We researched far and wide to find what we feel is the best flooring nailer available today. Our choice for the best flooring nailer is the Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic Flooring Nailer and Stapler. This ranked as best due to being a 3 in 1 tool. It is lightweight, durable and easily interchangeable.
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Top 5 Flooring Nailers: Our Picks & Recommendations
- Best Overall: Freeman PFL618BR Flooring Nailer
- Best In Budget: NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
- Runner-Up: Freeman PF18GLCN Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
- Amazon’s Choice: Bostitch EHF1838K Engineered Hardwood Flooring Stapler
- Amazon’s Choice Runner-Up: Dewalt DWFP12569 Two In One Flooring Tool
In a world where people are constantly remodeling different areas of their home, having a great flooring nailer is a must have in the tool shed.
Whether you are a professional contractor or the one with a honey do list at home, choosing the proper flooring nailer is important.
Flooring comes in many different types, you may want to consider a flooring nailer that is also a stapler. Flooring such as hardwood or bamboo are the most common types that are installed today.
Not all flooring nailers are the same or do the same quality of the job. You will want to purchase one that is capable of doing all that you need to do with your flooring.
Things To Consider When Purchasing A Flooring Nailer
With such a variety of flooring tools available, one cannot walk into a store and pick up the first one they look at.
It may not be the one you need to install hardwood flooring in your living room or the bamboo flooring in your kitchen. There are some ideas that you want to decide on before the purchase is made.
Is The Flooring Nailer For Home Use Or Professional Use?
This is not to say that there is a difference in flooring nailers pertaining to professional or private use. However, a professional may choose one that is lightweight, has a larger magazine and is more ergonomic. Maybe, a flooring nailer is a tool that you will use both professionally and for private home use.
Do You Prefer A Pneumatic Nailer Or A Manual Flooring Nailer?
With a manual, you will not have hoses getting in the way. The pneumatic will accomplish the job in a quicker fashion. This decision may be best based on the amount of time that you will be using the flooring nailer and also the geographical location.
Geographical means is there electricity in the area or will you need a generator in order to do the job?
How Much Versatility Is There In The Materials You Will Be Installing?
Believe me when I say there is a large difference in how a flooring nailer will work on different floorings. There may be a type of flooring that you only need a stapler for, and others that you will need a flooring nailer. Be sure to consider all the possible tasks you may be doing once you purchase, and base your decision on that aspect.
Ease Of Loading
Yes, this is an important factor when deciding which to purchase. For instance, a professional will likely do many different flooring installations in a day and would like a nailer that is easy to load or change out the hardware needed for the different floors.
You will likely want to consider how much the flooring nailer will hold at one time. For the person installing a floor at home, they may not need or want a large magazine of fasteners.
Weight And Comfort
The weight and comfort of the flooring nailer and stapler are highly important to consider. Again, a professional who uses a flooring nailer or stapler for long periods throughout the day will want the type of flooring nailer or stapler that is lightweight and ergonomic. This would prevent fatigue in the arm and hand.
What Price Range Are You Able To Afford?
The price ranges widely between the flooring nailers and staplers. Some are priced very low, but will not be able to do much or use the hardware needed to install different types of flooring.
The more spendy ones, the higher priced, although they may cost a good chunk of money to purchase may also not do the job that one would require it to do.
Do yourself a favor, do not focus on price, do not choose the lowest priced or the highest just because you believe it will save you money, or that it is expensive so it will do everything. That is not how tools are priced.
The 5 Best Flooring Nailers Review
Here’s a list of the best flooring nailers on the market today:
Best Overall
1. Freeman PFL618BR Flooring Nailer
What You Will Love: The Freeman PFL618BR is a great 3 in 1 flooring nailer and stapler. It is ergonomic and lightweight to reduce arm fatigue and it will drive in three different types of fasteners, a T-cleat, and L-cleat and staples.
Features
This amazing three in one tool is lightweight, has an aluminum body and a padded grip. It features two interchangeable base plates that are no mar. The drive blade is one piece of hardened steel, making it very durable.
The increased magazine size allows for up to 120 fasteners which minimizes time to reload. Also features an anti-dust cap and a no mar rubber mallet. The magazine will hold 2 inch L cleats, 2 inch T cleats, 1.5 inch staples as well as 2 inch staples.
