Laminate boards can chip if separated incorrectly.
Proper way to cut laminate flooring.
In fact laminate flooring can be installed in almost every room in your home including kitchens since it doesn t have to be glued down and doesn t involve grout or mortar.
This quick guide covers all the laminate flooring cuts you ll need to make.
If you took accurate measurements and used our tips to cut the planks you shouldn t have any issue while laying it into position.
Mark and measure where you want to cut the boards beforehand with chalk or pencil.
You can of course cut laminate flooring with a table saw circular saw or jigsaw just as you do solid wood flooring but the results can be disastrous if you don t take the time to do it right.
Next cut strips of underlayment to size and lay the strips down across the exposed floor.
The best way to cut laminate flooring.
You ll also want to tear up any carpet in the room and remove the leftover tack strips.
Laminate flooring is layered like plywood and the top layer usually consists of a coating of hard plastic.
You may make a false cut or two but those pieces can be salvaged for later when a shorter piece is required.
The main problem with laminate flooring that has not been properly staggered is that it is more likely to separate from the boards it is adjoined to.
If you need to make curved cuts create a paper pattern first and place the pattern over the laminate to ensure accuracy when you re cutting.
A floating floor that is not adequately staggered will look odd and not have the strength and structural stability of a properly laid laminate floor.
Remember that you have to place spacers around the walls otherwise the laminate might expand in time and create issues.
To avoid this follow these steps when cutting your new flooring.
Using a miter saw.
How to cut floor boards without chipping.
To cut laminate flooring measure and mark the laminate s surface so you know where to cut then use a circular saw or a handsaw with at least 18 teeth per inch to make straight cuts.
If it seems quite easy be sure that it is with a little practice.
This coating chips easily so you need to cut.
A miter saw is nice because all you need is a simple little mark and the saw will do the rest of the work this is the ideal tool and can cut perfect 90 degree cuts or any other angle up to 50 degrees for most saws.
After you have cut the laminate flooring board you have to lay it on the sub floor to see if it fits into position.
You can use either a sliding model or a non sliding model just make sure the blade is large enough to cut the entire width of the laminate flooring in one pass.
As a diy project laminate flooring is one of the easiest types of flooring to install but it s not the easiest material to cut.
Most diyers can complete laminate floor installation in one day.
Cutting laminate to length.
To lay laminate flooring first clear out any furniture in the room you ll be laying the floor in.
