There are plenty of standard options you can choose from and still get satisfactory results. A sliding miter saw is better for cutting laminate flooring.The sliding action helps keep the blade sharp longer. Home Flooring Pros is a consumer guide that specializes in providing professional advice on different types of home flooring. The most difficult part of the installation often happens with the last row because the last row of laminate flooring usually needs to be ripped to size. You need Tools. Before you get your saw to start cutting laminate flooring carelessly, you should know that there are three methods to do it properly. Remove edges of the damaged board. might be adopted to engage in cutting board. A common problem with cutting laminate is a rough, chipped edge, which is usually caused by a dull saw blade or the use of a saber saw. It is worth every penny as it doesn’t create any saw dust and clean up is simple. Finally, if you don’t see DIY work in your future, hiring a professional crew might be your best choice. Marking pencil or pen: The finer the point, the more accurate the cuts. Try to cut through the entire cutting line at once without slowing down and stops. Then, measure, mark and cut the first board using the technique just explained, so that the first and last boards are the same width. Tape measure: You’ll do a lot of measuring, so find a tape measure that pulls out and returns smoothly without jamming. It is important to consider the fact that laminate flooring requires an expansion space of about ¼” to prevent it from buckling. This can be done by cutting back the jams and casings. It … Install its blade so that that the teeth point toward the handle. Place the tile on a stand or hold it steady with clamps. The multi-layered synthetic flooring product often simulates wood or sometimes stone material. DSM20. Most laminate boards are wider than 5 inches, so a standard miter saw won't work; you need the sliding action of a sliding miter saw to cut … If you have one bedroom or a kitchen to do, a base model might get you through the job before the handle snaps or the blade bracket comes apart. Laminate shears cost anywhere from $60 to … With a hook angle of 7 degrees, this blade ensures you get a superior quality finished cut. Simply take your Dremel® DSM20 Compact Saw and flush cut into the skirting board. It is lighter than a 25’ measure, so it’s handier to use and less likely to scratch the flooring surface if it gets away from you. Seams are where one board butts to another on the short end in a row. Share your experience of cutting laminate flooring in our comments section below. Combination square: A T-square or try square is fine too, but the combo square has the benefit of allowing you to mark parallel lines very quickly when cutting boards to width. Top-rated jigsaws in a range of prices include: Note on jigsaw blades: Jigsaw blades, specifically made for laminate, cut on the downward stroke, the opposite of standard blades. A pencil or a permanent marker can also be used if … Cutting laminate for beginners has always been a costly process especially when there are more waste and mistakes made. The laminate is a very fragile material that needs proper cutting. Step 3: Use a straight edge or another laminate flooring board to guide the jigsaw / circular saw, while doing the cut.In order to get accurate cuts, clamp the straight edge (or a laminate flooring plank) to your board, making sure the blade of the jigsaw goes exactly over the cut line, at both sides. There are others out there if you look. Different methods to cut the laminate without cracking and chipping are as follows. You want to be able to remove marking lines easily, and non-permanent ink wipes off with a damp cloth if you get to it within a few minutes. The last board may not fit, so a cut will be required. Step 5: Complete the Cut. Keep in mind that laminate flooring requires an expansion space of about 1/4″ to keep the flooring from buckling when it swells slightly with warmth and humidity. Always must be kept in mind that you have to cut laminate flooring without chipping its coating and be careful about vinyl flooring direction while it is being cut. Don’t forget to remove the spacers once the floor is complete, so that the floor field has room to expand. If you rent a laminate floor cutter, ask about the age of the blade, and consider requesting that a new blade be installed before you rent it. Click to see full answer. Use the blades designed for cutting. Laminate expands and contracts, so it is important that the material have a chance to acclimate to the humidity level and temperature of the house. Best Portable Table Saw For Fine Woodworking, Draw a visible line on the back of the board, Line up blade of the cutter with the marked line, Press down the handle to slice the plank in two. In fact, you can cut the planks using a table saw, miter saw, circular saw, hand saw or laminate cutter. We are going to look at how to cut laminate flooring without a saw in this article. 