The best nail gun for tongue and groove is a 15 or 16-gauge finish nailer. Depending on the wood’s softness and thickness, some people also use an 18 gauge brad nailer, palm nailer, stapler, or cleats.
However, it’s not so much about the nails but what you are nailing into.
A domestic hardwood T&G requires a 16g finish nailer, whereas a hard exotic species requires 18g brad nailers. You can use a staple shot in the corner of the tongue for a deeper and splay out into the subfloor.
The humidity also matters when picking the nailer for this project. We will talk about that in detail later.
| Name & Uses | Pictures | Check On Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Freeman Combo – For all T&G |  | Check on Amazon |
| DEWALT Finish Nailer – For T&G Ceiling |  | Check on Amazon |
| NuMax Finish Nailer – For T&G Siding |  | Check on Amazon |
| Freeman Flooring Nailer – For T&G Flooring |  | Check on Amazon |
| WEN Brad Nailer – For Delicate T&G & crafts |  | Check on Amazon |
Should You Buy or Rent/Borrow a Nailer for Tongue and Groove?
Well, for one project, it is wise to rent or borrow a 16 gauge finish nailer, pin nailer, staple gun, or trimming nailer. It will save you time and money. Check your nearby rental store or friend/neighbor’s house to get one.
But buying one will be a good option if you need one for continuous use or are uncomfortable with using others’ tools. Also, a good nail gun will come in handy for a longer span. In that case, go on reading.
How We Picked the Best One for You?
First of all, I have years of experience in using tools.
Secondly, I invested hours after hours taking others’ opinions (real users) about the nailers suitable for tongue and groove.
Finally, I researched different nailers for versatile tongue and groove projects, including roofing, flooring, siding, plank, etc.
When selecting, I considered the materials you will nail into, humidity, types of projects, and others. It will certainly help you find the exact one you are looking for.
Best Nailer for Tongue and Groove – All Types T&G
Freeman P4FRFNCB Pneumatic combo is the best nailer for your tongue and groove projects. Whether you are doing tongue and groove ceiling, wood floors, paneling, or siding, this one will be perfect.
You can even use it for other purposes, such as framing, fencing, trimming, wood paneling, and so on.
Let me explain why and how.
It comes with a combo pack of 21 and 34-degree framing nailers, a 15 gauge finish nailer, an 18 gauge brad nailer, and an 18g crown stapler.
Remember you need to hold the wood boards or sheathing when arranging.
An 18 gauge crown stapler will allow you to hold the boards, ensuring a smooth and perfect nailing experience later. It also helps you arrange the boards in order, even when vertically installing them.
Then you can use a brad nailer or finishing nailer to complete the tongue and grooving project. This one will be a perfect combo pack when working with different projects.
The framing nailer will help you create frames or larger projects easily. It can even be used for cabinet backing, decorative trim, picture frames, crafts, and so on.
Let me tell you about some common features that a good nailer should have,
- Strong stainless steel drive blade with an anodized aluminum magazine and cylinder for maximum durability and less weight.
- Tool-free depth, anti-dry firing, dual mode trigger, no mar safety tip, and 360-degree adjustable exhaust.
- Comfortable grip to enjoy long-time work and experience less fatigue.
- Oil-free design for less maintenance and a cleaner surface.
- Quick jam release for a hassle-free operation.
Remember that you have to deal with a heavy price since this one is a combo pack. But it will be worth your money if you want versatile tongue and groove projects.
Best Nail Gun for Tongue And Groove Ceiling
You will need longer nails to get through the drywall or ceiling and into the rafters. I suggest you go for a 15 gauge finish nailer that drives at least 2″ long galvanized aluminum nails or stainless steel nails.
You should nail at an angle through the tongue where it meets the field of the board. That is where you need an angle finish nailer.
Some people want roofing nailers for the T&G ceilings or ceiling joist. But I will not suggest roofing nailers since they are overpowered for G&T.
Best Finish Nailer for Tongue And Groove – DEWALT 20V MAX Finish Nailer Kit
Considering the nail length and angle factors, DEWALT 20V MAX Finish Nailer Kit is perfect.