Also included with the 3 in 1 flooring nailer and stapler are a blow molded case, air tool oil, adjustment tools, and safety goggles. Also includes a wooden handle rubber mallet.
Pros:
- Dynamic and durable.
- An actual three in one tool that can satisfy all your flooring needs.
- Comes with a storage case, safety goggles, oil and adjustment tools.
- Pricing is amazing for the amount you get with this purchase.
- The warranty is 7 years limited warranty, with a 90 day wearable parts warranty.
Cons:
- It does not work well in tight spaces. It can be done, however, the user will need to make adjustments in the obstacles around, if possible.
Best In Budget
2. NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
What You Will Love: This is a wonderful 3 in 1 flooring nailer and stapler. It is a pneumatic, lightweight and ergonomic and this is the right tool for the majority of all your flooring jobs.
Features
This NuMax is lightweight with an aluminum body, comes with an extended handle. Also included is a rubber mallet to put flooring into place. This will work with three types of fasteners, T cleats, L cleats, and staples.
The light strike bumper allows for low impact driving of fasteners. This is designed for tongue and groove installation of flooring. NuMax SFL has a quick release for easy access to the drive blade. There are two interchangeable no mar base plates.
It has a smaller tool body and improved design on the base plates. Comes with adjustment tools, air tool oil, and the rubber mallet. The steel parts are all heat treated for increased durability.
Pros:
- An amazing three in one tool for the price.
- The price is low range and far less than purchasing tools separately for all this NuMax can accomplish.
- Comes with a handy adjustment tool, the air tool oil, and mallet.
- Holds three different types of fasteners, in lengths of 1.5 to 2 inches for all.
- This is a phenomenal tool for the home DIYer or professional contractor.
- Gives professional results on home repair or brand new installs.
- Easy to use, less fatigue
Cons:
- The warranty is a 1 year limited warranty, with only 30 days on the wearable parts.
- Also, there is no storage or carry case included.
Runner-Up
3. Freeman PF18GLCN Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
What You Will Love: This pneumatic flooring nailer features an aluminum body with heat hardened steel. This flooring nailer is durable and lightweight and it works great when installing bamboo or other exotic floorings, and also works great on your hardwood flooring.
Features
Comes with an ergonomic and comfort grip handle. The magazine will hold up to 120 L cleat fasteners. Designed with a light strike bumper and three interchangeable base plates.
This beauty has an extended reach handle to help prevent sore back muscles. Comes with a fiberglass no marring mallet. Also has an air, anti dust filter. Designed with a ¼ inch NPT fitting which fits most air hose couplers.
It has been designed specifically for dense wood installations. Works great for the professional contractor and the home-based DIYer.
Pros:
- This pneumatic floor nailer has a great price point.
- Comes with interchangeable, no mar base plates. Includes a fiberglass mallet.
- Increased capacity in the magazine, it will hold up to 120 L cleats.
- Designed with an extra long handle to help prevent back pain.
- It has an ergonomic handle with a comfortable grip.
- Includes a 7 year limited warranty along with a 30 day wearable parts guarantee.
- You will see professional results using this flooring nailer.
Cons:
- This pneumatic flooring nailer holds only 18 gauge fasteners; from 1.25 to 1.75 inch L cleats.
- There is no storage or carry case with this pneumatic flooring nailer.
- The wearable parts warranty is only 30 days.
Amazon’s Choice
4. Bostitch EHF1838K Engineered Hardwood Flooring Stapler
What You Will Love: This hardwood flooring stapler has an over molded handle to be comfortable. Comes with adjustable knobs to change from 5/16 to 7/16 on hardwood, and ½ to ⅝ on the engineered versions of hardwood and bamboo.
Features
The Bostitch EHF1838K flooring Stapler is built to last. It comes with a comfort grip handle and maneuvers easily. It works on hardwoods and also engineered hardwood, along with engineered bamboo.
There is an easy sight tongue engagement to ensure that you hit the spot every time. The muffled rear exhaust keeps dust away from the project. The pricing is on the lower range of any budget, making it affordable for all.
