Can You Use A Finish Nailer For Hardwood Floors

But when working with hardwood there is a unique and important consideration.

Can you use a finish nailer for hardwood floors.

If you re handy with a finish nail gun you can use it to install a hardwood floor. 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. The brad nails will not penetrate easily through the tough hardwood. A 16 gauge finish nailer is more than adequate to hold down 5 16 inch hardwood which is the usual thickness of retrofit panels.

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. Flooring nails have special qualities that make them suitable for the job. Use the specific gauge of nail recommended by the manufacturer. The higher the gauge number the thinner the nail.

The two gauges of nails typically used for hardwood floors are 16 and 18 gauge. 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. Hence many of you might want to know if you can use a finishing nail gun for flooring. In my experience a 15 gauge finish nailer can work well for hardwood floor installation.

The humble nail has a long history of craftsmanship behind every bag or box. A 15 gauge may initially appear to have the advantage in that a sturdier nail should logically afford a stronger fastener. Previous mryoucandoityouself video https youtu be z gg56guzwm th. Types of nails for laying hardwood floor.

Watch installing unfinished hardwood flooring.