Do you nail or staple underlayment?

Author: Edgar Stamm  |  Last update: Sunday, February 8, 2026

Fasten the underlayment with either staples or nails. Start on one corner of the panel and fasten the 8' edge first, spacing 2” along the entire edge.

Are nails or staples better for underlayment?

I would recommend either the proper screws or ring-shank nails always be used rather than staples. It is common for the screws or nails to go completely through the subfloor in my experience, especially when minimal thickness materials are used.

Is it better to screw or staple underlayment?

screws are better for the subfloor but will take much longer, nailing is fine along with the adhesive.

What is the best way to fasten underlayment?

You can fasten your plywood underlayment using one of the following: galvanized, coated chisel-point staples with a 1/4" maximum crown; galvanized, coated ring shank underlayment nails with a 3/16" diameter head; or flathead wood screws treated with a moisture-resistant coating (such as galvanized or zinc).

Do you need to staple down underlay?

Stick your underlay to your subfloor – use adhesive glue or staples to make sure that your underlay is firmly attached to your subfloor.

Should I Nail or Staple My Tongue and Groove Flooring?

How often do you need to staple underlayment?

Yes, you must put a staple or screw in every “X”. The minimum spacing requirement is every 4” on center in the body of the panel and every 2” along the panel perimeter to properly secure SurePly® panels to the subfloor.

Can you staple down roof underlayment?

Slopes 2:12 to less than 4:12

On all lower slope applications, cover the deck with two layers of ProArmor® Underlayment. Roofing nails, pneumatic nail guns and staples may be used for same day installations.

Do you nail or screw down underlayment?

Although ring shank nails have a good hold, screws have more overall holding power by comparison. With a larger thread gripping a bigger surface area around them, screws hold your subfloor very tightly – allowing no wiggle room for shifting or loosening.

What is the best fastener for underlayment?

Underlayment screws are specifically designed for fastening wood underlayment to wood subflooring. These screws have an intricate thread pattern that tightly holds the two flooring layers together to prevent squeaking, which is one of their advantages over nails and staples.

What size staples for underlay?

Staples Size 8mm pack of 5,000 to fit most Tacwise rapid staplers, commonly used to secure underlay to wood substrates.

What nails do you use for underlayment?

Grip-Rite® Underlayment Nails are perfect when laying plywood or composition underlayment over existing wood floors or floor joists.

Are staples stronger than nails?

On the other hand, a staple on its own can often lack the strength needed for an application, when compared to a nail or screw. A staple's small surface area also means that it's vulnerable to shifting over time.

Why use staples instead of nails?

Staples provide a clean and unobtrusive finish, reducing the risk of splitting wood or leaving visible marks on the surface. Additionally, the speed at which staples can be driven makes them a popular choice for projects where installation speed is a top priority.

Do you screw or staple plywood underlayment?

You can use decking screws as they are properly coated to prevent rusting. Do not select a fastener that is uncoated, cement or rosin coated, as they may rust and discolor your finished floor. The length of the selected fastener should be a minimum of 5/8″.

How far apart do you nail underlayment?

To nail down the plywood, use underlayment nails, which have a smaller head and rings on the nail shank that prevent them from working loose. Drive nails throughout the entire sheet of plywood, every 6 to 8 inches (see illustration on next page), to ensure the floor is down solidly.

Should you staple underlayment?

There is no fastening the underlayment to the subfloor. However, during installation some installers like to fasten underlayment to the subfloor to prevent the underlayment from moving. If your choose this route, staples are a good choice to fasten the underlayment.

What nails to use for felt underlayment?

Unlike self‐adhering underlayments, such as ice and water protector, felt underlayment needs to be fastened in place with nails. Specifically, you'll need roofing cap nails. These have large plastic caps for heads, which help prevent water intrusion. Don't confuse these cap nails with gasket roofing nails.

Does underlayment have to be perfectly flat?

No subfloor is perfectly level, but any signs of unevenness and high or low spots must be remedied. Please follow these requirements: Subfloor unevenness cannot be greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span or 1/8 inch over a 6-foot span. Subfloors must not slope more than ½ inch per 6 feet (25 mm per 1.8 m)

What are the best fasteners for underlayment?

Ring-shank and spiral-shank nails are the best fasteners for this application because they are grooved to increase friction and resist withdrawal. In fact, studies at Clemson University in South Carolina have shown that these nails have as much as twice the holding capacity of smooth-shank nails and staples.

How often do you need to screw underlayment?

(3) Fasteners for 5-ply plywood Underlayment panels, and for panels greater than 1/2 inch thick, may be spaced 6 inches on center at edges and 12 inches on center each way intermediate.

Do roofers use nails or staples?

Today roofing nail guns are the preferred choice by roofing companies. This is because roofing nail guns have undergone innovations that make them much easier to use, firing nails with greater precision than roofing staple guns.

How far apart do you staple underlayment?

Fasten the underlayment with either staples or nails. Start on one corner of the panel and fasten the 8' edge first, spacing 2” along the entire edge. Make sure the fastener is around 1/2” from panel edge. Go back to the starting corner and repeat the process along the 4' edge.

What fasteners for roof underlayment?

If the underlayment will be exposed for an extended period, use plastic cap nails or staples, or 3/8-inch head roofing nails to make sure the underlayment stays in place and maintains as much moisture resistance as possible.

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