No matter if the humidity is highest in the winter and dampest in the springs and falls, a quality 15g finish nailer will seal the boards.
You can drive 1-1/4-inch to 2-1/2-inch finish nails that are perfect for ceiling T&G. You can drive them into drywall or ceiling and the rafters.
Besides, the nail versatility allows you to nail tongue and groove white pine or other wood smoothly.
Using the nailer is a piece of cake. Your 70-year-old grandpa or 12-year-old kid can operate the nailer without any hassle thanks to its cordless option.
This tool eliminates the need for a compressor, hose, or costly gas cartridges. Imagine nailing the T&G without having any attachments.
The 20v lithium-ion battery provides ultimate runtime and lots of nail driving on a single charge. You will also get a brushless motor to get enough power and a smooth start when needed.
The beauty of the ceiling highly depends on the nailing direction. With a micro nose, this tool improves line of sight and accuracy.
Like any other good nailer, this one also has a toolless selectable trigger. You can easily switch between sequential or contact actuation modes to speed up or ensure the accuracy of your project.
This is not the end.
You can adjust the depth of the nail sinking to use it for different types of projects with different wood thicknesses.
Working in low light?
This amazing cordless nail gun tool gets your back.
It comes with functional LED lights to see what you are nailing. The lights, along with the angle design, help you reach confined areas.
Experiencing jammed nail is common, and this nailer is no different. Yes, you will experience a jam. But releasing jam is easier thanks to its toolless jam release function.
It also has a tool-free stall release lever that allows you to reset the driver blade for stalling quickly.
So overall, when you need an excellent T&G nailer for the ceiling, look no further but this one.
Cons
Remember that you will not get higher power like a pneumatic nailer. Also, the weight will be way higher since the battery is attached to the body. The chances of experiencing fatigue are high when working for a long time.
Cordless/battery-powered alternative – Metabo HPT Angled Finish Nailer Kit
If you are not interested in a cordless nailer, go for Metabo HPT 15g Angled Finish Nailer Kit. This is a pneumatic nail gun that provides enough power to deal with heavy and tough wood smoothly.
Also, you do not need to deal with heavy weight or lack of power.
Best Nail Gun for Tongue And Groove Siding
For a siding project, it is important to get one with a strong holding capacity. A staple or cleat will not work.
You may think of a siding nailer for nailing tongue and groove siding.
But you have to deal with the nailhead; remember that. And chances are high that it will blow off the boards if they are not hardwood.
You would be surprised how well the 15 or 16-gauge finish nailer holds the siding. I will suggest going for a 16 gauge finish nailer since it drives nails that are neither delicate like an 18 gauge brad nail nor thick like 15 gauge nail.
Besides, you can easily hide the nails with 16 gauge nails for a better look. It eliminates the need to seal or paint the siding to hide the nail heads.
NuMax SFN64 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer
NuMax SFN64 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer can be the best nail gun for your tongue and groove siding.
This one is inexpensive compared to other 16 gauge finish nailers. However, you don’t need to worry about the quality.
The nailer is compatible with 1″ – 2-1/2″ nails, which are perfect for siding.
Aluminum body construction reduces overall weight to make it comfortable to hand. Besides, the hardened stainless steel drive blade ensures a longer lifespan by handling rugged use.
It comes with a smooth grip handle to make it even more comfortable. You can work long shifts without experiencing fatigue.
Adjusting depth is child’s play thanks to its toolless depth adjustment dial. Your nine-year-old child can adjust the depth without your help. It allows you to work with different T&G projects with different board depths.
The no-mar safety tip and adjustable exhaust keep the work surface safe and clean. Due to the no-mar tip, you will not see any spot in the machine.
With its high-capacity magazine, you can drive 100 nails at once. And refilling the nails is easy thanks to its user-friendly mechanism.
Cons
Storing the nailer is tough since it does not have any belt hook. It causes a problem when you work on a ladder or higher platforms. Besides, the nailer does not have an LED light that you can use in low light. Even it prevents you from using it in some dark areas.
You will also experience some problems working in corners or refined areas since it is a straight-finish nailer.
If you need a 16 gauge angled finish nailer
For confined or hard-to-reach areas, a 16g-angled finish nailer will work better, and that is why this 16 g-angled finish nailer from Dewalt will be a great pick.
