What to cut the laminate flooring at home

What to cut the laminate: what can be used for cutting laminate at home.

One popular type of residential flooring is laminate. This material consists of several layers, each of which performs a specific functional purpose. When installing such a coating you have to make adjustments and trim the panels to perform the installation qualitatively and technologically.

Installation of laminate board involves its fixation to the floor with glue or special self-tapping screws. But many novice craftsmen do not know what to cut the laminate in order to get a high-quality and even joint.

To cut vinyl or cork laminate at home, you can use several tools:

• Cutter. This design resembles a guillotine. To cut a board, it has to be placed under the knife along the cutting line. After that, with a certain force the cutter is pressed in, which produces a rubber. If you have certain skills with this tool, you can cut laminate even lengthwise.
• Jigsaw. Cutting with this machine is one of the quickest and most accessible. But it is important to use only special saws to cut laminate flooring. To cut the desired piece, you should measure the required dimensions and draw a straight line for the trimmer. Then the board is pushed off the table a little so that the saw moves in the air, and then the cut begins.

• Hacksaw. Laminate can be cut both on the floor and at a certain height. To do this, you also need to mark the trimmer line and carefully start sawing. Here it is important to consider the saw’s approach, because it can take up a lot of laminate. This, in turn, can lead to inconsistencies.
• The knife. The top layer of the laminate is a thin layer of film that can easily be damaged with an ordinary office knife. The technology of working with this tool is quite simple. Along the marked line the edge of the knife should be drawn in such a way as to cut through the top layer. If you need to get an even line for the trimmer, then additionally the board should be fixed qualitatively.

When you have cut through the top layer, you need to break off the excess piece. To do this, the laminate on the edge of the table along the rubber and sharply press on one side. This approach is similar to breaking a ceramic tile or glass after working with a glass cutter.

• Circular saw. Cutting with this tool is much faster. To cut a piece of laminate, you should also make a marking. After that the board is fixed on the bed along the plane of the saw movement. Place the product towards the top of the laminate layer. The saw blades will go into the material, which will reduce the formation of chips and cracks. When everything is aligned, you need to slowly guide the board along the cutting line with the circular saw on.
• angle grinder. This tool resembles a circular saw in principle. Similar types of cutting blades are also used here. But cutting can already be done almost anywhere. But to get an even cut, you need to have a hand that controls the angle grinder during processing.

TAPE MEASURE

It is impossible to lay laminate flooring without measurements, and you must be sure that they are correct. Mistakes made at this stage can slow down the entire job and risk unnecessary transfer of material.

A tape measure will be needed at every step. For measuring room areas, length of lamella segments, at the end of each laminate row and other measurements.

The tape measure should be at least 5 meters long. Pay attention to the tip. it should easily cling to the edges of the lamellae and not come off. It is better that the tape measure was ergonomically shaped, conveniently lying in the hand, had a rubberized casing.

What to cut the laminate flooring: how to choose the right tool

In order to properly install laminate flooring you should not only know how to join the laminate panels, but also how to cut them. Otherwise, it will be impossible to “fit” in the area of the room, as well as to observe the traditional checkerboard pattern of coverage. Since the bare hands do not take the laminated boards, cutting them can be entrusted to one of the hand or electric tools.

The choice of cutting tools for laminate

The main characteristics that a tool for cutting laminate at home should have are:

The last point, the meaning of which is not to spoil the appearance of the laminate board after cutting, for most home craftsmen is decisive. But its importance is still exaggerated. In any case, chips up to 5 mm in size on the finished flooring will not be visible. defects on the edges of the panels will be hidden behind the skirting boards.

So what are the most suitable tools for cutting laminate flooring??

The jigsaw tool

The best result in cutting laminate flooring can be achieved by using an electric jigsaw for this purpose. It is a lightweight, very easy-to-use tool that any beginner craftsman can quickly get to grips with. Even a woman or a teenager. The jigsaw cuts at high RPM, so there is no damage to the wood-fibreboard structure. If you act quickly and confidently, the cut will be almost perfect.

