What’s the Best Stapler and Staples for Carpet Installation?
The best staple gun should be easy to use and offer optimal carpet reinforcement. Carpet staplers are ideal for smaller carpet installation projects. They don’t leave noticeable marks and are DIY-friendly.
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
There are various stapler models on the market. The two most common are electric and manual.
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. They’re also heavier than electric staplers.
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 ones.
3. Manual Staplers
While manual staplers need a lot of physical strength to squeeze the trigger. Yet, they’re portable due to their small size. Since the user controls the force applied by the carpet stapler, the staple depths may be uneven.
4. Slap Stapler
A slap hammer tacker is like a manual carpet stapler. But a slap stapler hammers the staples into the carpet. It uses a mechanism similar to a standard hammer. It results in uneven distribution of staples. A slap stapler is popular for the installation of carpet pads.
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 staple gun comes with some safety tips for DIY beginners. It lets users operate with both hands to prevent staples from getting stuck. Users control how deep carpet staples go in the pile with the strength adjustment bolt.
The kit also includes different staples for all DIY projects. 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 carpet stapler has 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. The design makes 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. But, the stapler doesn’t feature 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 has an ergonomic handle and rubber grips to prevent blistering during installation.
The electric stapler is lightweight at 6 pounds and features a portability case. It also features a 12-foot power cord for convenience when installing a wide carpet area.
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 steel construction for durability and rust resistance.
The stapler’s non-slip handle is comfortable and easy to use. It’s also lightweight and needs less energy when pulling the trigger.
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
First, you’ll need to load the electric 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 use for beginners. They’re also lightweight, which makes them easy to carry around during installation.
Sturdier Installation
Staples provide a sturdier installation than tape. Using heavy-duty staples ensures optimal reinforcement. Carpet staplers are versatile and suitable for hardwood floors and upholstery projects.
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.