How to Cut Laminate Flooring
Because floor sizes and shapes are different, laminate flooring must be cut so that it fits smoothly along the edges of a floor. Cutting laminate is a skill that takes practice. It is a good idea to practice on a piece of scrap laminate so that you do not ruin a piece of laminate that you need for your flooring project. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Safety goggles
- Ear plugs
- Dust mask
- Measuring tape
- Blue painter's tape
- Pencil
- Paper
- Scrap cardboard
- Utility knife
- Laminate cutter
- Jigsaw with Bosch U1BIF 3-inch 14 TPI bi-metal U-shank laminate flooring jigsaw blade
Instructions
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Cut Laminate Smaller
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1
Put on a pair of goggles to protect your eyes just in case a piece of laminate splinters while being cut.
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2
Measure the size of the floor space using a measuring tape. Measure the length and the width. Record the dimensions on a piece of paper.
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3
Turn the laminate topside down so that you are looking at the backside. Use a measuring tape and a pencil to measure and mark the dimensions you recorded onto the back of the laminate.
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4
Lay the laminate topside down on the laminate cutter. Use the laminate cutter to cut the laminate to the marked size.
Cut Laminate to Fit an Irregular Shape
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5
Put on a pair of goggles, a dust mask and a pair of ear plugs to protect your eyes, lungs and ears. The goggles will protect your eyes in case a piece of laminate splinters while being cut. The ear plugs protect your ears from the loud noise that the jigsaw produces. The dust mask protects your lungs from the dust that is emitted from cutting the laminate.
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6
Make a template for the irregular-shaped piece of flooring. Place a piece of cardboard on the floor where the irregular shape needs to be fitted. Use a utility knife to trace the shape of the floor, and cut the cardboard to the irregular shape to make a template.
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7
Tape the cut cardboard onto the topside of the laminate using blue painter's tape. Use the jigsaw to cut the laminate to the desired shape. Cut with the topside of the laminate facing up.
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8
Remove the blue painter's tape and wipe any dust off the laminate.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use caution when using the laminate cutter and the jigsaw. They are both extremely sharp tools. This project should be done only by an adult.
Resources
- Photo Credit Credit: phaewilk--Copyright: morguefile.com/ phaewilk
