Flooring Staples Vs Cleat Nails

Nails are available for installing engineered flooring.

Flooring staples vs cleat nails.

Diy enthusiasts want to know which choice is best in the cleats vs staples argument. I started using cleats but the last two floors used staples i just get the feeling that the staples hold better not that there has ever been a problem with cleats. Nails and staples differ in their holding properties. Finding the optimum fastener can be confusing.

You can probably use staples to lay down the backer board under the hardwood floor if you re in a cold weather windy area this will help insulate the house by preventing airflow through the slots in the floorboard. Nails allow for a more natural expansion and contraction of the hardwood floorboards with fewer problems. Some hardwood flooring installers insist on using traditional cleats while others only use staples to secure solid hardwood. The tongues have been known to crack off and as a result the boards will tilt and squeak.

It also features a smooth portion of its body which allows for seasonal expansion and contraction of the flooring. As to the staples do not staple any hardwood floor. The staples hold the hardwood too well and don t allow the wood its normal seasonal changes. Or 18 ga but thinner 20 ga.

Staples are made from steel just like cleats. Use only the flooring nail also called cleats that were designed for this purpose. With staples you ll also have to nail in through the face thereby leaving marks all over the floor and ruining the appearance. If you are using a pneumatic nailer or stapler make sure the air pressure is set correctly for the particular wood.

A staple will give a stronger less forgiving hold because of its two pronged construction. I think both are great as long as install correctly that the biggest issue i see is people not putting enough fasteners into the floor. Pros and cons of using cleats for hardwood floor installation. With staples you get what you pay for.

Certain cleat nailer models are specifically designed for use with thin engineered hardwood flooring like the primatech q 550 18 gauge cleat nailer which can be used to install 3 8 to 3 4 tongue and groove flooring. A flooring nail or cleat is typically offered in either l head or t head variation check and see which variation your nail gun requires. Most cleat nails are 16 ga. When you follow the proper procedure for your fastener of choice you will get the best results possible.