You can check this video to understand how easy it is to use a 16 gauge finish nailer for T&G siding.
Nail Gun for Tongue And Groove Flooring
Most of the time, softwoods such as pine are used in T&G flooring. Using a flooring nailer will certainly be a good option to handle the softwood since it is dedicated to flooring.
A 16g flooring nailer will be perfect for domestic hardwood floors. If it’s a hard exotic species or bamboo flooring, try a thinner nail, such as an 18g nailer, to prevent splitting the tongues.
Also, try to staple a shot in the corner of the tongue to get a deep and splay out into the subfloor, so there is no lift.
But sometimes, you may deal with hardwood floors. A 15 gauge flooring nailer will be a good pick since the nails will be longer and thicker to hold up the tough and thick wood.
Then what can you do if you have to work with both soft and hardwood?
You then need a 15 gauge flooring nailer, a 16 gauge flooring nailer, and a stapler. It will cost you huge money and effort to complete the T&G flooring.
Well, we have a good solution for you.
Freeman PDX50C 3-in-1 15.5-Gauge and 16-Gauge Flooring Nailer and Stapler
Here, you will get a nailer combined of,
- 15.5 and 16g 2″ Flooring Nailer
- A 16 gauge T-cleats and L-cleats stapler
- 15.5 gauge flooring staples.
With this single package, you can complete different types of T&G flooring – from hardwood to softwood – from 1/2″ to 3/4″.
The anodized aluminum magazine handles tough pressure while reducing the overall weight. You will also get no mar protection plate to prevent damaging the wooden floor. To make it safer, it even offers a self-leveling front foot.
You can easily use this nailer for solid tongue and groove flooring wood from 1/2″ to 23/32″ in thickness.
It offers a lightweight fiberglass handle mallet to make it more comfortable to use.
Cons
The only problem you might have with this one is its price. Yes, it is a little bit expensive since it offers a complete solution.
Also, if you forget to place it in the correct position, you may drive a cleat into the middle of the board instead of the tongue. So be careful while placing it.
If you are planning for something less expensive
We also have a good alternative for you if you need something less expensive.
NuMax S50LSDH 15.5 and 16-Gauge Flooring Nailer and Stapler
However, remember that everything has a price. The base plate might not fit well on the floor. Besides, it uses pneumatic oil that might damage your flooring as well. Apart from these two problems, this one offers the same benefits as the previous expensive one.
Best 18 Gauge Brad Nailer For Tongue And Groove Paneling– For Delicate Wood Boards & crafts
What if you have delicate and thin wood boards for T&G? Or what if you want a small T&G project completion and crafts work with the nail gun?
An 18 gauge brad nailer will be a perfect option to get the job done.
Also, a hard exotic requires 18g brad nails to avoid splitting the tongues off.
However, remember that it will not work for any T&G siding, flooring, or ceiling projects – only for thin wooden T&G and crafts.
WEN 61723K 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Brad Nailer
Keeping that in mind, we picked the WEN 61723K Brad Nailer for tongue and groove projects for you.
First of all, it is highly inexpensive. I mean you cannot even rent a nailer for a week at this price.
Here it is.
But do not even think it will be a cheap replica of something good. It delivers value.
Its metal magazine construction with a lightweight body makes it durable and comfortable to use. It also prevents fatigue in the hand while using it for a long time.
The nailer drives nails from 3/8 to 2 inches that can hold T&G wood smoothly. Besides, it has a depth adjustment wheel to control the nail depth for versatile uses.
It runs at 60 to 115 PSI, giving you the 1/4-inch NPT air inlet fitting for better performance. To make it more convenient, it features a 106-nail capacity magazine.
So keep driving nails without the hassle of reloading every 5 minutes. You can even complete a small T&G project without reloading.
And you know the best part?
It comes with a gauge window mounted on the magazine side to let you see the remaining nails. So it will prevent misfires when working on large projects.
What if it jams often?
Well, you cannot ignore the jams. No matter how good a nailer is, it will jam after a certain period. This one jam, too – probably more than a high-class pricy nailer.
