T Nails Vs L Nails Flooring

Manual floor fasteners always use cleat nails but pneumatic models come with two options.

T nails vs l nails flooring. Nails and staples differ in their holding properties. The reason for the smooth area at the top of the shank is to allow for the hardwood floor to expand and contract with seasonal temperature and humidity changes. The 16 gauge nail is perfect for 1 2 in. If you are crossing the joists with the hardwood see if you can nail on the joist beneath the subfloor and between the joists.

Solid wood flooring installations. Nails allow for a more natural expansion and contraction of the hardwood floorboards with fewer problems. Cleat nails come in 16 or 18 gauge and ate l or t shaped. 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.

Because each staple grips the wood with two prongs staples provide a tighter initial grip than cleat nails. These nails are made of high strength carbon steel. You can get either a stapler or a nailer. However according to the certified flooring inspectors we spoke to there are flooring manufacturers that no longer warrant engineered flooring installations when the flooring is fastened with staples instead of l cleats or t cleats.

Cleat nails are typically installed with an automatic. They strongly recommended installing hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring with l cleats or t cleats. You have to choose between models that use either l cleats or t cleats. Both types have ribs on two thirds of the nail shank.

Be sure to nail every 6 8 into the hardwood. The 3 4 subfloor is just adequate for the 2 flooring nails to almost fully engage so it s ok. Or 18 ga but thinner 20 ga. The recommended gauges don t refer to standard construction nails but to cleat nails designed specifically for use on hardwood flooring.

A staple will give a stronger less forgiving hold because of its two pronged construction. Diy enthusiasts want to know which choice is best in the cleats vs staples argument. That will automatically give you nails every 8. So if you want a pneumatic nailer you have one more decision to make.

Nails are available for installing engineered flooring. Pros and cons of using cleats for hardwood floor installation.