I am going to be putting down 3/4" thick Australian Cypress and want your opinion on using staples or nails. They made pneumatics for both styles, right? Which is better and why?
thanks
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thanks
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Wood flooring question.
- Thread starter redlineguy
- Start date
I know the nails are strong enough to stand up to the whacking without marring the wood and also able to suck up the warps.
Bostich with t nails. The air assist is a must!! (or you will look like Popeye when your done)
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deaner
Well-known member
Im not a fan of the bostich at all. The one I had was always jamming up. Primatech is the best way to go. Pretty pricey though. If you're on a budget, I used a samona one time and it worked great.
i think i used staples in my last house. used 2x the amount and the floor was awsome didn't sqeak or move. put the about evey 6". the house i built last summer i hired done too busy. the jackazz put the staples about evey 12" and it sqeeks and moves around. about 15yrs ago me and my dad did his floor we drilled and hand nailed every 6" what a job. also every thing we have done has been 2 1/4" stuff
Staples for sure - twice the holding power. Nails will loosen over time.
I would at least put the 20lb roof felt down, in my mind it stops squeaks. That Cypress is a little harder than oak, it may split out a little at the tonque. You might have to jimmy rig the nailer to alter the angle a bit.
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deaner
Well-known member
12"??? 6" is the correct distance to space your nails. I would check with your hardwood manufacturer as well regarding what you plan on using. I know some manufacturers wont honor their warranty if the wood is installed with staples. Cleats are the new standard I have been told.
I wouldnt waste my time with the felt underlay. The guy who taught me has around 25 years experience installing high end hardwood floors. He says the felt and tar paper does nothing to eliminate squeaks. The key to no squeaks is having a well prepped floor before beginning. ie....perfectly level, solid floor. Just take a four foot level across the floor in all directions. Take a belt sander to any high spots, and floor leveling compound to any low spots. Also make sure that the subfloor is securely attached to the floor joists. ie...no squeaks or movement before you start.
Once again SnoWest comes thru!
Thanks Guys
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Thanks Guys
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I just put down Brazilian Teak on the floor of our new house. Used staples, only because that is what the place told me to use where I bought it. After doing some research, if I had to do it over again I would go with the cleats. Brazilian Teak is 5 times harder than oak, so the staples would tend to split the tongue every now and then, where as I don't think cleats would have been so prone to do that.
felt
the purpose of the felt is to prevent dust from the subfloor working its way up. believe it or not when you step, there is some flex, that flex will push the air and dust from underneath through the grooves.
doesnt help with squeaks though.
the purpose of the felt is to prevent dust from the subfloor working its way up. believe it or not when you step, there is some flex, that flex will push the air and dust from underneath through the grooves.
doesnt help with squeaks though.
I was told to use the Red Rosin paper.
Smart move, and the paper will help with the squeaks....i don't care what anyone say.
I used red rosin paper as well.
staples.
My parents just put in some snap together style wood laminate flooring in their house. I had questioned it at first but it really looks good, doesn't squeak and since its not stapled or nailed to the floor it can expand and contract easily.
A nail specifically designed for flooring.
http://ottawa.en.craigslist.ca/tls/1045365252.html A cleat is an expensive nail with an L or T head . To start the rows a staple will hold better and jar less, i wonder if this nailer is any good? Usually when you get a combo tool it does not work as well but who knows.
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