Some common applications for 20 gauge fine wire staples include:
Securing roof underlayment:
20 gauge staples are commonly used to secure roofing underlayment materials like felt paper and synthetic barriers to the roof decking. The fine wire staples can penetrate these thin materials.
Attaching vapor barriers:
20 gauge staples are also used to attach vapor barrier membranes to the underside of floors, subfloors and even walls prior to installing flooring or wall finishes.
Fastening insulation:
Fine wire staples in 20 or 22 gauge are often used to secure batt insulation and loosely installed fiberglass or cellulose insulation materials into place.
Stapling wire meshes:
20 gauge staples can be used to fasten fine wire meshes, chicken wire and hardware cloth to wooden frames and surfaces for applications like insect screening.
Installing siding:
20 gauge staples may be used along with 16 or 18 gauge staples to fasten some types of vinyl, metal and fiber cement siding to exterior walls. They can securely grab thin siding edges.
Attaching subfloor underlayment:
Fine wire staples are useful for stapling underlayment felt and padding to wood subfloors prior to installing laminate or engineered wood flooring.
Temporary assembly:
20 gauge staples are suitable for temporarily assembling projects during construction due to their light duty use and ease of removal.
20 gauge fine wire staples are useful for applications that require a lighter duty staple capable of securely fastening thin materials like underlayments, barriers, insulations, meshes and siding. Their narrow wire gauge allows penetration of materials that thicker gauge staples cannot.