Selecting the best staples requires understanding their holding capabilities and material composition. Whether you're securing roof felts or installing vapour barriers, staples provide reliable fastening strength.

Each application requires specific staple properties, including leg length, crown width, coating type, and gauge. Heavy duty staples and stainless steel options are designed for more demanding environments where standard fasteners may not be suitable.

What is the Right Leg Length for Heavy Duty Staples When Installing Insulation?

For insulation installation, heavy duty staples should penetrate the substrate by at least 10mm beyond the thickness of the insulation. For example, when installing 25mm thick insulation, use staples with a minimum leg length of 35mm.

When working with compressed insulation, add an extra 6mm to the leg length. This ensures a strong grip once the material expands.

Why Do I Need Heavy Duty Staples for Roofing Felt Installation?

Heavy duty staples are essential for roofing felt installation for several reasons:

• They provide superior holding power against wind uplift and maintain integrity during extreme weather conditions.
• The wider crown distributes the load better and prevents felt tear-through during installation and use.
• They resist pull-through under thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining a weather-tight seal.
• The protective coating ensures long-term resistance against moisture and weathering in roofing applications.

How Does Moisture Content Impact the Required Length of Heavy Duty Staples in Subflooring?

Moisture content affects staple performance in subflooring. When wood moisture content exceeds 15%, longer heavy duty staples are needed to maintain grip strength. For every 5% increase in moisture content above 15%, increase the staple length by 6mm to account for potential wood movement.

If moisture content fluctuates seasonally, always use longer staples to ensure long-term holding power.

What is the Minimum Spacing Between Stainless Steel Staples for Fitting Vapour Barriers?

The maximum spacing should not exceed 300mm along seams and edges. For field attachment, maintain 16-inch spacing both horizontally and vertically. In high-wind zones or coastal areas, reduce spacing to 200mm.

In temperature-controlled spaces, maintain consistent spacing to prevent barrier billowing (bubbling or waving due to air pressure differences). Double the number of staples around penetrations and corners to ensure proper sealing.

Always overlap seams by at least 150mm and secure with staggered staple patterns.

Which Exterior Applications Require Stainless Steel Staples Instead of Galvanised Staples?

Stainless steel staples are crucial for exterior applications with high corrosion risk, such as coastal environments and areas with regular chemical exposure. They are also required for securing materials in spaces with humidity above 80%, such as swimming pool enclosures and greenhouse construction.

In industrial environments with potential chemical exposure, stainless steel staples offer superior corrosion resistance. Areas experiencing frequent freeze-thaw cycles also benefit from stainless steel's durability.