What Kind Of Nails To Use On Hardwood Flooring

How to Choose the Best Hardwood Flooring Nailers

In this article:

What Is a Hardwood Flooring Nailer?

The Difference Between a Manual and Pneumatic Nailer

What Type of Fastener Does Information technology Use?

Boosted Considerations Earlier Choosing a Floor Nailer

• Weight, Ergonomics and Torso Material
• Await for Versatility
• Cost Range for Our Purposes
• Safety Features Yous Want
• Extras Tools and Features
• Length of Warranty

7 of the Almost Popular Wood Flooring Nailer Models

• one. BOSTITCH Flooring Nailer, 2-in-one BTFP12569
• 2. NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic iii-in-1Fasteners
• three. DEWALT Flooring Stapler, ii-in-1 tool
• 4. WEN 61741 4-in-1
• 5. Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic 3-in-1
• 6. Estwing EFL50Q Pneumatic ii-in-i
• seven. Porta-Nails 402A, 16-Gauge Transmission Hardwood Flooring Nailer

Better Speed and Accuracy

Choices, choices, choices... When it comes to buying a hardwood flooring nailer, at that place are ever choices. It boils downwardly to the little extras and variations that can tip the scales in favor of one model over some other based on personal preference.

Flooring nail guns all shoot cleats and staples into floors, but they may have slight differences or offer distinctive features from one model to the next.

Sure, you can smash every lath past mitt like craftsmen used to, but why? A hardwood floor nailer is super-fast.

How fast? Look at these Fastest Nailers 2019 Wood Floor Installation Champions . You lot don't get this kind of speed and accuracy without it. A forest floor nailer makes installing hardwood floors much easier and ensures that the nails get in at the right 45° angle every time.

If you're in the marketplace for a nailer, you're nearly to learn everything you need to make an informed decision. Plus, nosotros'll uncover all the nuances betwixt seven summit models so you can get the wood floor nailer that'south right for you.

Let's first with the basics.

What Is a Hardwood Floor Nailer?

A wood floor nailer is different other nail guns that drive a smash at a 90° angle from the base. They have just ane purpose, to bulldoze a nail, a.grand.a. cleat or staple at a 45° angle into a tongue and groove floorboard. It'south why they look so unique from other smash or staple guns.

A plunger forces the nail or cleats out of the end and into the lath's border, fastening it to the sub-floor. It guarantees a perfect angle and depth every time. The angle helps the smash push the board firmly confronting the side by side i likewise as fastening it to the floor.

These tools piece of work manually or pneumatically.

The Difference Betwixt a Manual and Pneumatic Nailer

Manual floor nailers are simpler simply require more force on your part. Nailers work when you lot strike the hammer cap with a safe mallet to set the nail. Pneumatic nailers also require a mallet to actuate them. However, the plunger acts as a trigger, and the airpower drives the cleat. Some models utilise a trigger instead of a mallet. With a pneumatic nailer, you can adjust the air pressure to accommodate the hardness and thickness of the flooring.

A discussion of caution. If a pneumatic nailer does not have dry fire protection, striking the hammer cap will fire a cleat, whether it'south on the floor or not.

Because pneumatic flooring nailers require compressed air, y'all'll need to purchase or rent the air compressor and hose to make it work. It's an additional expense, simply information technology saves wear and tear on your arms and worth the added cost. Unlike the manual nailers, information technology takes but i hit to the bumper to shoot the nails into the forest.

For DIYers on a pocket-sized budget, a manual nailer volition suffice. For large jobs, you'll demand a pneumatic. It'southward economical past saving time and your arms.

What Type of Fastener Does It Use?

There are ii types of fasteners for wood floors, cleats, and staples.

A cleat is a nail with the caput shaped like an "L" or sometimes a "T." They come up in 15.5, xvi, 18, and 20 gauges. For thin floors, the lightweight 20-guess is best. The most common lengths of staples or cleats are 1 ½ inches and 2 inches. To give you a meliorate idea, yous can run across a handy cleat depth chart hither .

The shaft of a cleat has barbs, so it can dig into and agree the wood. A short office at the top of the cleat is smooth. Information technology allows for the expansion of the wood without neat the tongue.

Almost contractors opt for the holding power of sixteen-guess cleats for hardwood floors. It'southward an fantabulous all-purpose fastener. Bank check with the flooring manufacturer for recommendations.

Pros of Cleats

• They are the most common fastener used for ¾ inch hardwood flooring.
• Best for harder woods on the Janka scale
• Let for better natural expansion and contraction of the woods

Cons of Cleats

• Can take longer to install a floor

The other fastener is a staple. Being "U" shaped, they have ii points of contact instead of 1. They tend to agree boards down tighter than cleats. Information technology can become a trouble in areas with loftier fluctuations in humidity as they don't let for as much movement. The lack of expansion could crack the forest at the tongue.