The most important thing in using the jigsaw is the choice of the jigsaw blade. Modern tools are usually initially equipped with special saws for cutting laminate. They differ in particular in the shape, pitch and method of setting the teeth. However, ordinary metal saws can handle the job just as well. narrow, fine-toothed saws.

To avoid damaging the decorative surface, the cutting trimmer blade is applied (with a pencil or chalk) to the underside of the laminate board. It is placed on the table (chair) backside up so that the part to be cut is suspended. With one hand, fix the laminate lying on the table, and with the other hand, quickly cut off the excess part.

The electric jigsaw allows you to cut laminate quickly and safely

Tool A circular saw

You can get a neat cut along the edge of the laminate using a circular saw with a disk for metal. Working with a circular saw is more difficult than with an electric jigsaw, so it requires some skill. If you have one you can saw the laminate quickly, evenly and with almost no splinters.

The laminate board is laid on a hard surface with the pattern upward, fasten. You should cut very carefully, using light pressure while moving the disc along the drawn line, trying not to slow down in one place.

Circular saw requires skill, but it helps to cut a large amount of laminate

The tool Angle grinder (angle grinder)

The angle grinder is a handy tool, indispensable in the drawer of the home craftsman. You can cut almost everything with it, including laminate. For a beautiful edge, without cracks and chips, when sawing, you need to turn the laminate board with the front surface. It uses discs for metal, concrete or ceramic tile.

The disadvantage of using an angle grinder (and a circular saw, too)!) you can call a large amount of dust that will be released when cutting laminate. Also this action can be accompanied by the smell of burning wood. That’s why you should do the cutting on an open balcony or outdoors.

To avoid chipping, cut the laminate with an angle grinder only from the front side

Sawing tool

Laminate can be successfully cut with an ordinary wood saw. But it will take some effort, because its teeth are quite large and will gnaw into the laminate instead of cutting it. A hacksaw has the finer teeth for metal and should be used for cutting.

A hacksaw is very often used for cutting small jobs. In construction teams this method is not applied, due to increased time and labor intensity.

Cutting laminate with a hacksaw is a time consuming process

The tool Laminate Cutter

Cutter for laminate, on the contrary, allows you to make a cut at a professional level. It works most often like a guillotine. a knife that you use a handle to lower onto the surface of the laminate flooring and cut it open or closed. The cutter operates easily, without chipping or noise. No force or skill is needed to use it. This is probably the easiest tool to use, and gives excellent results in all conditions.

The cutter is designed so that you can only cut laminate flooring transversely

Since this cutter is only used for laminate, it only makes sense to buy it if you are laying professionally. For finishing several rooms of the apartment, this option is not considered appropriate.

The tool A construction knife

An ordinary construction knife can also be used to cut a laminate flooring. For example, if you have almost finished the flooring device, there is only one board to cut, but suddenly the angle grinder broke. You do not have any other tools handy, but it is urgent that you cut the laminate. Then you can use a construction knife to help. Put a ruler on the front side of the laminate board and use the knife to make a deep cut. Hold the board on one side of the cutter and press the other side. The laminate should break just like a ceramic tile would break under the effect of a tile cutter.

In the absence of other tools for cutting a couple of laminate boards is suitable construction knife

As an epilogue

There is a wide range of tools available for cutting laminate flooring. Actually you can cut laminate boards in a good quality with just about anything with a little bit of experience. Only the amount of time and labor spent in this case will be different. Therefore, when choosing one of the tools, be guided only by your own preferences and needs.

What to cut laminate: choose a tool

Laminate. a relatively new material for flooring, but has won well-deserved popularity due to practicality and aesthetic appearance. In addition, it is easy to assemble it yourself, having made all the necessary measurements.