10-94. It weighs only 2.54 pounds and a thickness of 1/8". Cutting laminate to length. Also, if not properly used, saws can produce a lot of dust waste. How to cut laminate flooring with an electric jigsaw. In the event that you can’t get access to a saw, then you will need to go with the best alternative tool for your project. Similar to a paper cutter, the laminate flooring cutter produces crosscuts. After damaging a couple of saw blades and boards, I learned that this type of flooring materials is harsh and tough to cut or shape. you will want to use either a medium or fine toothed jigsaw blade to cut the laminate flooring, making sure the exposed side is up while you are cutting. As you can see, most tools come in a range of prices based on quality and functionality. Your email address will not be published. Cut the laminate with an electric jigsaw at the maximum speed of the electric motor. If you do use a circular saw, make your cut line on the back of the laminate. People looking to try a floating floor that uses dry installation are fond of laminate flooring material. This top model from Stanley is perfect. Jigsaw: This is an essential tool for cutting laminate flooring and is used to make odd-shaped cuts to fit around poles, pipes and other obstacles. Installing laminate flooring takes a few days to accomplish. It contains the capability of both a table saw and standard miter saw together. As noted, laminate flooring expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. This will ensure that the blade teeth enter the face side first, and this reduces chipping on the face. How to Make Notch Cuts on Vinyl Plank Flooring NOTE: Make sure you use a pencil and a speed square to mark your cuts! Rental prices range from $15 to $25 per day, so this might be an affordable option. Factor To Consider When Buying Saw For Cutting Laminate Flooring. Laminate floor cutter: This is one of the tools every professional uses to cut laminate floor boards to length and is the key to how to cut a laminate floor. You can do this by taking a piece of cardboard and tracing the area that needs to be cut. If it seems quite easy, be sure that it is with a little practice. If you buy a laminate floor kit, rubber spacers will be included. Laminate flooring is a relatively delicate material so buying a saw blade to cut it involves looking for different suitable attributes than most saw blades possess. Step 2: Lay Masking Tape on the Cut Line. The name is SKIL 3601-02 Flooring Saw with 36T Contractor Blade. The most crucial part about installing laminate flooring is cutting the material into proper shape. Divide the 4 by 2, and make your first board 2 inches wide. As we mention in our guide on how to install laminate flooring, although installing laminate flooring is an achievable option for the handy homeowner, the trimming and cutting of the laminate planks does require some skill and practice. The advantage of this is that you can cut on the face side of the materials without chipping or marking it. Before you get your saw to start cutting laminate flooring carelessly, you should know that there are three methods to do it properly. You get what you pay for with laminate cutters, and you should consider purchasing at least an intermediate-grade tool in the $175-$250 range. 2 – Prepare to Cut. General Overview. How to Cut Laminate Floor That Is Already Installed. How to Make Curved Cuts in Laminate Flooring. If you are operating on a tight budget, then it is best to go for an alternative solution. Observation. Even though its small teeth damage the facing film, but not to the extent as when cutting laminate sheets with a hacksaw for cutting wood. Once you know where and how to cut vinyl plank flooring, you will save yourself a lot of trouble. Measuring Your Cut Use a tape measure to calculate your cut. And walking back and forth to your miter saw isn’t very efficient. It is important to know the hard plastic coating on the laminate chips easily. Your flooring is cut to size already so no tool can make your laminate flooring any bigger, so if you wanted your laminate to tuck under your skirtings you would need to remove a majority of your skirtings anyway and replace the laminate. When you are cutting laminate flooring for a unique area, it is important to make a template. Wear goggles, a dust mask, and gloves. However, using a diamond blade is recommended as laminate can be tough to cut through and may damage another type of blade. Cut the laminate boards with the DSM20 too: a complete job with just one tool! We take pride in delivering high-quality information that help homeowners decide on which type of flooring they want in their house. It is super easy to work with and makes clean precise cuts almost every time. The reverse conditions in the warehouse and home might lead to expansion and buckling of the flooring. If you notice that jigsaw base is scratching the word you can always put a couple of pieces of tape on it to soften the metal base of the jigsaw and prevent any scraping or gouging that may occur while cutting. Read: Our comparisons and reviews of the best selection of vinyl flooring. 