Flooring Nailers

Flooring nailers drive cleats or staples at an angle through the tongue of hardwood flooring boards into the subfloor, hiding the fastener under the next board. Most are pneumatic tools struck with a mallet, while some are manual nailers that need more force but no compressor. The first decision is the fastener type, because cleat nailers and staplers hold differently and some flooring makers specify one or the other in their warranty.

Board thickness and adapters are the next question. Each nailer handles a range of flooring thicknesses, and interchangeable base plates adapt it to thinner boards. Using the wrong plate can damage the tongue or set the fastener at the wrong depth. Check the board thickness of your flooring before choosing a tool.

Mallet and compressor matter in daily use. A pneumatic nailer needs a compressor that delivers enough air at the working pressure, and a good rubber mallet that sits comfortably in your hand. Some nailers are sold as kits with a mallet, plates and a case.

Before buying, check the fastener type and sizes, the board thickness range, the included plates, the air requirement and whether a mallet comes with it. Rent a nailer for a single room project if you will not use it again, and check the flooring manufacturer's instructions for fastener spacing and type. Wear knee pads and eye protection, and keep a hand nailer or a brad nailer for the first and last rows, where the main nailer does not fit.

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