Laminate boards during assembly must be laid in staggered order to give strength to the entire construction. Therefore, each row requires a correction in length, both at the beginning and at the end.

To shorten the boards or cut out pieces of a certain shape is not so difficult, the main thing is to make the right choice. what to saw laminate at home. Let’s consider what tools can be used for cutting a laminate board.

Manual hacksaw: nuances of work, safety precautions

If the work front is small. one or two rooms. and there are no electric cutting tools, a hand hacksaw is quite suitable. The hand saw blade should have very fine and frequent teeth.

Best suit a hacksaw for metal, as laminate. a solid, very strong, compressed material, and it is difficult to saw with conventional tools with large and rare teeth.

Laminate board is sawn from the front side, and to avoid nicks and chips, you need to glue a masking tape along the line of sawing. On top of the tape spend a precise line for the trimmer under the ruler or angle, on which the material will be sawn.

Considerably facilitate and accelerate the process electric hacksaw, and the quality of the cut will be better. With an electric or metal hacksaw you can also make angle cuts in laminate, but for rounded cuts (such as under a pipe or a column arch) such tools are not suitable.

For sawing, the board must be placed on the work table so that the line for the trimmer saw is at a distance of at least 20 mm from the edge of the table.

Sawing laminate with an electric jigsaw

The best tool for cutting laminate flooring can be called a jigsaw. It is quite comfortable and easy to use tool.

The main advantages of the jigsaw over other tools are:

• Compactness, low weight;

• The possibility to make the cut of any configuration (wavy, rounded with different radius);

• simplicity, ease of use;

• high quality cut without chips and cracks.

Electric jigsaw cuts laminate boards at high speed, so the cuts are made qualitatively. and curly, and across the board, and along the whole cloth. The main nuance is the choice of a jigsaw blade.

For sawing laminate flooring special saws are designed with a special tooth shape, frequency and manner of sawing. A standard saw for cutting laminate with a reverse travel of the teeth is labeled T101BR.

How to cut the laminate board smoothly and without chipping

The saw blade for trimmer cut is drawn on the back side of the laminate (usually the manufacturer specifies on which side it is better to cut). Then the board is placed on a table or a special stand so the cutted part is outside the plane of the table.

The laminate board is pressed tightly by hand to the surface and quickly cut off the unnecessary part. The most important thing is to fix the board well to avoid damage and accidental injury. In the process of work, you should not rush, push hard on the jigsaw.

Circular saw for laminate work

If you do not have a jigsaw, you can use a circular saw to cut the laminate flooring. This is a more complex tool, to use it you need to have certain skills. With a circular saw, you can get the best quality cuts of a laminate board along and across the blade.

Cutting element. disk of size 16-20 cm, with a thickness of the blade not more than 20 mm, the number of teeth. 48 pcs. When working with this tool it is necessary to follow a certain sequence of actions:

• take away the protective cover, install and fix the laminate cutting blade;

• with the help of the angle gauge set the saw blade perpendicular to the lamella;

• Make the marking on the front side of the panel and fix it so that nothing interferes with the movement of the saw;

• With a smooth movement, cut off the excess part of the laminate.

During cutting the tool should be kept strictly perpendicular to the laminate panels, so that the cut is even, cut smoothly, without stopping and jerks, as they are the cause of chips.

This method of sawing has a rather significant disadvantage. a dusty cloud and the smell of burning material. That’s why you should work on a balcony or outdoors.

The laminate cutter

Another tool designed for cutting laminate is the cutter, which works on the principle of a guillotine. In other words, it is a sharp knife that is lowered onto the board with the help of a handle and cuts it smoothly. To work with the cutter does not require skills and the use of force, the cut is of very high quality, even, without splinters, and the process itself proceeds without noise and dust.

Using the cutter it is easy to achieve a perfect professional level result. But it is advisable to use this tool for professionals, because it has a narrow specialization, designed only for cutting laminate. That’s why it doesn’t make sense to buy this tool for repairing two or three rooms.

