Laminate flooring can transform the look of a room and make your home feel brighter and more modern. However, cutting laminate flooring properly is essential for getting clean edges without unsightly chips. With the right tools and techniques, you can get professional-looking results cutting laminate flooring yourself.
Select the Proper Cutting Tools
Having the proper tools for the job will make cutting laminate flooring much easier. Here are the recommended tools:
- Laminate Flooring Cutter – A specialized laminate cutter that scores the surface before splitting the board is the best option. The sharp blades create precise cuts.
- Jigsaw – A jigsaw with a fine-toothed blade can be used for notching around door jambs or other detailed cuts. Choose a blade made for cutting wood or laminates.
- Circular Saw – For long straight cuts, a circular saw with a fine-toothed carbide blade is ideal. Make sure the blade is designed for laminates.
- Table Saw – A table saw outfitted with a sharp fine-toothed carbide blade can make straight cuts smoothly. Attach a zero-clearance insert for the cleanest cuts.
- Handsaw – A backsaw or miter saw works for cutting boards to length or width. Look for a blade with at least 10 teeth per inch.
- Safety Gear – Wear safety glasses, ear protection, gloves, and a dust mask when cutting laminate floorboards.
Always use sharp blades and change them when they become dull to prevent jagged edges. Keep extra blades on hand.
Prepare the Work Area
Cutting laminate flooring inside the house can create a lot of debris and dust. Here are some tips for setting up your workspace:
- Work in a garage, basement, outdoor covered area or large room with open windows for ventilation. Avoid cutting in the installation area.
- Clear the area of clutter and cover any furniture or surfaces with drop cloths.
- Have a broom, vacuum and dustpan nearby to keep the space clean.
- Use sawhorses or tables at a comfortable height for cutting. Make sure the surface is sturdy.
- Lay out and organize your tools beforehand so everything you need is within reach.
- Place a piece of scrap laminate flooring underneath the board you are cutting to prevent scratching the surface.
Preparing your workspace properly will allow you to work efficiently and make cleanup easier.
Measure Precisely
Accurate measurements are crucial for cut boards to fit together seamlessly. Follow these tips when measuring:
- Use a steel measuring tape rather than a cloth one which can stretch. Make sure measurements are in 1/16th increments.
- For width, measure across several points of the board and use the smallest measurement.
- For length, measure in 3-4 places down the length and again use the smallest measurement.
- Account for the expansion gap typically 1/4 inch from the walls. Don’t make boards too tight.
- When cutting multiple boards to the same size, stack and mark them all at once.
- Mark the ‘finished’ side of the board where possible to avoid marks on the visible surface.
- Check size and fit of boards as you go to ensure proper measuring.
Precise measuring and cutting will result in tight seams and a professional looking floor.
Make Smooth Straight Cuts
For straight cuts along the length of the board, follow these steps:
- Use a circular saw, table saw or laminate cutter depending on the tool you have available.
- Ensure the board is properly secured, either clamped to sawhorses or the work table.
- Position the laminate board finished-side up when cutting to avoid chipping.
- Align the cutting guide on your tool to the measurement mark. Make sure you are cutting on the waste side of the line.
- Feed the tool slowly and smoothly across the laminate to make the cut. Don’t force it.
- Support the cutoff piece as it separates to prevent damage.
- Check that the cut edge is straight and clean. Sand lightly if needed.
Straight even feed rate produces the cleanest edges on laminate flooring.
Cut Notches Precisely
For notching laminate boards to fit around door jambs or other protrusions:
- Measure width and depth required for the notch. Mark the board.
- A jigsaw is ideal for this task, but a circular saw or handsaw can also work.
- Clamp a straight board as a guide aligned to the marks to get a straight notch cut.
- Cut slowly and smoothly following the line. Let the tool do the work.
- Test fit board to area. Check sides and depth of notch closely.
- Use a wood file, rasp or sandpaper to refine the notch shape and depth for a tight fit.
- Ensure notch edges are smooth. Chipping can prevent proper fitting.
Notching the laminate properly will allow tight seams while fitting close around obstacles.
Use a Support Block When Cutting Short Pieces
Cutting narrow boards for borders or filling in at walls presents an issue because the saw base can’t fully support the workpiece. A simple solution is using a support block:
- Clamp a straight full-width scrap board near the cut line on the work table.
- Position the laminate board to be cut with the cut line aligned to the support block edge.
