When it comes to fitting wood flooring, there are several options including glue-down, nail-down, staple-down, click system and floating. Which fitting method you choose will depend to a large extent on which floor you’ve chosen; whether you’re doing the job on a DIY basis or if you’re getting the professionals in and the make up of your subfloor.
If you’re working on a DIY basis, it may well be that you have a preferred option because you feel it is more within your skills set. While that’s all good and well, you still owe it to yourself to make sure you choose the most appropriate fitting method for your new floor and your existing subfloor. Failure to respect these fundamental elements could mean that your floor ends up damaged or has a reduced life expectancy.
Both nail-down and staple-down fitting methods are suitable for fitting new solid or engineered wood flooring, but each is really only recommended if you have a wooden subfloor. Irrespective of whether you have an old wooden floor that will serve as the subfloor of your new flooring, or if you have laid plywood over the original floor, you will be able to make the choice between nail or staples as the fitting method for your new floor. One thing to bear in mind if you are nailing or stapling your new floor over an old floor is to make sure that you lay the new boards perpendicular to the old boards (ie. in a crisscross fashion), otherwise your new floor risks getting damaged because it won’t be sufficiently stable. If you’ve fitted plywood over your old floor, you’ll have complete freedom of which direction you lay your boards, because the subfloor should be perfectly stable.
Irrespective of whether you nail down your floor or staple it, unless there is good reason not to, you should start by laying the first board at the edge of your room, working methodically towards the opposite side. No matter whether you’re nailing or stapling, with a tongue and groove floor, the ideal option is to use the hidden fixing technique whereby you insert the nails or staples into the tongue of the fitted board before you tap the next board into place.
As you’d imagine, to nail your floor into place, all you need is the right nails for the flooring you’ve chosen, together with a hammer. If you decide to go the staple route, then you’ll not only need the right size of staple, but you’ll also need a staple gun that’s powerful enough to drive your chosen staples through the tongue of your plank into your wooden subfloor. It’s important when choosing your staples that you choose a long enough option to ensure a stable fix to your subfloor, otherwise you could find yourself having to fix your floor before you know it.
When it comes to deciding whether nailing or stapling is going to be your best option, you might be tempted to automatically opt for the speed and convenience of stapling, but what do the experts have to say?
There’s no getting away from the fact that nailing down hardwood flooring has stood the test of time, whereas stapling is a relatively recent kid on the floor fitting block. Hardwood flooring installers have been nailing floors down for generations and many just accept this as the way things should be. For people who have been fitting floors for years, they’ll argue that there’s little to be gained time-wise by using staples. When it comes to getting a good fix on a nail down installation, it’s important to use a nice long nail to make sure it penetrates deeply enough into your subfloor, allowing for a bit of movement without the risk of damage. When it comes to price, there’s little difference between the two. But all of these views are those of the pros.
When it comes to DIYers, there’s no doubt that the push is on staples. With a pneumatic staple gun in hand and the right staples in the barrel, a DIYer will be able to get their pace up to pretty much that of a professional using nails, so it’s easy to see the attraction. So how on earth do you choose?
Here are our top tips for helping you decide between the two methods:
- Engineered wood flooring or thinner solid wood flooring is better suited to stapling than thicker, harder wood options.
- Thick engineered and solid wood flooring and species of flooring that are particularly hard are undoubtedly best nailed down.
- If you have a hammer and some nails, you’re ready for the nail down option because nailing doesn’t call for any special tools that you’ll either have to buy or hire.
- Some experts suggest that nailing results in a more ‘snug’ fit, which means that changes in temperature and humidity are less likely to result in long term damage.
- If in doubt, opt for the safest long-term solution.
How the two compare
Criteria | Nail-Down Method | Staple-Down Method |
---|---|---|
Method Description | This involves nailing the wood flooring to the subfloor. The nails are typically inserted into the tongue of the plank. | This involves stapling the wood flooring to the subfloor. The staples are driven into the tongue of the plank using a powerful staple gun. |
Suitable Subfloors | Ideal for wooden subfloors. The new boards should be laid perpendicular to the old boards (in a crisscross fashion) to ensure sufficient stability. | Ideal for wooden subfloors. The new boards should be laid perpendicular to the old boards (in a crisscross fashion) to ensure sufficient stability. |
Installation Time | May take more time compared to the staple-down method, especially for DIYers. | Generally quicker than the nail-down method, especially for DIYers using a pneumatic staple gun. |
Ease of Installation | Requires only a hammer and the right nails for the chosen flooring. | Requires a staple gun and the right size of staple. The staple gun should be powerful enough to drive the staples through the tongue of the plank into the wooden subfloor. |
Long-Term Stability | Some experts suggest that nailing results in a more ‘snug’ fit, making changes in temperature and humidity less likely to result in long-term damage. | May not provide as ‘snug’ a fit as the nail-down method. |
Suitability for Various Wood Types | Ideal for thick engineered and solid wood flooring, and species of flooring that are particularly hard. | Better suited to engineered wood flooring or thinner solid wood flooring. |
Additional Considerations | Nailing has been a traditional method of fitting hardwood floors, standing the test of time. | Stapling is a more recent method of fitting floors, gaining popularity among DIYers for its speed and convenience. |
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FAQ
What are the options for fitting wood flooring?
The options for fitting wood flooring include glue-down, nail-down, staple-down, click system and floating. The choice of method depends on the type of floor chosen, the method of installation (DIY or professional), and the subfloor’s makeup.
What are the considerations for choosing a fitting method for wood flooring?
When choosing a fitting method for wood flooring, you need to consider the type of floor you have chosen, the makeup of your subfloor, and your skill set if you are working on a DIY basis. It’s essential to select the most appropriate fitting method to prevent damage and ensure a long life expectancy for your floor.
When is the nail-down or staple-down method suitable for fitting wood flooring?
The nail-down and staple-down fitting methods are suitable for fitting new solid or engineered wood flooring, but they are recommended only if you have a wooden subfloor.
What is the procedure for nailing down or stapling down wood flooring?
To nail or staple down your floor, start by laying the first board at the edge of your room, working methodically towards the opposite side. With a tongue and groove floor, insert the nails or staples into the tongue of the fitted board before tapping the next board into place.
How do I decide between the nailing and stapling methods for fitting wood flooring?
Engineered wood flooring or thinner solid wood flooring is better suited to stapling, while thick engineered and solid wood flooring are better nailed down. If you have a hammer and some nails, the nail-down method can be more accessible as it doesn’t require special tools. Some experts suggest that nailing results in a more ‘snug’ fit, which can make the floor more resistant to temperature and humidity changes.