Finish Nails For Flooring

Use the specific gauge of nail recommended by the manufacturer.

Finish nails for flooring.

To use this nailer position the nail shoe on the wood tongue at about a 15 degree angle downward and inward toward the plank. Set the nails 1 8 in. Use finish nails that are long enough to go through the subfloor if there is one. Nail heads usually are countersunk and the depressions filled with wood putty before the floor is sealed.

Finish nails or finishing nails are generally made of 15 or 16 gauge steel wire making them slightly thicker in diameter than brad nails. Finishing nailers are lighter than framing nailers and work well for assembling furniture and installing cabinets trim and moulding. The added thickness means that finishing nails create a stronger hold than brads. Freeman pfl618br pneumatic 3 in 1 15 5 gauge and 16 gauge 2 flooring nailer and stapler with case ergonomic and lightweight nail gun for flooring with padded grip long reach handle by freeman 149 22 149.

In terms of strength a finish nailer acts as a midway point between brad nailers and more heavy duty nail guns like framing nailers. Roofing nailers are specifically designed for applying roof shingles. 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. They are also smooth and thin enough to not split these narrow and thin pieces of wood.

The two gauges of nails typically used for hardwood floors are 16 and 18 gauge. Finishing nails are slender with a minimal head which is ideal for countersinking. Although you can secure inch plywood sheets to the joists in a subfloor with long nails you don t generally need extra long nails for the floor to stay in place. This makes them useful for heftier applications with thicker material such as cabinets or baseboards.

They are useful if you want to prevent splitting on moulding and wood surfaces. The higher the gauge number the thinner the nail. Nail into every joist to keep this row from moving when you tap in the next rows. Depress the nail shoe while holding the nailer carefully in place and pull the trigger.

Finishing nails also known as finish nails are strong enough to hold in place trim such as door jambs crown moulding and baseboards. Finish nailers are stronger than brad nailers but they not as strong as framing nail guns. Flooring nailers speed up installation of hardwood flooring. Staplers tackers and brad nailers are also lightweight and suited for precision work.

Face nail the first row close to the wall with either 8d finish nails predrill to avoid splitting or an air powered 15 gauge finish nailer to speed up the work.