Another disadvantage is that it is not possible to cut a laminate panel lengthwise, but only crosswise.

Very many people, starting to repair their apartments with their own hands, just do not know what to cut the laminate. As it turns out, the most convenient and easy to use tool is an electric jigsaw.

If you follow certain rules you can quickly learn and achieve good results. Each of the tools discussed above has some advantages over the others. the choice must be made in accordance with professional skills.

What to saw a laminate: choose a tool

Laminate. a relatively new material for flooring, but has won well-deserved popularity due to its practicality and aesthetic appearance. In addition, it is easy to assemble it yourself, having carried out all the necessary measurements.

Laminate boards during assembly should be laid in staggered order to give strength to the entire structure. Therefore, each row requires a correction in length, both at the beginning and at the end.

To shorten boards or cut pieces of a certain shape is not so difficult, the main thing is to make the right choice. what to saw laminate at home. Let’s consider what tools can be used for cutting laminate boards.

Hand hacksaw: nuances of work, safety precautions

If the work front is small. one or two rooms. and there are no electric cutting tools, a hand hacksaw is quite suitable. The hand saw blade should have very fine and frequent teeth.

It is best to use a hacksaw for metal, as the laminate. a solid, very strong, compressed material, and it is difficult to saw with an ordinary tool with large and rare teeth.

Laminate board is sawn from the front side, and to avoid nicks and chips, you need to glue a masking tape along the line of sawing. On top of the tape spend a precise line for the trimmer under the ruler or angle, on which the material will be sawed.

It will greatly facilitate and accelerate the process electric hacksaw, and the quality of the cut will be better. With an electric or metal hacksaw you can make corner cuts in the laminate, but for rounded cuts (such as under a pipe or a column arch) such tools are not suitable.

To cut the board must be placed on the work table so that the line for the trimmer saw was from the edge of the table at a distance of at least 20 mm.

Sawing laminate with an electric jigsaw

The best tool for cutting laminate flooring is the jigsaw. It is quite comfortable and easy to use tool.

The main advantages of the jigsaw over other tools are:

• compactness, low weight;

• possibility to make a cut of any configuration (wavy, rounded with different radius);

• simplicity, ease of use;

• high quality of cut without chips and cracks.

Electric jigsaw cuts laminate boards at high speed, so the cuts are of high quality. and figured, and across the board, and along the whole blade. The main nuance is the choice of jigsaw blade.

For sawing laminate flooring special saws are designed with a special tooth shape, frequency and manner of sawing. Standard saw blade for cutting laminate with backward motion of the teeth is marked T101BR.

How to cut laminate smoothly and without splinters

Sawing line for the trimmer of the cut is drawn on the back side of the laminate (usually the manufacturer specifies on which side it is better to cut). Then the board is laid on a table or a special stand, so that the part to be cut is outside the plane of the working table.

Press the laminate board firmly by hand against the surface and cut off the excess quickly. The most important thing is to fix the board well, so as not to damage it and avoid accidental injury. In the process of work should not be in a hurry, strongly press the jigsaw.

Circular saw for laminate work

If you do not have a jigsaw, you can use a circular saw to cut the laminate. This is a more complex tool, to use it you need to have certain skills. With the circular saw you can get the best quality cuts of laminate board along and across the blade.

Cutting element. disk size of 16-20 cm, with a thickness of the blade not more than 20 mm, the number of teeth. 48 pcs. When working with this tool it is necessary to observe a certain sequence of actions:

• Take away the protective cover, install and fix the laminate cutting blade;

• With the help of an angle gauge, set the saw blade perpendicular to the lamella;

• Make a mark on the front side of the panel and fix it so that nothing interferes with the movement of the saw;

• with a smooth movement cut off the excess part.

