TOOL ADVICE


Recommended Size for Nails and Staples

Most manufacturers allow the use of either nails or staples, but you should always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for proper nail/staple size for a particular floor. We recommend nailing or stapling every 6-8 inches along the tongue of every board, staying in approx 4 inches from each end of the floorboard.

As a rule of thumb, the recommended sizes below apply.


It is recommended to use 1-1/2 IN. long cleat nails when installing the thinner 1/2 IN. thick wood flooring.

It is recommended to use 1-3/4 IN. long cleat nails when installing 3/4 IN. solid wood flooring, when 3/4 IN. thick plywood is applied directly over a concrete slab --- so the cleat nail does not go through the 3/4 IN. thick plywood, hitting the concrete.

It is recommended to use 2 IN. long cleat nails when installing 3/4 IN. solid wood flooring over a wood subfloor with floor joists. The 2 IN. long cleat nail can also be used when installing 3/4 IN. flooring over two layers of 1/2 IN. plywood.



It is sometimes recommended to use 1-1/2 IN. long staples when installing the thinner 1/2 IN. thick solid wood floors ["per manufacturer's recommendation"].

It is recommended to use 1-3/4 IN. long staples when installing 3/4 IN. solid wood flooring, when 3/4 IN. plywood is applied directly over a concrete slab --- so that the staple does not go through the 3/4 IN. plywood, hitting the concrete.

It is recommend to use 2 IN. long staples when installing 3/4 IN. solid wood flooring over a wood subfloor structure with floor joists, or also when installing 3/4 IN. flooring over two layers of 1/2 In plywood.



For Engineered Flooring and Thinner Solids ...

For the AS 4090 HighPro Pneumatic Flooring Stapler --- there are 3 different staple sizes available [1 IN., 1-1/4 IN., and 1-1/2 IN.]
  • For thinner 1/4 IN. to 5/16 IN. thick floors, it's recommended that you use 1 IN. to 1-1/4 IN. long staples.
  • For 3/8 IN. to 1/2 IN. thick floors, it's recommended to use 1-1/4 IN. to 1-1/2 IN. long staples.
  • For 5/8 IN. thick floors, it's recommended that you use 1-1/2 IN. long staples.