plated Steel and come with a Clear Passivation finish.

How do I install a Washer?

Installing a washer is an easy task. Simply thread your fastener of choice through the washer, and then fix it into the substrate as you normally would until it is firmly set against the surface.

If you have any questions that weren't answered in this article or need some advice, please click here to speak to someone from our team.