Upholstery of the furniture is an art form that requires precision and creativity. Whether it’s for a DIY revamping of an old chair or getting a professional upholstery service for your furniture, there is one thing you must choose correctly. This is the right staple size – choosing the right one ensures durability and a polished look for your upholstery. Staples are important to secure the fabric, foam, and other materials to your furniture’s frame. So, what size staples for upholstery do you need?
So, in this guide, we will tell you in detail what staple size is needed for Upholstery in Dubai.
Understanding Upholstery Staples
These upholstery staples come in a variety of sizes. They are measured in two specifications: one is its thickness, called ‘’Gauge’’ and the other is the depth, called ‘’Leg Length’’. The most commonly used ones are the following three.
- 20-gauge staples with a fine wire
- 18-gauge staples with a medium wire
- 16-gauge staple with heavy wire
Each of these staples has certain specifications – you choose the right one based on your upholstery material and the furniture type.
Staple Length and Applications
The staple’s length determines how well it secures the fabric and foam. This is a breakdown of the various staple lengths & how they are used.
1/4-inch (6mm) Staples
These are right for soft fabrics like velvet, thin leather, or silk. You can use them for light-duty applications where limited penetration is needed. Use it for fabric that requires limited tacking instead of a secure fitting.
3/8-inch (10mm) Staples
These are the staples used for most general upholstery projects. They work best for medium-weight fabrics such as vinyl, polyester, and cotton, offering a firm grip without excessive penetration within the furniture frame.
1/2-inch (12mm) Staples
These are perfect for thick and dense fabrics like denim, canvas, or heavily padded upholstery. When you use these staples, they offer a stronger hold, for instance, a great option for Sofa Upholstery projects.
9/16-inch (14mm) Staples
This staple length attaches a thick foam or multiple layers of fabric. They are mostly used for the upholstery of automotive and heavy-duty furniture projects.
5/8-inch (16mm) and 3/4-inch (19mm) Staples
This staple length is designed for thick materials such as carpets and dense foam. They are not used for your common upholstery projects, but they are still useful for certain projects that need deeper penetration.
Choosing the Right Staples for Your Project
The choice of the right staple size for upholstery depends on the following factors.
Fabric Type
The thickness and weight of the upholstery fabric will determine which staple length is the right one. For a lightweight fabric, the short-length staple is best whereas thicker fabrics require longer staples for a secure hold.
Frame Material
The type of wood used for furniture will affect the penetration of your staples. Softwood like pine is ideal for longer staples, whereas hardwood like oak needs shorter staples to prevent wood splitting.
Padding and Foam Thickness
If you are planning to install thick foam, you will need longer staples to secure it to the upholstery. For thinner padding, we recommend using the shorter gauge staples.
Staple Gauge
There are generally 3 following gauges for an upholstery staple and their uses.
20-gauge staples: These are made of fine metal wire – right for soft fabrics.
18-gauge staples: These feature a medium wire that offers balanced strength and flexibility – perfect for every upholstery project.
16-gauge staples: These are heavy metal wire build staples – ideal for heavy-duty upholstery works like Custom Made Furniture.
Types of Upholstery Staple Guns
The right staple size for upholstery is also affected by which staple gun you use. These are the 3 general types of staple guns.
Manual Staple Guns
These are used for small DIY projects – perfect for light-duty upholstery. They require much physical effort to operate.
Electric Staple Guns
These are built for larger projects to provide consistent results with minimal effort. They work best with 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch staples.
Pneumatic (Air-Powered) Staple Guns
This staple gun is the perfect choice for professional upholsterers as it offers stronger penetration, like for hardwood frames. You can use this staple gun with almost every staple gauge and length.
Tips for Stapling Upholstery Like a Pro
These are some helpful tips to do upholstery stapling like a professional upholsterer.
- You should first match the staple length to the frame & material of upholstery.
- Place your staples about half an inch apart from each other to get that secure hold.
- You can prevent the staple gun from jamming by aiming a straight, firm placement at a right angle.
- Do not start on the main furniture; instead, do a bit of testing on a scrap piece of wood and fabric.
- In case you make mistakes during stapling, remove the misplaced staples to prevent fabric damage.
Conclusion
What size staples for upholstery to use has been a tricky subject for many homeowners. But with our complete guide above, you will know which staple size is right for your furniture frame and the upholstery materials. Use the right staples and a proper staple gun—both are essential for high-quality upholstery work.
