What Size and Type of Nail is Used for Nailing Red Oak?

Red Oak Qualities

• Red oak is recognized by its amber color and its distinctive, wavy grain. Like all oak, red oak is hard and durable. Its abundance in American forests makes it an affordable, durable flooring for both industrial and residential structures. Its resistance to shrinkage and warping also enhances its performance as a flooring. Because of its hardness, oak is prone to splitting when nailed.

Floor Nailers

• If you' re installing new tongue and groove red oak floors, you'll need to rent a floor nailer. Powered either by hand -- you bang it with a mallet -- or by compressed air, the nailer shoots a blunt-tipped nail through the tongue into the subfloor. The blunt tip punches a hole through the wood, resulting in fewer splits. The nail is covered by the next strip, resulting in blind nailing. The approximately 1 3/4-inch nails are also square and tapered. You buy the nails from your tool rental agent when you rent the nailer.

Finish Nailing

• For repairs, you'll need to hand nail. In fact, when using a nailer, you'll still have to hand nail when the work gets close to the wall and the nailer will no longer fit. Size 6d -- "six penny" -- finish nails have the right diameter and length. If blind nailing, simply nail through the tongue with a few, hard blows. Some splitting will occur, but as long as the board is tight, it's OK. When face nailing, drill pilot holes to avoid splitting wood and bending nails.

Tips

• The pilot hole for finish nails should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the nail. Drill at a slight angle so the nail gains a firm grip with the floor, reducing loose boards and squeaks.
  Recess finish nails about 1/8 inch with a nail set -- or nail punch -- and use wood filler to hide the shiny nail head.
  If you have old oak floors, they're likely red oak. Because of its watertight characteristics, white oak is in demand for barrel making and shipbuilding, making it more expensive. Handling is the same for both species.