Can You Use A Finish Nailer For Hardwood Floors

Watch installing unfinished hardwood flooring.

Can you use a finish nailer for hardwood floors.

In my experience a 15 gauge finish nailer can work well for hardwood floor installation. Previous mryoucandoityouself video https youtu be z gg56guzwm th. Use the specific gauge of nail recommended by the manufacturer. Types of nails for laying hardwood floor.

The two gauges of nails typically used for hardwood floors are 16 and 18 gauge. If you re handy with a finish nail gun you can use it to install a hardwood floor. A finish nail gun designed for trim work shoots a near headless nail that does not mar the surface look of the wood which makes a finish nailer effective for installing hardwood floors as well. A 16 gauge finish nailer is more than adequate to hold down 5 16 inch hardwood which is the usual thickness of retrofit panels.

Flooring nails have special qualities that make them suitable for the job. A 15 gauge may initially appear to have the advantage in that a sturdier nail should logically afford a stronger fastener. For correct use make sure the tool s nail shoe is well positioned on the tongue angled at about 15 degrees inward and downward as if moving to the plank. That said it is much better to use a manual or pneumatic hardwood nailer they are easier to use faster does a better job and made for the specific application.

The brad nails will not penetrate easily through the tough hardwood. The higher the gauge number the thinner the nail. The humble nail has a long history of craftsmanship behind every bag or box. A finishing nailer will also do a decent job on the hardwood floor by shooting almost headless nails and it will leave no traces behind as you move.

To use this nailer position the nail shoe on the wood tongue at.