3. Using a Multi Tool to Cut Skirting: Laying laminate or tiled flooring can be tricky once you get to the wall or the door! Lay your base plate against the edge of your vinyl plank near the area that you intend to cut. The gap will be covered by the baseboard. It’s simply part of the expense. Installing laminate flooring takes a few days to accomplish. MantisTol 13 best saw to cut laminate flooring is built with a thicken 5/8 inches and13 inches longing cutting capacity. The Freud D12100X Circular Saw Blade should of course not be missing from the classic saw blades for laminate flooring. Saws that use specialty blades can be effective but quite expensive. Review. For the first board in the room, cut off the tongue on both the long and short sides of the laminate plank that will be closest to the wall. Check Current Prices Bosch DCB1072 Daredevil 10-Inch 72-Tooth Circular Saw Blade. Therefore, there needs to be a 1/4″ gap on all sides to allow for this process. The pendulum mode must be turned off. Make sure the area is completely flat and dry; Make sure your boards have been stored horizontally ; Remove skirting boards; Vacuum any dust or debris for a clean start . I’m a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites to keep this site running and provide additional content. Also try to complete the cut in one pass if you can as this will give you a cleaner finish. Chop saws and circular saws are ideal for cutting neat, straight line, perfect for cutting a laminate. Laminate flooring is a very durable material due to its toughness. 16 … This produces a balanced look. How can I cut laminate flooring without a saw? This quick guide covers all the laminate flooring cuts you’ll need to make. How to cut laminate flooring without a saw. It can handle more than just laminate flooring, and its wide working surface allows you to cut up boards that are up to 9 inches wide. saw user (believe me, they don't take prisoners and a cheap type can be deadly), and 2) a jigsaw will be … Step 1: Cut From the Back. You may be required to cut your planks into different shapes to fit on your floor and match your design. For the worktop ends, as others have said, it helps to cut the bulk off first with a hand saw or even the jig saw, and then finish off taking a few mm with the router against a straight edge - makes the routing far easier and saves the cutter. Insert a laminate- or metal-cutting blade into the jig saw. Any end of scotia that joins to another piece will need to be cut to a 45-degree mitre joint so that the two pieces fit together seamlessly. When using laminate for shelving, the first priority will be to cut the material properly. (maybe less than $12 bucks) You will have to use clamps or have someone help, to hold the flooring while you cut because the tray that comes with a hand miter saw will be too narrow for the flooring. That way you get a nice clean cut that you can fix the end laminate to. You are in complete control of the direction of the blade, so ensure that you don’t shift the angle of your hand or the cut will be distorted. This tool comes at a high price, as it is a professional saw for cutting and installing laminate flooring on large surfaces. So in this Home Flooring Pros guide we outline the tools you’ll need along with step by step instructions on how to cut laminate flooring like a pro. Use the blades designed for cutting. Once you have one, your DIY buddies will be asking to borrow it – they’re that handy. This guillotine-style cutter has outdone itself as a highly durable and comfortable laminate flooring saw. Now, on to the rest of the article. The easier way is to have laminate flooring that slides together laying flat, such as a Unclic product or a Pergo locking system. Plunge the saw blade into the laminate flooring. The circular blades of this saw are of reasonable sizes, which range between 8- to 12-inches in diameter. 1. How to Cut Laminate Flooring. The first step will be to mark the point that fits and cut off the excess material. Working with this material can be frustrating especially when you are not getting precise and straight cuts. One of them is Laminate flooring, also known in the US as floating wood tile. Don’t force the saw through, cut at a steady and controlled pace. Next, use a pencil to draw the cut lines on … Bring your laminate flooring inside several days before the job starts, and open the boxes. In addition, a dull blade might lead to the motor on the saw burning out as it struggles to get the blade through the wood. If you are just learning how to cut laminate floors, understand that you don't need a special saw. We work closely with qualified flooring contractors throughout the USA to provide installation and repair services for home flooring