During cutting the tool should be kept strictly perpendicular to the laminate panels, to cut smoothly, without stopping and jerks, as they are the cause of chips.

This method of sawing has a rather significant disadvantage. a dusty cloud and the smell of burning material. This is why it is necessary to work on a balcony or in the open air.

The cutter for cutting laminate

Another of the tools designed for cutting laminate is the cutter, which works on the principle of a guillotine. In other words, it is a sharp knife that, with the help of a handle, lowers onto the board and smoothly cuts it. To work with a cutter does not require skills and the use of force, the cut is very high quality, smooth, without splinters, and the process itself proceeds without noise and dust.

With the help of the cutter you can easily achieve a perfect result of a professional level. But it is advisable to use this tool just for professionals, as it has a narrow specialization, designed only for cutting laminate. Therefore, to repair two or three rooms does not make sense to acquire this tool.

Another disadvantage is that you can’t cut a laminate panel lengthwise, but only crosswise.

Very many people, starting to repair their apartments with their own hands, just do not know what to saw the laminate. As it turned out, the most convenient and easy to use tool is an electric jigsaw.

If you follow certain rules, you can quickly learn and achieve a good result. Each of the tools discussed above has some advantages over the others. the choice must be made according to professional skills.

What to cut the laminate flooring: what can be used to cut the laminate flooring at home

One of the popular types of residential flooring is laminate. This material consists of several layers, each of which performs a specific functional purpose. When installing such a coating, you have to make adjustments and trim the panels, in order to qualitatively and technologically perform the installation.

What you can use to cut laminate at home

For full flooring, regardless of size, you have to fit the panels to the required area. To cut the workpiece to the right length at home use a variety of cutting tools:

• hacksaw for metal or wood;
• electric jigsaw;
• angle grinder (angle grinder);
• construction knife;
• Guillotine;
• circular saw or a cut-off saw.

Any of these tools are used in the work, but you need to know the peculiarities of using each of them.

Hacksaw or wood saw

The most accessible tool that can be found in any, even the smallest household, is a wood hacksaw. It will easily cut through the panel’s component layers. The quality of the cut will depend largely on how well the saw is sharpened. To make the sawn edge straight, the hacksaw must be held at an acute angle to the lamella, touching the line of the marking.

WARNING! If, after cutting the workpiece, undesirable defects remained on the sawed end. disheveled and increased roughness, the surface is processed with a file or file with a fine grit.

Metal hacksaw can also be used for cutting laminate, only you need to know that the blade, designed for iron, will quickly be clogged with wood and chipboard waste. If you want to use the tool for metal, you’ll need to replace the blade. The use of a saw for wood or iron is possible with a small number of workpieces to be cut, for example, when laying flooring in one of the living rooms. The laboriousness of using this equipment will show itself after the 3rd saw. And such, even in a small room will have to do at least a dozen.

IMPORTANT! When making a cut with a hacksaw, it is difficult to hit the marking line for the trimmer, t. к. the tool is constantly sliding to the side. For accuracy use a small bar which is applied along the line of a marking, then on this bar the saw blade is supported for equal occurrence in the drawn line!

Cutting with an electric jigsaw

the use of such a power tool will make it easier to work. Its advantages are considered to be high speed and the possibility of making indirect cuts. When working with an electric jigsaw, the marking is made on the back side of the panels, and the laminate is laid with its front side on the work table when it is cut, t. к. the jigsaw foot leaves a scratch mark behind. Such damage will not be noticeable if it remains on the wrong side.

The advantage of using a power tool is the ability to cut several workpieces at once without increasing the effort applied. When making such cuts, the panels are firmly fastened with clamps, and compliance with the dimensions of each of them is controlled.

ATTENTION! When working with an electric jigsaw, it is recommended to use a blade with a fine tooth. This will improve the quality of the cut end surface.

The disadvantage of using such a power tool is considered a small unevenness of the cutting line, t. к. Hand work is always distinguished from machine work by the lack of straightness.

