Can I use a finish nailer to install Costco Bamboo Flooring or do I need a flooring nailer?

I recently purchased enough Red Arawana flooring to cover my living room and hallway. I've heard that it tends to split when using a normal flooring nailer. I'm looking at buying a compressor/nailer kit and am wondering if I can do it with the finish nailer or not. If so, how do I install the nails? Do I place them at a 45 degree angle? Thanks for the help! I recently purchased enough Red Arawana tongue and groove flooring to cover my living room and hallway. I've heard that it tends to split when using a normal flooring nailer. I'm looking at buying a compressor/nailer kit and am wondering if I can do it with the finish nailer or not. If so, how do I install the nails? Do I place them at a 45 degree angle? Thanks for the help!

Public Comments

1. Proper tool for the job being done it you want it to turn out correctly installed. good luck
2. im not familiar with the brand ,is it tongue and groove?if so the flooring gun should work, with the right sized nails it shouldnt split but if you feel better about using a finnish gun you would have to nail it threw the tongue making sure that the nail isnt sticking up at all or the groove wont fit the tongue properly, they do sell flooring adhesives that work pretty good but that would mean you couldnt use the padding under the flooring,i think the glue might your best bet,good luck ,you can rent a compressor and gun at home depot too save yourself some cash
3. Yes, you can use a finish nailer. Nail the top of the tongue at a 45 degree angle. The floor will have a tendency to split even with a finish nailer so you may want to rent a flooring nailer. This will be much faster and the splitting wont be much worse, if any. Experiment with the air pressure and use just enough, you don't need to bury the fastener in the board.