Hardwood Floors August/September 2025

AT THE SITE The Wood Floor Mallet (Continued)

ALTERNATIVE AND EMERGING TOOLS

Tapping blocks

While traditional flooring mallets remain standard for many hardwood installations, alternative tools are very common, and in some cases a requirement for the floor being installed. Tapping blocks, for instance, often are used with thinner profile engineered wood floors, where the tongue-and-groove may not be able to withstand the impact of a traditional flooring mallet. Tapping blocks are designed specifically to join engineered wood floor planks together with much less force, while reducing the risk of damage to the board. Many flooring manufacturers require the use of a designated tapping block instead of a flooring mallet for installation.

More recently, “ring hammers” or mallet rings have entered the market. These tools have become a common tool for parquet installations in the European market. They are made from a similar high-grade rubber as used in traditional mallets, but they are donut-shaped and designed to offer a different ergonomic

Ring hammer

option for applying tapping force while reducing fatigue. These tools are ideal for the precision and delicacy often needed when installing a patterned parquet floor. The mallet used for wood floor installation is far more than a simple striking tool. Its performance and longevity depend on the quality and compatibility of its core components. Each part is engineered for specific functions, from reducing

installer fatigue to minimizing damage to premium flooring materials. A well-made traditional mallet remains a cornerstone tool in hardwood installation, delivering precision and reliability in every strike. Brett Miller is the vice president of technical standards, education, and membership for the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. He can be reached at brett.miller@nwfa.org.

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