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 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.
Top 5 Best Nail Guns for Tongue and Groove
Freeman Combo – For all T&G
Brand: Freeman
Color: Black
Material: Aluminum
Number of Fasteners: 500
Style: Modern
Best Nailer for Tongue and Groove – All Types T&G
1. Freeman Combo – For all T&G
Product Description:
The Freeman P4FRFNCB Pneumatic combo is the best nailer for tongue-and-groove projects. Whether you are doing a 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 joists. But I will not suggest roofing nailers since they are overpowered for G&T.
2. Best Finish Nailer for Tongue And Groove – DEWALT 20V MAX Finish Nailer Kit
Product Description:
Considering the nail length and angle factors, the 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 nails 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.
3. Cordless/battery-powered alternative – Metabo HPT Angled Finish Nailer Kit
Product Description:
If you are not interested in a cordless nailer, go for the 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.
4. NuMax SFN64 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer
Product Description:
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.
5. If you need a 16 gauge angled finish nailer
Product Description:
For confined or hard-to-reach areas, a 16g-angled finish nailer will work better, and that is why this 16g-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.
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.
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 a 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 lose over time.
On the other hand, if the humidity changes in winter, summer, or rainy season, the boards will shrink or lose 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 a 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
The nail will be better for the 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.
FAQ
Still, have some questions? Let’s check our FAQs.
What size nails should I use for a tongue and groove ceiling?
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.
What gauge nail is for the tongue and groove ceiling?
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.
Can I use a Brad nailer for tongue and groove installation?
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 the 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.