It'south OK to use staples when installing a medium density wood similar oak, simply they are non the all-time selection for tough forest similar maple or Brazilian cherry.

Pros of Staples

• Quite mutual and easy to find
• Like shooting fish in a barrel to load
• Faster to install flooring
• Nigh twenty% cheaper than cleats

Cons of Staples

• More likely to split the tongue of a higher density wood
• May not grip also as a cleat

 As usual, experts disagree on which fastener is all-time. Check with your floor manufacturer for their recommendation.

Boosted Considerations Before Choosing a Floor Nailer

There are some design features that you should consider before settling on a woods floor nailer.

Weight, Ergonomics and Torso Fabric

Nailers can range from 3.3 lbs upwards to xvi lbs. The trunk can be aluminum, steel, or both. If y'all can detect all the features you want in a lighter model, it will salvage your arms in the long run.

Another gene is the ergonomic blueprint of the handle. Handles with an free energy-absorbing rubber grip are more comfortable and won't vesture out the hand at the end of a long day of nailing. Look for a longer handle because it means less stooping and bending.

Look for Versatility

Some nailers merely utilise one specific fastener, while others can use both cleats and staples of varying lengths. If you lot can use the same tool for different jobs, then you lot save money from not buying a different nailer. 2-in-1 or 3-in-one nailers have added value because they can arrange to a variety of fasteners.

If you programme to install several types and thicknesses of hardwood floors, then you should opt for a nailer with more than versatility. Also, you'll desire one with adaptable base plates to suit both 1/2 inch and 3/four inch floors. Some models come with additional base plates while you must order separately for others. Be sure you have the correct base plate for your flooring chore.

Price Range for Our Purposes

For this article, we've grouped the pricing into 3 categories.

Low price - Under $100

Medium toll - $101 to $180

Premium price - $181 and Above

The cost should only exist i consideration of a quality flooring nailer. Check the reviews and ask around to get the consummate picture.

Safety Features You lot Desire

Some pneumatic models come up with a unique rubber characteristic called Dry Fire Lock Out. It prevents adventitious firing.

Ever wear rubber goggles when nailing. Some brands offering a free pair every bit office of the kit.

When working around compressors and compressed air, information technology'south still wise to use ear protection besides. And, you'll need piece of work gloves to forbid a monster cicatrice from using the mallet thousands of times.

Extras Tools and Features

Some nailers come up with everything yous need, while others are a la menu. Check to come across if the model you want includes:

• A mallet – You'll need information technology to align the boards and actuate the nailer
• Reload indicator – Helps keep the nailer from jamming by keeping it topped up
• Carrying example – Keeps everything organized
• Safety goggles – Don't nail without them
• Oil – Near nailers demand lubrication. Make up one's mind if you take the right oil before starting
• All Adjustment tools – Check the manual to see what tools are necessary and if they come up with the nailer

A quality nailer should replenish everything y'all need to utilise the tool. Check before you order or leave the store. Having everything in one case is a definite plus when the task is miles from the nearest hardware shop.

Length of Warranty

You'll observe limited warranties for workmanship from equally little as 90-days (WEN) to as much as ten years (Porta-Nails). The companies that provide the longest extended warranties are apt to make the best quality tools.

By now, y'all should know the features that you desire in a floor nailer. Hither are 7 models for your reference.

vii of the Most Pop Forest Floor Nailer Models

one. BOSTITCH Floor Nailer, 2-in-one BTFP12569

• Fasteners – xv.5 GA flooring staples or sixteen GA L cleats from one 1/2 inch to ii inches length
• Power - Pneumatic
• Weight – 10.2 lbs (four.6 kg)
• Warranty – 7 years
• Price Range – Premium
• Extra Features – Interchangeable not-marring base of operations plates for i/2 inch (12.7 mm) through 3/4 inch (xix.1 mm) flooring, mallet, wrenches, and ane/4 inch (6.iv mm) air fitting with dust cover. It also features an ergonomically designed long handle with a comfy rubber grip.

2. NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic 3-in-1Fasteners

• Fasteners – 16-gauge T-cleats and L-cleats and 15.5-guess 1/ii-inch crown staples. Accepts lengths from 1-one/two inch to 2 inches for all three types of fasteners
• Power – Pneumatic, Operating Pressure 70 – 110 PSI
• Weight – 16 lbs (7.3 kg)
• Warranty – one Yr express tool warranty and 30-mean solar day wearable parts warranty
• Cost Range – Medium
• Extra Features – Has a semi-quick release for easier access to the drive blade to clear jams, a magazine comprehend for smooth fastener feeding, and an improved base plate design. Magazine capacity 90 – 120 Staples