But the good part with this inexpensive nailer is that you can remove jam with its hassle-free nose latch. It eliminates the need for using any tools for jam.
The rotatable exhaust channels the hot air away from the users. So overall, it will be a good pick with a reasonable price.
Cons
The cons are very few if you compare the price.
You will often experience problems with double firing. Also, the power will not be sufficient to deal with thicker or harder wood – remember that.
How to Pick the Best Nail Gun for Tongue and Groove
Even after having a list and suggestions, it is better to know how to pick one.
Know what you are nailing?
It is always about what you are nailing into instead of what you are using for nailing.
Know what you are nailing. A hardwood requires stronger yet thinner nails, whereas a thicker wood requires stronger holding capacity with larger and thicker nails.
Similarly, when working with softwood, such as pine or cedar, you do not need something powerful that you need when working with tough wood such as oak or maple.
Moreover, think about the thickness of your boards. A thicker board will need longer, for example, 2 inches or more, nails whereas a thinner one can be nailed with 1-inch nails.
For example, Western Red Cedar T&G has a thickness of 7/16” – 1” with 4 or 6” widths. Knotty T&G has 1” thickness with 6, or 8” widths. So consider the thickness as well.
Consider the weather and humidity
The humidity plays a vital role when choosing the nailer.
How?
Let me explain.
For example, you are living in New Orleans, where the average humidity is nearly 86 percent.
Now, this humidity will be the same year around. That means the wood you have nailed into will not shrink or loose over time.
On the other hand, if the humidity changes in winter, summer, or rainy season, the boards will shrink or loose over time. That means you will need thicker and larger nails to hold the boards when the humidity is high.
16 or 18-gauge for tongue and groove
16 gauge is standard and a good pick for tongue and groove. That is because they offer enough holding power and easy hiding. 18 gauge nailers are suitable for only softwoods that require less holding power.
Consider the nail size
Nail size is important for choosing the nail gun.
You cannot drive a thicker 2.5-inch nail with a brad nailer. So consider the nail size required for the projects and pick the right nailer.
Here is the nail size chart for you.
| Types of tongue and groove | Suitable nails | Right nailer |
|---|---|---|
| Nails for tongue and groove cladding | 1-½” to 2” in | 16g finish or 18g brad nailer |
| Best nails for exterior tongue and groove | 1-½” to 2” in | 15-16g finish nailer |
| Nails for tongue and groove ceiling | 2 inches | 16 gauge nailer |
| Nail for 3/4 tongue and groove | 2-inch thicker | 15 gauge nailer |
| Nails for tongue and groove flooring | 2-inch thicker | 15-16g Flooring nailer |
| Nails for tongue and groove cedar | 1-1/4” nails | Brad or finish nailer |
Nail or screw tongue and groove ceiling
Nail will be better for tongue and groove ceiling. That is because nails, especially finishing nails, are easy to hide. You do not need any sealant or paint to hide the nails.
On the other hand, if the humidity change is huge in your area, screws will be better since they can hold the boards even when loose. However, you need to deal with the screw heads.
What safety precautions should I take when using a nail gun for tongue and groove installation?
- Always wear goggles and gloves
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Point the nail gun in safe directions
- Disconnect the hose and wire before making any adjustment
- Keep children away from the nailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still got some questions? Let’s check our FAQs.
Generally, 1-1/2 to 2-inch nails are suitable for most ceiling projects. However, check the thickness of the boards you are using to find the right nails.
Try to get 15 or 16-gauge nails for the tongue and groove ceiling. They offer enough thickness to hold the ceiling even in higher humidity changes.
Yes, you can use a brad nailer only for tongue and groove installation when the boards are made of softwoods such as maple or pine. Other than that, brad nailers are not powerful enough to handle tough wood.
Conclusion
Using the best nail gun for tongue and groove is mandatory to get the desired result.
Yes, you may complete the project with the wrong nailer, but the result will never be satisfied and you can never complete the project smoothly.
So make sure to get the best one – rent it or buy it – but pick the right one.
My last tip will be to focus on what you are nailing and how the weather will affect the wood. Considering these two factors, you can easily pick the right one.
Enjoy!
See you soon.