Using an angle grinder

The presence of an angle grinder will facilitate the cutting of blanks when laying laminate. But if such work has not been done before, it is better to make test cuts on the rough material first. The power of the angle grinder and the specificity of use of wood cutting discs, requires certain skills.

The versatility of the grinder allows you to quickly and accurately cut the required number of panels. If it is necessary to perform oblique cuts, an angle grinder will be relevant. When cutting, panels are placed facing upwards, several pieces can be cut at the same time, but one must remember about the rigidity of the laminate fixation, t. к. the power of the sander creates vibrations.

WARNING! The use of metal cutting discs is a violation of fire safety. In this case there can be unpleasant odor and smoke.

How to saw laminate with a guillotine

The professional tool includes a cutter for guillotine type panels. It has large dimensions and is designed for cutting blanks of the required length. When working, the laminate flooring is placed under the guillotine knife face up, then you press the lever and get the desired size workpiece.

The advantages of such a device are accuracy and good quality of the end surface. The disadvantages include: the large size of the tool and the limited size of the performed cut. For example, you can not cut a wide panel at an acute angle because of the short length of the working space. To make long cuts, use a special blade cutter with a larger blade size.

TIP! The cost of the guillotine cutter is very high. There is no sense to buy it for laying laminate in one or more rooms!

Using a construction knife

In the absence of a locksmith tool, you can cut the workpiece using a stationery knife. It is better to use a construction knife, because it is necessary to cut the panel with a scissor. к. It has great rigidity and is easy to hold.

To cut a panel, lay a metal corner or rail on the marked line and leaning on the device, make the cut with a knife. In this case, the workpiece is placed face upwards and a lot of force is applied to guide the tool along the cutting line. Lay cardboard or plywood under the panel and repeat the path of the knife along the cutting line until the upper layers of the laminate have been destroyed. After passing through most of the thickness of the material, the workpiece is broken off.

Cutting with an angle grinder

This tool, which is also called an angle grinder, is excellent for sawing different materials, including laminated panels. With this device you can get an even and neat cut. To properly cut laminate with an angle grinder, you need to lay the panel with the decorative side up, as well as use special replaceable discs with fine teeth for work on metal, ceramic surfaces or concrete.

Since a lot of dust and dirt is generated when working with an angle grinder, as well as you can feel the unpleasant smell of burning during sawing, it is better to perform all manipulations outdoors. On the first floor, you can pull the extension cord through the window and work on the street, on the upper floors is the best way to suit unglazed balcony.

Another nuance when working with an angle grinder, as well as in handling a circular saw. you need to have at least a little experience with this tool. Insecure handling when sawing can lead to uneven or even chipped edges.

We can say that it is the opposite of the previous tool. If you equip an angle grinder with a quality cutting wheel, you can get not only a productive, but also a neat assistant. But cutting laminate with an angle grinder without experience is still not recommended. Nothing particularly difficult to handle with the angle grinder is not, but at least before the work is worth practicing on the rough panels.

As for the tooling itself, experienced floorers recommend using a wheel with 48 teeth format 160 mm. This cutter will allow you to perform batch cutting, which is useful not only as a way to save time, but also in terms of keeping the edges straight. at least a clean cut will be ensured in the lamellas placed in the middle of the opening batch. By the way, to get a 100% accurate cut, you can install the same roughing elements in place of the edge panels.

You could say it is the opposite of the previous tool. If you equip your angle grinder with a quality cutting wheel, you can get not only a productive, but also a neat assistant. But cutting laminate with an angle grinder without experience is still not recommended. Nothing particularly difficult to handle with an angle grinder is not, but at least before the work is worth practicing on rough panels.

As for the accessories directly, the experienced parquet layer recommends using a wheel with 48 teeth format 160 mm. This cutter will allow you to perform serial cutting, which is useful not only as a way to save time, but also from the point of view of preserving straight edges. at least, a clean cut will be ensured in the lamella, placed in the middle of the opening batch. By the way, to get a 100% neat cut, you can install the same roughing elements in place of the edge panels.

