Looking into a nailer for your hardwood floor install job? Choosing the right nailer is crucial for a successful project. This guide simplifies the process of selecting the right hardwood flooring nailer for installing hardwood flooring, from manual to pneumatic and 16-gauge to 18-gauge.
Table Of Contents:
- Our Hardwood Flooring Nailer Guide: Types and Considerations
- Understanding Nail Gauges and Sizes
- Matching the Nailer to Your Flooring
- FAQs about Flooring Nailers
- Conclusion
Our Hardwood Flooring Nailer Guide: Types and Considerations
There are two main types of flooring nailers that can use nailes or crown staples, and they are manual or pneumatic. A manual nailer enhances your physical strength used on swinging a mallet to drive the nails or staples through your floooring plank and subfloor. Pneumatic flooring nailers use compressed air to drive cleats, staples, or L-shaped nails for a faster and easier installation with these power tools. Product links in this blog are affiliate links that we can make money from new nailer flooring purchases. No extra cost is added from these links.
Manual Nailers Enhance Your Arm Power
Manual nailers allow you to set the correct alignment and angle of each nail or staple with precision and control. This makes them a great option for professionals and not so much for DIYers with smaller projects or detail work. Using a manual nailer for a one-time hardwood flooring installation would be very expensive and a bit exccessive, unless you can rent one at a local department store. A manual nailer works better for new build construction sites since electricity may not be available to power any tools.
Pneumatic Nailers
Pneumatic nailers are the preferred tool for serious DIYers and professional flooring installers. They are known for their speed and efficiency on larger installations. There is a big learning curve for beginners, plus pneumatic hardwood floor nailers need an air compressor and hoses . Here are some compressor options that you can buy.
A flooring tool like this is a large purchase. Pneumatic nailers vary but all modern options accept multiple nail sizes and even accept nails, staples, and cleats. Look for special features like quick jam release to make your install easier if you're new to this project.
Pro-Tip from Ted #1: Your Compressor Matters. A common DIY mistake is using a small "pancake" air compressor that can't keep up. For consistent results, you need a compressor with at least a 4-gallon tank that can maintain 90 PSI. If the pressure drops, your nails won't be set properly.
The Pro Debate: Flooring Cleats vs. Staples (Which is Better?)
Once you choose a pneumatic nailer, you have another choice: the fastener. This is where pros have strong opinions, and for good reason.
- Flooring Cleats (L-Shaped Nails): These are the traditional choice for solid hardwood. Their shape allows the wood to expand and contract naturally with seasonal humidity changes, reducing the risk of squeaks and board stress.
- Flooring Staples (16-Gauge Crown): Staples have more holding power because of their two-pronged design. This makes them an excellent choice for holding down thinner engineered hardwood planks, but they can sometimes be too restrictive for solid wood, potentially leading to issues if the wood needs to move.
Our Recommendation:
- For Solid Hardwood (3/4"): Always use Flooring Cleats.
- For Engineered Hardwood (3/8" to 5/8"): High-quality 16-gauge staples are a fantastic, secure option.
Understanding Nail Gauges and Sizes
Nail gauge refers to the nail's thickness. The right gauge is critical to avoid damaging the wood. It also ensures all plank are held down securely.
15-gauge
This is a thick gauge of nail that offers strong holding power. This makes it perfect for thicker, 1/2" solid hardwood planks. Avoid using this size for thinner 5/8" thick or thinner more fragile boards and veneers as they might crack or split. Use a 2 inch long nail on 1/2" thick hardwoods.
16-gauge
The 16-gauge nail, staple, or cleat is slightly thinner. This is a common choice because it is compatible with 1/2", 5/8", or even 3/8" thick wooden planks. This is a perfect gauge for most engineered hardwood floors on the market. It balances holding power and versatility.
We reccommend 16 gauge crown staples for most hardwood less than 1/2" thick. Use a 1-1/2" thick long staples or nails for 5/8" thick planks. A 3/8" engineered floor can take a 1-1/4" long nail or staple.
18-gauge
This gauge is ideal for thinner or prefinished flooring where a smaller hole is needed. This is especially good for fragile pr thin products where a clean finish is more important than the strength of the fasteners. The small holes left from 18 ga fasteners are easy to not notice.
