What’s the Best Stapler and Staples for Carpet Installation?
Carpet staplers provide an easy way to secure carpet and padding to the subfloor and tack strip. They fit in tight areas, like corners and along stairs, and can be electric or manual.
There are inexpensive carpet stapler guns if you can’t afford an electric model. The best carpet staplers are time-saving, but each has perks and downsides.
The 4 Main Types of Staplers for Carpeting
The two most common carpet staplers are electric and manual, but there are two more types – pneumatic and slap staplers – to choose from.
1. Pneumatic Staplers
Pneumatic staplers use compressed air to drive staples into a carpet. They’re fast and have a capacity for many staples before refilling. Since air provides high driving power when stapling, the gun could pose a safety risk to amateurs.
2. Electric Staplers
Electric staplers hook to a power cord and use electricity to connect carpet seams. They penetrate soft and hard surfaces, so you can use them to attach broadlooms and wall carpets. Electric staplers offer more precision and are quieter than pneumatic models.
3. Manual Staplers
Manual staplers are inexpensive but require a lot of physical strength to operate. They can also lead to uneven staple depths, depending on the user’s power.
4. Slap Stapler
A slap hammer tacker is like a manual carpet stapler but uses a mechanism similar to a standard hammer to release staples. A slap stapler is popular for the installation of carpet pads. The biggest con to this type of stapler is uneven staple distribution.
Top Staple Gun Brands for Carpeting
- Best Overall: REXBETI Staple Gun
- Best Pneumatic: Bostitch MIIIFS Pneumatic Carpet Stapler
- Best Electric: ROBERTS Electric Carpet Stapler
- Best Manual: YEAHOME 4-in-1 Stapler Gun
Best Overall: REXBETI Staple Gun
Available on Amazon, Rexbetitools.
The REXBETI is a manual staple gun with a strength adjustment bolt that lets users determine how deep the staples penetrate. Its design allows the use of both hands, making it easier to drive staples into the floor.
It comes with 2,600 staples, including a mix of D-Type, U-Type, and T-Type. At 3.32 pounds, the REXBETI staple gun is lightweight and easy to handle. Its thick carbon steel build also ensures durability.
Best Pneumatic: Bostitch MIIIFS Pneumatic Carpet Stapler
The Bostitch MIIIFS is a pneumatic carpet stapler with extra-wide base plates to drive 1½ to 2-inch carpet staples. Its magazine holds 92 staples to cover a large area without refill. The stapler has a simple and ergonomic construction, making it easy to drive staples into the carpet.
Bostitch’s stapler graphite and padded mallet are easy on the hands even with continuous use. Its pre-finished floorboard adapter foot also prevents damaging the floors. The biggest downside is that the stapler doesn’t include an air hose adapter which is necessary for installation.
Best Electric: ROBERTS Electric Carpet Stapler
Available on Amazon, Homedepot.
ROBERTS is the best electric carpet stapler for stairs. It’s quiet and works on both high and low-pile carpets. Its compact design allows users to access hard-to-reach areas for carpet installation. It also features an ergonomic handle and rubber grips to prevent blistering.
This electric stapler is lightweight at 6 pounds and features a portability case and a long, 12-foot power cord.
Best Manual: YEAHOME 4-in-1 Stapler Gun
YEAHOME 4-in-1 manual staple gun features low and high power modes for hard and soft surfaces. It uses staples or nails for installation. It also features lightweight steel construction for durability and rust resistance.
The stapler’s non-slip handle is comfortable and easy to use. It’s highly rated and an inexpensive carpet stapler option.
What’s the Right Staple Size for Carpet Padding Installation?
Heavy-duty carpet staples sized ⅜-inch or more are suitable for carpet padding. A hammer tacker/ slap stapler fastens the carpet pad along the edge of the tack strip. There should be a 6-inch distance between each staple along all padding edges.
How to Use an Electric Carpet Stapler
Unplug the power cord and lock the trigger to prevent accidental firing. Use a release switch to open the magazine and load the staples upside down. Close the chamber and ensure it locks into place. Connect the electric stapler to a power source.
Stretch out the carpet and pull the trigger to release the staples. To prevent staple marks, separate the carpet fibers and fasten the staples to the backing. Ensure the staples are at least 4 inches apart.
Why Use a Stapler for Carpet Installation?
Ease of Use
Carpet staplers have a simple and ergonomic design. Most types are easy to load and suitable for beginners. They’re also lightweight, which makes them easy to carry around during installation.
Sturdier Installation
Staples provide sturdier installation than tape. Carpet staplers are versatile and suitable for hardwood floors and upholstery projects, too.
Provide Greater Flexibility
Carpet staplers’ compact design makes them reach corners that are hard to access. They’re also ideal for installing carpets on stairs. Users can install different staple sizes and nails depending on the carpet pile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Are staples stronger than nails?
Staples are sometimes stronger than nails. They have a wider head than nails, which makes them more effective at securing carpet seams. Nails go deeper into the carpet, which results in a firm installation. But heavy-duty nails are more visible than staples.
Can you use a nail gun on a carpet?
Yes, nail guns are ideal for installing thick carpets. Brad nails are handy for low-pile carpets since they’re invisible. But they’re thin, so they may not be suitable for rigid fibers.
Why does my staple gun keep jamming?
Staple jamming is caused by overfilling and using the wrong size of staples. The staples bend or get cramped when you pull the trigger. You’ll need to clear the jammed staples to unlock the staple gun using needle-nose pliers.
How do you load a carpet staple gun?
Turn the stapler upside down to load staples in the magazine. Pull the magazine back and load the staples upside down. Press the sides of the trigger button and close the magazine. Once you hear a snap, release the trigger and plug in the stapler.