Saw blades for cutting

Today it is simply indispensable. construction, as well as woodworking. You can’t do without such a motorized device. Saws, as well as the corresponding discs for cutting laminate flooring are in great demand today.

Classified according to the type of work to be performed. So, to work with lamellas use a special device for boards.

Small number of teeth. ideal for chipboard and wood. Medium to medium, suitable for solid wood and soft metals. Large. used only with a very powerful device, so it is not recommended to use it for soft decking.

It is the geometry of the sharpening that will affect the purity of the cut and the efficiency of the work. Available varieties are flat, trapezoidal, and alternating. The angle of inclination also influences the quality. Flat sharpeners are best used for quick cuts, the universal option will work for any wood.

There are also professional discs with special teeth made of hard alloys. They have hardness, high strength, as well as resistance to breakage. This guarantees high performance, long service life and excellent quality of work.

How to trim on the floor?

Sometimes there are situations when it is necessary to trim laminate panels that are already laid on the floor. Usually people with insufficient experience in construction work in this case wonder how to do it right.

According to feedback from people who have encountered such a problem during the installation of flooring, the best option in this case would be to decide to use an angle grinder. The diamond tile disc should be installed on the appliance according to the advice of experienced users. When performing the work, you must be extremely careful and move the tool all the time, without pressing it with any particular force. During the work with the angle grinder to keep your finger on the start button at all times, so that in case you lose control of the situation in time to turn off the device and avoid injury.

It is also possible to use a safer but at the same time more time time consuming method. the use of a cutter. In order to cut an installed laminate flooring you should use a professional wood cutter. According to the advice of experienced people, you need to make two parallel cuts across the width of a narrow chisel, then select the cut piece with a chisel. And so slowly remove the length of the panel to the right size.

What else can be used to cut laminate flooring?

Professionals use different ways to cut laminate flooring? They usually use a special machine to cut laminate flooring. The machine is designed with a sharp blade that is actuated by a handle.

Such a tool for cutting laminate flooring works according to the following scheme:

• Place the laminate plank on the machine support in a horizontal position.
• Adjust the marking on the slat under the knife.
• Lower the handle of the machine in the direction of the laminate, obtaining by means of the knife a straight and even cut.

Such machine allows you to cope with cutting large amounts of material quickly enough and do not depend on the availability of electricity source. It is practically an indispensable tool that every craftsman who installs flooring professionally has at his disposal.

The photo shows the process of cutting laminate with a special handheld machine

In any case no matter what kind of tool you use to cut the laminate, you need to correctly calculate the forces in the process of cutting and not to apply unnecessary force when the saw presses the laminate or vice versa. Excessive pressure will be fraught with cracks and chips in the laminate.

We have considered the most commonly used ways to cut laminate, as well as described the tools that are used to perform the cutting. Each of the methods has the right to life, but what is better to cut the laminate, everyone decides for himself, trying out the most available of the proposed options. We also suggest you to study the video about cutting and installing laminate in order to understand better the process (see “How to cut and install laminate laminate flooring“). (See also the article Installing laminate flooring: detailed instructions)

Features of cutting vinyl laminate

If the commercial panels are characterized by high strength, the vinyl material, on the contrary, is made with the expectation of creating an original decorative effect. In addition, vinyl simplifies floor cleaning, which is why it is valued by housewives. Such lamellas are also convenient in terms of cutting. As a rule, it is a relatively soft material that lends itself to cutting with hand tools.

So, with what to cut the vinyl laminate? It is probably not necessary to use the named means. It is advisable to use a office knife, which has a high cutting ability, almost like a blade. Soft vinyl panels are sensitive to mechanical stresses, so a sharp knife will be a better choice than a rough angle grinder or hacksaw.