The safety must be engaged on the hardwood in order to fire. The driving power of this handy tool is 160 inches/pounds per 70 to 120 psi.
Pros:
- This flooring stapler by Bostitch has a great price point for anyone.
- Included in the box is a carry case, 1000 staples, two extra no mar tips and also an installation block.
- A seven-year warranty is available on request.
- It does work on varying thicknesses of wood.
- It is from Bostitch, which means a great air-powered tool.
- Whether you are a pro or not, this lightweight tool will give you the professional look you desire.
Cons:
- Works only with staples, in a few sizes.
- The magazine capacity is only 100 staples.
- Can be tricky to place the tip in the proper position.
Amazon’s Choice Runner-Up
5. Dewalt DWFP12569 Two In One Flooring Tool
What You Will Love: Dewalt has given us a lightweight, better balanced flooring tool. This will hold the most popular flooring fasteners, 15.5 gauge staples and 16 gauge L cleat nails. Entails a lower CFM for less compressor time.
Features
The Dewalt 2 in 1 flooring tool is built to be ergonomic, lightweight and easy to use. It has a comfort grip handle, extended handle to reduce fatigue and back pain. Holds 15.5 gauge staples and 16 gauge L cleat nails.
Includes interchangeable, no mar base plates. It has a mallet activated pneumatic driving action. Will work on floor thickness of ½ to ¾ inches. The hand tools for making adjustments is included. The DeWalt two in one flooring tool is compact in size.
Pros:
- This two in one tool is very lightweight and well balanced.
- It has a comfort grip handle.
- Comes with a three year limited warranty for peace of mind.
- This two in one flooring tools can engage all flooring profiles, and will even protect the prefinished floors.
- DeWalt has made this tool worth the amount you will spend on it versus renting the same equipment.
Cons:
- The range in acceptable fasteners is small.
- It also has a small magazine capacity of 100.
- The price point is on the upper end of budgets.
- There is no dry fire lockout on the tool, so extra safety needs to be had.
- There is no storage bag or safety goggles included.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does A Flooring Nailer Work?
A flooring nailer allows a person to make quick work of fastening flooring down. A flooring nailer will place the fastener at a perfect 45* angle.
What Kinds Of Nails Should I Use For Hardwood Flooring?
Whether it is solid wood or engineered wood, you can use flooring nails or staples on the flooring. Obviously, it is always best to follow the flooring manufacturers suggestion.
Nails can vary in size also. A good way to remember is for 1.5 inch nails for .5 inch flooring; and 1.75 inch nails for a floor that is .75 inches.
What Gauge Of Flooring Nailer Should I Use For Hardwood Flooring?
There are two types, 16 gauge, and 18 gauge. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. It will depend upon the hardness of the wood, the thickness of the flooring, and whether it is solid or engineered.
What Type Of Nailer Should I Use For Bamboo Flooring?
You will look for one that states it will work for bamboo flooring. Also, be aware that you will want to use 18 gauge cleat nails to fasten the flooring down.
Which Should I Use, A Hardwood Flooring Nailer Or A Stapler?
Honestly, either one will work for you, depending on the thickness of the wood. However, a stapler is not the preferred choice for construction workers. The stapler will anchor flooring to the subflooring.
Conclusion
In the world of power tools, a flooring nailer and stapler is definitely one you want to keep with your other tools. It does not mean that a professional contractor is the only person who can make this purchase. Any of the mentioned flooring and stapler tools will be a welcome addition for anyone’s tool wall.
Home DIYers all the way to the pros, you will see a job well done and looking professional. Do not let the decision of which flooring nailer or stapler baffle you. Before the purchase, think of what tasks you will want to accomplish with the flooring nailer, make a list and take with you to the store. Look at each box and all of the inclusions.
The price should not be a major point in your decision. You want a quality tool to do a quality job. Maybe having a two in one or even a three in one tool, is what you should consider. With an amazing tool, you can help other friends with their remodeling and updating in their homes.
With enough of the right type of tools, you could invest and become a house flipper. You would not have to hire out for those tasks that once seemed daunting. Professionals will get more work when they have the tools needed, and ones that work the best. With those, you are guaranteed to be able to do more with the tool. No matter which you choose, it will be a decision well made.
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