Fasten trimming with finish nails and a nail gun

Fastening trimming with finish nails is efficient. They have small heads that sink into the wood, which means that they are barely visible and easy to plaster or paint over. If, in addition, you use a nail gun, you save time and energy, you achieve better precision at the same time, and have a hand free to hold the trimming with. You can read more here about which finish nails and nail guns are best suited for fastening trimming. 

Choosing the right finish nails when you fasten trimming

Having a finish nail of the right length is crucial for a good result. The rule is simple: the finish nail must be three times as long as the thickness of the trimming that you are going to fasten. Read more in our guide:

Choosing the right length of finish nail

Click on the icon to see our range of special finish nails

Choosing the right nail gun when you are nailing trimming

Firstly, the nail gun must be suitable for the length of finish nail you need. If you have a major project, it’s a good idea to use a pneumatic nail gun, which gives you extra power and efficiency. But this does mean of course that you will need a compressor. For minor projects, we recommend an electric nail gun with a power cord or battery.

A few tips when you fasten skirting board with finish nails

Make sure that the skirting board is at room temperature

Leave the skirting board in the room for 24h before you fasten it. It makes the work easier and reduces the risk of cracks. 

Measure carefully beforehand

Measure the trimming sections carefully and cut them with a mitre saw to get precision intersections. 

Hold the nail gun straight

Hold the nail gun parallel to the floor. The nail gun’s nozzle must be placed right against the skirting board when you drive in the finish nails.

Nail down both edges

If the skirting board is wider than 5 centimetres, you should nail down both edges. Nail into each stud – the standard distance between studs is 60 cm on inner walls.

Countersink with a nail driver

If a finish nail head is sticking out, you can use a nail driver to countersink it into the skirting board to avoid hammer marks.

Glue the joints

Apply wood glue between the joints of different trimming elements to hide gaps.