The controversy between 15 gauge and 16 gauge nailers is a common phenomenon in the nailing world. Both nailers are full of enchanting features and easy to operate. What will you use- a 15 gauge or 16 gauge nailer for hardwood floor?
Installing hardwood floors requires attaching wood pieces together strictly. A 15 gauge nailer’s nails have more holding power than the 16 gauge nails. But, you can’t ignore the 16 gauge nails because of their contribution to increasing aestheticism.
However, both nailers have some plus and minus points. A 15 gauge nailer creates deep holes on the working surface. Besides, a 16 gauge nailer is expensive. Without knowing more distinctions, it’s hard to make the right decision.
15 or 16 gauge nailer for a hardwood floor? – Which one to pick
15 gauge or 16 gauge nailer for a hardwood floor? Go through the following factors and make the right decision.
Let’s see a quick comparison chart between the 15 gauge and 16 gauge nailer.
| 15 Gauge Nailer | 16 Gauge Nailer |
| Shoots thick nails between 1-1/4” to 2-1/2” long. | Shoots nail around 3/4” to 2-1/2” inches long |
| Comes with a 1.9mm diameter. So, creates bigger holes. | Comes with a 1.6 mm diameter. So, creates smaller holes. |
| Has a bigger head. Not highly ideal for hardwood floors. | Slightly smaller than 15 gauge. Ideal for aesthetic appearance. |
| A 15 gauge nailer is less expensive. | A 16 gauge nailer costs more than a 15 gauge nailer. |
We have a complete guide for you to pick the right finish nailer for hardwood floor. Check it out.
Which one offers more holding power?
A 15 gauge nailer shoots 15 gauge nails and a 16 gauge nailer shoots 16 gauge nails. The 15 gauge nails offer more holding power than the 16 gauge nails. The more the gauge, the less the size.
It’s tested that smaller nails have less holding power than the bigger nails. They adhere to the nailing surface more consistently.
Which one damages floors most?
Simply, the big-sized nails will create bigger holes than the smaller nails. They have some extra radius in comparison to the small nails. For this reason, the surface of the countersink is slightly large.
Their diameter also affects the hole size. A 15 gauge nail comes with a 1.5 mm diameter whereas the other one comes with a 1.6 mm diameter. So, the overall damage isn’t extremely different.
15 or 16 gauge nailer- which comes with a lower price?
A 15 gauge finish nailer is less expensive in comparison to a 16 gauge nailer. If we compare Metabo 15 gauge and 16 gauge finish nailers, we can easily understand this. Metabo 16 gauge finish nailer’s price is $129 and Metabo 15 gauge finish nailer comes for around $127.
Which nailer requires more power?
The required power for a nail gun is dependent on the nail size. If the nail size is large, then the nailer needs more power to shoot it. A 15 gauge nail is larger in size than a 16 gauge nail. So, a 15 gauge nailer will need some extra power to shoot one strip of 15 gauge nails.
However, their operating pressure is almost the same. The difference in power might be extremely big if there was nothing like the diameter factor. A 16 gauge nail has a larger diameter than the 15 gauge nails. So, they require almost the same power to be nailed.
Is a 15 gauge nailer more convenient to use?
Both nailers are convenient to use due to their depth adjustment features and ergonomic grips. They have no distinction except for the nail size. Therefore, both nailer wins here.
Do both nailers ensure the highest aestheticism?
No, the nail with a thin size and head creates some extra aestheticism. A 16 gauge nail is thin and has a smaller head than the 15 gauge nail. By using them on the hardwood floor, you won’t regret it in case of aestheticism.
Which nailer is heavy to hold?
Generally, 15 gauge nailers are manufactured with extra weight. Metabo 16 gauge brad nailer is 3.7 pounds and Metabo 15 gauge brad nailer is 4.2 pounds. So, a 15 gauge nailer is difficult to hold for a long time during installing hardwood floors.
Pros of using a 15 gauge nailer for hardwood floor
- This nailer shoots large nails with extreme holding power.
- You can purchase it by spending less currency.
- This nailer requires slightly less power to shoot nails.
Cons of using 15 gauge nailer for hardwood floor
- This nailer isn’t good for hardwood floor’s aestheticism.
- A 15 gauge nailer’s nails create deep holes.
Now, if you want to go with the 15 gauge nailer, we have a complete guide for that. Visit our guide on the best 15 gauge finish nailer.
Pros of using 16 gauge nailer for hardwood floor
- Its short head nails ensure the ultimate aestheticism.
- No big holes on the working surface.
- Requires less time to countersink on the woods.
Cons of using 16 gauge nailer for hardwood floor
- Its holding power isn’t appreciable.
- The price of a 16 gauge nailer is slightly higher than a 15 gauge nailer.
So, which one should you pick?
It’s time to make the final decision. A 15 gauge or 16 gauge nailer for hardwood floor? Which one can make your project finally the best? To know the answer, you need to prioritize your demand.
If you’re highly demanding the aestheticism of the hardwood floor, you shouldn’t pick the 15 gauge nailer. Going for a 15 gauge nailer is the right decision while your priority is binding woods together strongly.
Both nailers have almost similar features and warranty regulations. Even, their performance is close enough. If you’re looking for our opinion, we recommend using a 15 gauge nailer. It’ll ensure your hardwood floor runs in the long run.