Q: I am installing 3/8" Bubinga Deep Cognac Engineered hardwood flooring that I ordered from iFloor. I have chosen the staple/nail option for installation, and am curious whether nailing would be appropriate for this product, or if the nails will blow right through the relatively thin tongue and split it. The product information on your sight says nailing is an option, but I wanted to be sure before potentially ruining any flooring. I have only installed thicker solid flooring before which had a more massive tongue. Will the engineered flooring withstand nailing? I see in the staple installation instructions that they mention a cleat. Is this acceptable in terms of use on a 3/8" engineered floor? I need a little fastener education on what is good for what, and maybe a description of a nail versus a cleat versus a staple. Thanks so much!!
Tim
A: Fastener education is well put, so let's dig into a quick 101.
When nailing or stapling a floor, there is a quick general rule you can follow: Nails should be used on thicker wood floors, typically 5/8" - 3/4" (though some 1/2" engineered floors are also suitable), for all other floors, use a staple as this will remove the chance of the nail blowing through the tongue.
Some quick terminology here, a cleat is another name for a flooring nail, which is the standard nail which has a hook at the head of the nail.
For your project with the 3/8" Bubinga, use staples and you should be all set.