- The scrap block will provide underlying support as the saw base passes over it.
- Make relief cuts if needed through the support block to allow the cutoff piece to separate.
- Remove the support block when finished and clean up the cut edge.
The support block technique helps prevent chip out and binding when cross cutting narrow boards.
Cut Laminate Flooring Backwards
Cutting backwards is a simple trick that reduces chipping when using a circular saw or jigsaw:
- Position the board so the saw blade will exit through the finished top surface rather than the bottom.
- Adjust blade depth accordingly to avoid cutting into the table or horse.
- Mark cut lines as usual and align the sawguide on the waste side.
- Begin the cut on the finished edge and work backwards gently. Let the tool do the cutting.
- The exiting blade is less likely to lift and chip the finish surface when cutting this way.
Cutting backwards allows the clean entry and messy exit to be on the bottom hidden surface rather than the visible top.
Remove Burrs Carefully
Even with the most careful cutting, laminate edges can get small burrs that prevent tight seams:
- Examine edges closely after cutting and sanding to locate any burrs.
- Use a sharp utility knife to slice off protruding pieces with light pressure.
- Avoid scraping vigorously which can further damage the laminate edge.
- Run a fine-grit sanding block just along the edges to smooth out any roughness.
- Wipe clean with a dry cloth after sanding to remove debris before installing.
Proper deburring and cleanup of cut laminate edges prevents gaps, uneven seams and chipping once the floor is installed.
Make Proper Expansion Gaps
Laminate flooring expands and contracts with temperature changes. Gaps allow room for this movement:
- Leave 1/4 inch gaps between flooring and all walls and other fixed surfaces.
- Use spacer blocks when installing boards to maintain even gaps.
- Don’t force boards too tightly in place. Proper expansion space is key.
- For large floor spans, allow slightly larger gaps and use transition moldings between rooms.
- Keep gaps clear of debris which can hinder floor movement. Don’t caulk the gaps.
Expansion gaps are a necessary part of laminate flooring installation and prevent buckling issues over time.
Save and Reuse Cutoffs
When cutting laminate flooring to size, don’t discard the leftover trimmed pieces:
- Carefully set aside cut boards and store for future repairs or projects.
- Label them by size and style if you have multiple types of laminate flooring.
- They are useful for replacing damaged boards or filling in new installation areas.
- Use them for craft projects, shelving, wall tile, or furniture accents.
- Bundle and wrap leftover pieces to prevent surface damage while in storage.
Saving cutoffs can save money on future flooring needs or provide material for creative DIY projects.
FAQ About Cutting Laminate Flooring
How do you cut laminate flooring lengthwise?
Use a specialized laminate cutter, table saw, or circular saw to make long straight cuts lengthwise. Always cut with the decorative side facing up to prevent chip out. Make sure blades are ultra-fine and sharp.
What is the best saw to use for cutting laminate flooring?
A specialized laminate flooring cutter makes the cleanest cuts without chipping. A table saw or miter saw with a fine carbide blade also works well for most straight cuts. Use a jigsaw for notching or curved cuts.
How do you cut laminate around door jambs?
Use a jigsaw or handsaw to cut notches in the laminate board to fit tightly around the door jamb. Measure carefully and test the fit. File or sand the edges smooth so the trimmed board fits seamlessly with no gaps.
Can you cut laminate flooring with tin snips?
It is not recommended. Tin snips can crush and splinter the laminate edges. Use proper woodcutting tools like a handsaw, jigsaw or miter saw for the cleanest cuts.
What is the best blade for cutting laminate flooring?
Carbide-tipped saw blades that are designed specifically for cutting laminates work best. Look for blades with 80+ teeth which provide a smooth clean cut. Multi-material blades also work well.
How do you cut laminate around pipes?
Use a hole saw matched to the pipe diameter to cut holes for pipes in the laminate boards. Position the hole saw over the pipe and drill down through the board slowly. File the opening smoothly to fit the contour of the pipe.
Conclusion
Cutting laminate flooring cleanly yourself is definitely possible with minimal specialized tools. The essential techniques include proper board support, fine-toothed sharp blades, backwards cutting, and careful edge finishing. Taking it slowly and keeping the saw guides straight will allow even beginners to achieve professional looking results. Pay close attention to proper expansion gaps and safe cutting practices. With some care and patience, you can install beautiful laminate flooring that looks like it was done by the experts.