3. DEWALT Floor Stapler, two-in-i tool

• Fasteners – 15.5ga Staples and 16ga "L" Cleats
• Power – Pneumatic, 70 – 100 PSI
• Weight – 10.two lbs (4.six kg)
• Warranty – 3-year, 1-year free service & 90-day money-back guarantee
• Price Range – Premium
• Extra Features – Magazine capacity – 100, Interchangeable, non-marring base plates (1/two inch, 5/eight inch, 3/iv inch)
  

4. WEN 61741 4-in-i

• Fasteners – 18-gauge brad nails from 5/eight inch to 2 inches long, 1/4 inch, narrow-crown staples from 1/two inch to 1-five/8 inch long
• Ability – Pneumatic, lx to 100 PSI
• Weight – iii.iv lbs (1.v kg)
• Warranty – 2 years (90-days if for commercial utilize)
• Price Range – Low
• Extra Features –  A 100-boom capacity mag, rubber grip, can also use to install crown molding, an adjustable air exhaust, quick-release olfactory organ for piece of cake jam immigration, carrying instance, two hex keys, a removable not-mar tip for finishing applications, plus oil.

v. Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic 3-in-one

• Fasteners – sixteen Gauge Glue Collated Flooring T and 50 Cleats, and 15.five Guess Glue Collated 1/2" Crown Flooring Staples from 1-one/ii inch – 2 inch
• Power – Pneumatic, 70 – 110 psi
• Weight – eleven.5 lbs (5.2 kg)
• Warranty – 7 years
• Toll Range – Medium
• Extra Features – Mag capacity; T and L Cleats: 100 pcs / Staples: 90 – 120 pcs, comes with a carrying case, no-mar white safe flooring mallet, rubber goggles, oil, and adjustment tools.
  

half dozen. Estwing EFL50Q Pneumatic 2-in-1

• Fasteners – Compatible with generic brands of 15.5-estimate staples and sixteen-gauge L-cleats from i-one/2 inch – 2 inches
• Power – Pneumatic, seventy psi – 115 psi
• Weight – 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
• Warranty – 5 Year Professional Tool Warranty, 90-day clothing parts
• Toll Range – Premium
• Actress Features – Sheet conveying handbag, tool-free quick jam release, ergonomically-designed handle, and lite strike bumper helps reduce fatigue, Fiberglass mallet with a rubber head, and three, non-marring floor plates – 3/iv in, five/eight in and 9/xvi inch
  

vii. Porta-Nails 402A, 16-Gauge Manual Hardwood Floor Nailer

• Fasteners – Uses two inch and 1-1/2 inches T-Headed 16 Ga cleats
• Ability - Manual
• Weight – 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
• Warranty – x year
• Price Range – Premium
• Extra Features – Extension handle, mallet, angled shoe for 5/viii inch to 3/32 inch natural language and groove flooring, wrenches, and a carrying case, ratcheting ram allows for single or multiple hits, 100 nail chapters. Additional shoes available: Face Nail Shoe, Thin Flooring Shoe (3/8" to 9/sixteen inch solid wood floors) and Bamboo Flooring Shoe (five/8 inch horizontal or vertical grain)

Using a wooden floor nailer is the best way to install a hardwood floor. The enormous advantage is that information technology drives the fastener in at a consistent angle every fourth dimension.

Better Speed and Accuracy

A manual nailer is less expensive to own or rent, only in that location are fewer models from which to cull. Most models today are pneumatically powered and will help yous work faster. If you lot have a big floor or plan to install multiple floors, pneumatic is your best option.

No matter which forest floor nailer you choose, information technology volition always meliorate the speed, accuracy of the nailing, and quality of the finished floor. For recommendations, look at Amazon reviews for the model you like. Additionally, inquire a question in a DIY flooring forum, similar Be The Pro , to meet what experienced users take to say.

Review the primary considerations for choosing the best hardwood floor nailer above, and you should have no trouble finding the correct tool for you.

Don't Go Ripped Off At the Flooring Store!

This is how much your existent solid hardwood flooring will cost:

735 sq ft

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Flooring

$v,530.63

49 Boxes - Natural Oak - 5" x 3/iv"

Choose an selection:

Natural Oak - 5" x 3/4"
Gunstock - five" x iii/4"
Greywash - 5" 10 three/4"
Rustic Smoke Stain - 5" x 3/4"
Rustic White Bleach - five" x three/4"

Underlayment

$440.00

iv Rolls - Noise Guard 2mm Foam Pad

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Noise Guard Premium 2mm Cream Pad - Vapor barrier and audio isolation
No underlayment

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$5,970.63

• All flooring is 3/4" thick solid white oak (non laminate or engineered)
• Suitable to install over concrete slab
• In-stock items are delivered to your curbside in vii-14 days (continental United states only)
• Easily install yourself, or rent an expert

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