Homeowners have used Shiplap for a long time to liven up the house and bring out an impressive ambiance. Having the best nail gun for installing the shiplap eases the whole process, and saves your valuable time.
In this article, we are going to list for you the best nail gun. That you can use to accent your wall, for that eyeful living.
What is shiplap?
Shiplap are wooden planks whose original use was in the construction of ships that were watertight and buoyant.
In this era, the planks are used for interior design and are nailed onto the walls in different designs, colors, and angles. To bring a retro appearance and a rustic visual effect, creating uniqueness on every wall.
What makes the shiplap planks unique is that they are specially designed to overlap with each other. The design features a tongue and groove that interlocks together. To create that appearance of oneness, prevent penetration by elements and buckling.
How do you install shiplap?
Step 1-Decide on the space to determine the right amount of board and nails that you will require. Use a tape measure to measure the length and width and divide it with that of the boards.
Step 2- Get all the necessary gear; stud finder, nails (1 ½ to 2 ½ depending on the board thickness), carpenter square, nail gun, chalk line, tape measure, safety goggle, saw and level tool.
Step 3- Using a stud finder mark the location of each stud vertically along the wall. Ideally, 16” to 24” apart.
Step 4- Use the chalk line to draw vertical lines along the marked points for easier visibility. Make another horizontal line at the top or bottom. Depending on where you plan to install the first board.
Step 5- Nail down the first board along the marked horizontal line. Use a level tool to ensure it’s straight. Because it will guide the rest of the boards.
Step 6- Make sure the next plank has a groove that corresponds to the tongue. Then use the carpenter square which is around 1/8-inch thick. To establish the space between the plank rows to allow for expansion. Nail down the board and proceed to the next one.
Step 7- Continue the process until you finish installing the whole space. You can use cut pieces to create a staggering effect as you move down the rows.
5 Best Nail Guns for Shiplap
#1 Dewalt Brad Nailer Kit (DWFP12231)
The Dewalt brand reliability comes into play
Key Features
- Works with 18 gauge nails from 5/8″ to 2″ length
- Tool-free jam release mechanism
- Sequential style trigger
- weight 2.65-lbs
- Pneumatic power source
#2 NEU MASTER 2 in 1 Nail Gun
The nail gun offers the best value considering its low price and the components included in the package. It also has a 2 in 1 design that makes it usable with both nails and staples, in a wide range of applications.
Key Features
- Brad Nails: 18 gauge , 5/8” to 2” in length
- Staples: 18 gauge, 1/4 inch 5/8” to 1-5/8”
- Item weight 2.6-lbs
- Pneumatic power source
- Sequential nail trigger
- 100 nail capacity
#3 BOSTITCH Brad Nailer Kit, (BTFP12233)
This nail gun stands out as one of the best in the market. It features easy nail placement as a result of a smaller nose and a selectable trigger system. For either sequential or contact operation.
Key Features
- Brad nails from 5/8-inch to 2-1/8-inch length
- Selectable; sequential or contact operation
- Tool-free jam release mechanism
- includes an ergonomic carrying case
- Pneumatic power source
- Weighs 5.16-lbs
#4 WEN 61721 Nail Gun
Key Features
- 18-gauge brads from 3/8 to 2 inches in length
- Weighs 2.65-lbs
- Holds up to 106 nails
- pneumatic power source
- Sequential trigger
#5 Cordless Brad Nailer, NEU MASTER NTC0023
Key Features
- 100% battery powered
- Staples: 1/4” crown staple from 5/8” to 1”,
- Nails: 18 gauge brad nail from 5/8” to 1-1/4′
- Weighs 7.54-lbs
Best Nail Gun for Shiplap- Buying Guide
These are some of the things to consider when shopping for a nail gun.
Pneumatic vs Cordless vs Gas-powered
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Pneumatic
The nail gun uses a compressor to fire the nails onto the surface. This type of gun is the most preferred for large workshops because it’s considered the most reliable. The downside is that you need a compressor on standby which is added cost to the use
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Cordless
These nail guns are usually heavier and more expensive than pneumatic guns. They are powered by batteries assuring the best mobility. Another downside is that they do not offer a similar driving force as a pneumatic nail gun, they are also less reliable for large workshops.
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Gas-powered
These types utilize gas combustion in addition to a battery to produce the impact required to drive the nails. Flammable fuel is injected into a chamber and the battery produces a spark that ignites it to generate the impact.
Nail Type
Different nail guns are able to handle different nail sizes. The most common types of nail sizes are;
- 15 gauge– Used for heavy-duty construction that uses thicker wood e.g., fencing
- 16 gauge– The nail is thick enough to bear weight but also has a smaller T head to sink below the wood surface.
- 18 gauge– used for more delicate work such as fixing trim, molding, and furniture work.
- 23 gauge– these are referred to as pins due to their small size. They are appropriate for fine-nailing and fixing work
The brad gun which is the most suitable for fixing shiplap mostly works with 18 to 23-gauge nails.
Firing Method
Pay attention to the method used to impact the nails out of the gun. This is important for the safety and accuracy of your projects. The different firing methods are;
- Contact trigger-This one fires every time the tip comes into contact with the wood. As long as your finger is pressed on the trigger. The downside of this is that it poses the risk of unintentionally firing.
- Sequential trigger-These work by first depressing the tip onto the surface and then pressing the trigger. It’s much safer but slower compared to the contact trigger.
Best Nail gun for Shiplap – FAQs
Can you install shiplap without a nail gun?
The alternative to use a nail gun is using a good old hammer with 15 to 16 gauge nails. Using adhesives or mounting tape will not provide a durable installation especially on bigger spaces.
Final Verdict
We really hope the quality insight provided in this article will help you make the right decision when purchasing a nail gun. Just like other power tools the skill of the person using the gun will define the quality of the work. In this case the quality of the nails being used is also important.