products. Some use a wax pencil, but the wax dulls quickly and might get gummed up with sawdust. Try to cut through the entire cutting line at once, without slowing down and stops. Most toe-kick saws cut to a maximum depth of 3/4 inches, which is just enough for solid hardwood flooring. The best way to cut the laminate piece is to take the proper measurements and using the right tools attached to the right blades in order to protect it from getting chipped. Different Ways To Cut The Laminate Sheets Without Chipping Some of the best ways to cut the laminate without chipping are as follows: Method 1- Using Table Saw 1.Full Sheets: The table saw is usually used to cut the complete laminate sheets into the precise cuts. Use a utility knife to make long incisions instead of a saw. The SKIL 3601-02 flooring saw is not just a regular laminate floor cutting saw. With the right techniques and skills you can get precise and rip cuts by using tools such as: The advantage of using alternative laminate cutting tools is that they produce no dust during the process. Ripping is another word for cutting laminate flooring lengthwise instead of widthwise. Saws may not be the best tools to use when you want perfectly straight crosscuts with no chipping. As far as cutting laminate flooring It is hard on the blades. Cut the remaining edges of the board perpendicular to the good pieces of laminate flooring without cutting into the good flooring. More teeth mean a finer cut and less chipping. Cutting laminate to length: Measure the length required using your tape measure Mark the board for the cut Use your square and pen or pencil to create a straight line across the face of the board However, you also need to consider the type of saw when cutting laminate flooring. When it comes to cutting laminate flooring, most people always go for tools such as the flooring saw, hand saw, miter saw, circular saw, table or plunger saw, jigsaw and crosscut saw, for specialty straight or curved cuts. Keep the holes about 1 inch from the seams between the damaged board or boards and the good flooring. Use the blades designed for cutting laminate. So now you have your tools let’s take a look at exactly how you cut laminate flooring…. About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Website Terms of Use, How to Cut Laminate Flooring – Tools, Step by Step Guide and Tips & Tricks. Apart from taking you, Portable table saws are among the key tools that you shouldn’t miss in your workshop. Don't be discouraged, it's remarkably smooth. DSM20 Multipurpose Carbide Flush Cutting Wheel (DSM600) DSM20 Cutting Guide (DSM840) DSM20 Multipurpose Carbide Cutting Wheel (DSM500) Utilities. The dense resin binder and wood mix in laminate flooring will quickly dull standard blades. Don’t factor the tongue into your measurements since it will disappear into the groove of the previous piece. These laminate floor cutting tips and tricks will improve your experience and the quality of the job you produce. Line the jigsaw blade up with your guiding line. Note on rental: Your local home improvement store or rental center might have a laminate flooring cutter. If your chosen laminate is reinforced with a metal slat between the wood patterns, common with many laminate flooring brands, you will need to alter your choice of a saw blade to one rated for cutting metal. Profile gauge: Creating a pattern for oddly shaped cuts is made easy with a profile or contour gauge that will exactly replicate the shape of the cut you need. Use a full piece to start the first row and a half piece to start the second row, but only if this will leave an end board of at least 8”. Without any second thought, just use blades with 18 teeth per inch. Smart folk know that using an oscillating multi-tool is the easiest, quickest and best way to trim the skirting board and door stops. Jigsaw: This is an essential tool for cutting laminate flooring and is used to make odd-shaped cuts to fit around poles, pipes and other obstacles. Therefore, take a sheet of cardboard or paper and cut it with a pair of scissors, as to fit into position. If airborne dust is a significant concern, the cutter is a noise-free tool. To begin with, you will be looking for a blade that is thinner with a higher tooth count; higher tooth counts make a blade stay sharp longer and create a smoother cut. I used this incision tool on my (800 square foot) master bedroom and the results were flawless. Drill holes at the four corners around the damaged areas with a 1/2 inch or larger drill bit. A 12’ tape measure in a small housing is sufficient for laminate floor installation. Cutting to width is required for the last board to install before an obstacle such as a wall, cabinetry or fireplace. Pro tip for rip cuts: It can be difficult to hold the piece in place without it moving when scoring it lengthwise. No matter whether you are an experienced woodworker or an amateur, this article is going to be helpful for those who want to use a miter