Cleats Or Staples For Hickory Flooring

Most cleat nails are 16 ga.

Cleats or staples for hickory flooring. While speaking with flooring inspectors and flooring manufacturers at the nwfa in tampa fl this year the subject of flooring cleats vs. Those of certified flooring. Because each staple grips the wood with two prongs staples provide a tighter initial grip than cleat nails. In my opinion every installer should look at the 17 extra as an insurance policy against splitting tongues or in issues regarding the potential inability to allow for seasonal movement.

Another important thing to. Nails are available for installing engineered flooring. Always check the flooring manufacturer s instructions to see whether they recommend you use either staples or cleats. Installation requires a.

Hardwood flooring installers have used cleats for generations nailing 3 4 solid hardwood planks to a wooden subfloor with 2 nails formed with an l shaped head. Diy enthusiasts want to know which choice is best in the cleats vs staples argument. I have been using staples on all solid wood 3 4 in flooring accept exotics for 25 yrs never had no call backs pressure is key 80 to 85lbs is perfect for most applications on large jobs i never allow more than 2 guns on compressor will use 2 compressors when pressure is right staples are fine for most solid floor applications i use 18 g. The philly floor store stocks manual and pneumatic floor nailers from different vendors as well as staples and cleats.

Flooring staples came up a lot especially with the increase in engineered hardwood flooring sales. The cost difference cleat vs. Staples on this 500 sf room is only around 17. Or 18 ga but thinner 20 ga.

Pros and cons of using cleats for hardwood floor installation.