Matching the Nailer to Your Wood Floors
Choosing a hardwood floor nailer depends on your floor. You'll want to factor this in to get the most out of your purchase.
Solid Hardwood typically requires 15 or 16-gauge nailers with 2” nail lengths. This gives a solid hold to the subfloor. These hardwoods can be 1/2” thick to 5/8" thick.
Solid hardwood can come prefinished or unfinished. Unfinished allows for custom coloration and texturing.
Engineered Hardwood often requires 16-gauge nails or cleats specifically designed for engineered flooring. Engineered hardwood usually has thinner planks, ranging from 5/8" to ⅜”. Some real quality engineered flooring will have ½” planks.
Engineered cores are made from plywood layers stacked on top of each other. This construction makes it more resistant to moistire, weather, or enviromental changes. Find flooring cleats or staples designed for engineered hardwood. They often come prefinished engineered to save time.
A rental property with a hardwood floor will always nail a floor for installation due to the high chance of replacement in the future. Don't glue down a wood floor for a rental unless you have to due to a concrete subfloor. It is important to consider the realistic longevity of your new floor.
Matching nail length to flooring thickness prevents damage to your new flooring and subfloor. This is important for securing your floor installation and fastening. This is important for preventing issues like floor squeaking and gapping.
Pro-Tip from Ted #2: Always Test Your Depth. Before you nail your first plank, take a scrap piece of your flooring and test the nailer's depth setting. You want the fastener to sit perfectly in the nail pocket without damaging the tongue or the top edge of the board. Adjust and test until it's perfect.
The Ultimate Hardwood Nailing Cheat Sheet
| Flooring Type | Thickness | Recommended Fastener | Gauge | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Hardwood | 3/4" | L-Cleat Nail | 15 or 16-Gauge | 2" |
| Engineered Hardwood | 1/2" to 5/8" | Staple or L-Cleat | 16-Gauge | 1-1/2" |
| Thin Engineered Hardwood | 3/8" | Staple | 18-Gauge | 1-1/4" |
FAQs about Floor Nailers
What type of nailer is used for hardwood floors?
Both manual and pneumatic nailers are used for hardwood floors. Each has its own pros and cons. Manual nailers are ideal for smaller areas.
They provide more control. Pneumatic nailers speed up large installations and can come as cleat nailers or even as staples.
Can I use a nail gun to install hardwood floors?
Using a standard nail gun for hardwood floors may not be appropriate. Specialized hardwood floor nail guns are needed to produce high-quality results.
These nail guns offer appropriate force and fastening with the proper profile and density for adhesion. They should also have fasteners compatible with your product's thickness.
What size nails do I use for 3/4 inch hardwood planks?
For ¾” hardwood flooring, use a 15.5 or 16-gauge nail. These should be between 1 ½” and 2” long. Use a nail type designed for dense material flooring.
L-shaped nails, T-shaped nails, or staples might be best depending on wood species, expected humidity, traffic, and subfloor composition. The wood floor nailer and the gauge flooring will impact which nail sizes will work.
What kind of nail is best for hardwood floors?
The best nail type for hardwood floors depends on several factors, such as the floor type. The installation method will also determine the best type of nails to use.
Cleats or L-cleats are often recommended for solid hardwood installed using pneumatic nailers. Staples are another option. Consider quality tools and safety products with any floor repair. If you need any installation tools check those out before you start. Don't forget about the floor prep either and stock up on floor cleaners, buffer pads, edger discs, wood putty and more for when you get the wood flooring nailer.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hardwood nailer isn't about finding the most expensive tool, it's about making a smart match for your specific project. For most DIYers installing engineered hardwood, a pneumatic 16-gauge nailer that accepts staples is a versatile and efficient choice. For traditional 3/4" solid hardwood, a pneumatic nailer that drives 2" L-cleats remains the professional standard.
By understanding the difference between cleats and staples, matching the nail gauge to your wood floor thickness, and always testing your setup on a scrap piece, you can achieve a secure, professional-quality installation that will last for decades.