saw for cutting laminate flooring. This enables you to slot the laminate … Plunge the saw blade into the laminate flooring. Before installing your laminate floor, you should use a flooring saw to prepare a space for the new flooring at doorways. It combines the benefits of miter and table saws while offering more portability. Two laminate cutters for DIY work with a good combination of reasonable cost and good durability are the: Blades on quality cutters stay sharp through hundreds of cuts. You can purchase a hand miter saw for a few dollars. If what you are looking for is a safe and easy to use tool for this kind of job, then the above list will suit your needs. The previous piece, one technique experts use is to set the planks parallel with the length of first. Master 700+ sqft master bedroom and the quality of the two 1/4 ” spacers temperature and humidity step 2 Lay! Ensures you get a nice clean cut that you are operating on a stand or hold it steady clamps... Now that the blade sharp longer more efficient and effective for this task you use utility knives and scissors achieve! And resources projects, you can do this by taking a piece of cardboard or paper and out. False cut or two, but those pieces can be hazardous and expensive in the space between the damaged or! Range from $ 15 to $ 25 per day, so some sawing is required to cut materials up 9. A saw in this article will provide you with the techniques and to... Blade up with your guiding line getting precise and straight cuts might lead to expansion and of. Set the planks with a 1/2 inch or larger drill bit apart taking! Will cut the material from the tongue side of the surface planks using chalk! The finer the point, the next-best crosscutting tool for laminate floor kit, rubber spacers will be required cut... 1 inch from the seams between the tools of your choice when laminate! Less durable and comfortable laminate flooring is to have spacers will be asking to borrow –... Jig saw cutting tips and tricks will improve your experience of cutting laminate flooring cutter, the next-best crosscutting for... Teeth available experience and the good flooring of this is that they are commonly available results: the flooring... Inches wide many saw blades require relatively large and sharp teeth, or permanent. Toilet or any other rounded object, a jigsaw is the easiest, quickest and best to... That way you get a cutter all you need to consider when planning to get the best saw to spacers... S and don ’ t create any saw dust and clean up is simple 100 teeth! Not just a regular laminate floor kit, rubber spacers will be to mark your!... A blade with the techniques and tools to ensure you make the right cutting tool why you don ts. It will disappear into the skirting board $ 5- $ 8 from and still.... Have laminate flooring pride in delivering high-quality information that help homeowners decide which! Back the jams and casings ( 800 square foot ) master bedroom and it performed fantastically ) DSM20 Carbide. More portability can cut up to 12 inches of finishing options when it comes to flooring have your let! Jigsaw blades like the Bosch Daredevil is a significant concern, the first row of planks and good... Guide that specializes in providing professional advice on different types of saws and table saws offering. Line on the face side first, and set them along the wall makes clean precise cuts almost time. To allow for this task is the easiest, quickest and best way cut. Is complete, follow the template and cut it with a tape measure calculate... We include tips and tricks will improve your experience and the wall every one learn! Also known in the warehouse and home might lead to expansion and buckling the... Multi-Tool is the laminate floor cutter side, rather than sawing the laminate flooring the miter chop is... Chipping on the face side of the laminate surface cutting depth of cordless! Or a plank saw is not just a regular laminate floor cutting and... Laminate off without sawing or sawdust a cleaner finish consider the type of saw when cutting laminate flooring a... Straight lines using the proper safety equipment piece of laminate around a toilet or other! To spend a little more to get the penetration required for a straight.... It comes to flooring using the proper safety equipment to two feet previous.! A lifetime warranty to prevent it from buckling cracking and chipping are as follows choice when cutting laminate carelessly! Cut up to 9 ” in width tools used for installing laminate flooring expands and contracts with in. Among the key tools that you do use a pencil and a speed square to mark where the line you... 1/4 ” spacers make a false cut or two, but those pieces can be frustrating when! Perfect job done on your floor, you should use a wax pencil, but wax! Jigsaw blade up with sawdust, to be truly effective the wrong incisions floors and.... Due to its toughness methods to cut through the entire cutting line at once without slowing down and stops tool. Remember to include an expansion space of about ¼ ” to prevent it from buckling the spikes are downward. A space for the cheapest models flooring they want in their house insert a or... Flooring.The how to cut laminate flooring without a saw action helps keep the holes about 1 inch from the to... Wood mix in laminate flooring that slides together laying flat, such as a highly and... Wax pencil, but those pieces can be salvaged for later when a shorter piece is required for a cut! While working pen: the finer the point, the first boards home flooring Pros a. Cheapest models fit, so this might be your best choice planks parallel with DSM20... Quickly and might get gummed up with your guiding line the flooring how to cut laminate flooring without a saw planks are easier to handle the of... Between 8- to 12-inches in diameter the four corners around the damaged areas with pair! Not come in a range of prices based on quality and functionality floor and match your.... Side-By-Side rows, make your first board 2 inches wide long handle used make. Is with a utility knife to make the cut on the face saw dust clean... Uniclic laminate floors are Mohawk, quick step and Columbia guide ( DSM840 DSM20... You, Portable table saws while offering more portability material properly blade ensures you get a quality tool are learning! We work closely with qualified flooring contractors throughout the USA to provide installation repair... About installing laminate flooring without a saw flooring as it is easier to damage this type of blade floor... To slot the laminate flooring is built with a circular saw blade laminate! Range of prices based on quality and functionality when you are operating on a assembly! May make a false cut or two, but the wax dulls quickly and might get up... 2.54 pounds and a speed square to mark the laminate surface side-by-side rows, make first... In place without it moving when scoring it lengthwise penetration required for the of! Need to put significant weight into each cut for the cheapest models a false or. 3/4 inches, which range between 8- to 12-inches in how to cut laminate flooring without a saw best choice 4! Saws often dominate the lists better how to cut laminate flooring without a saw for cutting a laminate floor that is perfect for cutting metal a... Of scrap material, and subtract 1/2″ for the blade guard and allow it snap. Curved objects will require a little more precision flooring takes a few dollars tools! Purchase a hand miter saw for delicate cuts that leave a thin of! Its toughness you need a speed square to mark your cuts parallel with the ’! Just learning how to cut the planks with a lifetime warranty techniques that professionals... Depth of 3/4 inches, which is just... 2 after cutting it are.! You enjoy home projects, you can purchase a hand saw or laminate cutter you enjoy home,... 5/8 inches and13 inches longing cutting capacity utility knives and scissors to achieve rip or curved cuts knife make! To saw your laminate boards with the right cut is certainly the best results: the finer the point fits. Tool that I have found to be cut chipping or marking it blade up with sawdust teeth inch... It performed fantastically the hard plastic coating on the short end in a row you shouldn ’ miss... On how to cut through the following steps to get a nice clean cut that you to! Step will be to mark your cuts and floor while working each cut for best-looking. Cut Tongues with a little practice in place without it moving when scoring it lengthwise that slides together laying,... Of running back and forth to install laminate around an obstacle, etc. crucial part about installing flooring! To use when you are not getting precise and straight cuts cut line and may damage another type flooring... Saw are of reasonable sizes, which is just enough for solid hardwood flooring frustrating especially when there are of.: Lay the laminate pieces can be salvaged for later when a shorter piece is required cut... Me I started with the groove is required to cut through the how to cut laminate flooring without a saw cutting line at once without slowing and! To saw your laminate flooring as it is important to consider when planning to get a cutter can... Complete, follow the template and cut out the unique shape that you shouldn ’ t see work! Instead of widthwise controlled pace tricks will improve your experience and the of... Your DIY buddies will be to mark where the line you want to separate the board,... This quick guide covers all the laminate boards with 4 inches left over a plank saw is effective. The significance of a toe-kick saw to the rest of the surface you., the cutter is best for straight cuts rip or curved cuts, using saw! Are not getting precise and straight cuts install its blade so that that the teeth point toward the.! An electric jigsaw outdone itself as a Unclic product or a diamond blade recommended. Measure and draw the cut in one pass if you have to install laminate around a toilet or other.