If you have to resort to some tricks with an angle grinder to get the cleanest result possible, in the case of this is not necessary. Even when working with piece-by-piece cutting, this tool will achieve impressive results. Example of work with a jigsaw also shows the depth of the question about what to cut laminate, if you need to get a curved cut.

Of course, making a straight cut is the most common sawing operation. But also irregular laying, involving installation with curved panels, is practiced. Another thing is that the implementation of this method can be trusted to a professional parquet layer. The advantage of the electric jigsaw is just the fact that a suitable model according to the characteristics, even in the hands of a beginner in such works can provide a very decent result.

Electric jigsaw refers to the most preferred type of tool, as with it you can get a high-quality smooth cut that does not have on its surface chips, burrs and other damages.

The jigsaw allows you to quickly and accurately saw laminate flooring

If this kind of work is done on a regular basis, it is better to immediately buy a more expensive, but reliable tool. The table below shows the average cost of electric jigsaws as of July 2018.

Choosing a jigsaw

To get a straight and smooth cut on the end face of the laminate lamella is not enough to buy a quality tool. the result depends on the right saw. Some manufacturers complete the tool with several kinds of saws. It can happen that it is not necessary to buy additionally a saw for work with laminate flooring. it will be there with the tool.

From others, the laminate saw blade is distinguished by characteristic features. Shape, pitch, tooth pitch and blade material must be taken into account when buying a saw blade. For example, laminate saws from the well-known tool manufacturer Bosch are characterized by their flexibility and durability, as they use a bimetal blade.

Bosch “Special for laminate” laminate files

By and large, if for some reason it turned out not to find a saw with the marking saying that it is designed to work directly with laminate, you can pick up another one that has fine teeth and a thin blade. The result can be different:

• Saw with a wide blade allows you to get a high-quality straight cut.
• For shaped or curved cuts choose a thin saw blade.
• A neat edge on the front side of the lamella is achieved if the cut is made from the outside.
• To make an even cut on the front side of the floor, choose a saw with backward pointing saw teeth.

Backtooth laminate saw set

The following rules will allow you to get a quality cut when cutting laminate and simplify the trimming process itself:

• When sawing laminate boards the tool should be at its maximum rpm.
• Sawing is performed along the marked line one time. If you slow down the cutting element or suspend the work, then the surface of the cut may be formed small irregularities, chips and other damage.
• When cutting laminate boards the pendulum mechanism of the tool is disengaged.
• For cutting laminate boards you should use specialized saws or other saws that have fine teeth and wide blade to get a qualitative rectangular cut.
• It is also recommended to secure the blade.
• In order not to damage the face layer of the lamella, it is laid with the back side up. If the teeth of a saw blade are reversed, the lamella is placed on the front side.
• If the lamella is pressed along the cut line, the result will be better.
• Cut the board quickly and confidently. only then is a quality result guaranteed and a quick job done.

Cutting technology depends not only on the tool, but also on the correct approach to the processing of this substance.

Therefore, such operations should be performed, guided by a few simple recommendations:

• All cutting tools should be equipped with a saw with very fine teeth. This applies to both standard saws and jigsaws. Such an approach will eliminate the appearance of chips and unsightly ends. Many experts recommend using metal saws for manual work.
• If you get an ugly cut, then try to hide this board under the baseboard. Sometimes it can be trimmed again, but it is important that the length of the element after that is suitable for a particular row.
• Try to measure several times. In this way, you will get more accurate data, and this will not lead to damage to the laminate.
• Depending on the tool you choose, you should lay the boards either up or down with the decorative layer. This allows to avoid the formation of large chips.
• If you need to get a shaped cut, then the best option would be to use special templates. To simplify such an operation, you can glue a construction adhesive tape along the entire length of the rubber. The optimal tool for such a treatment is a jigsaw.

Cutting laminate is a simple operation that requires only the selection of quality tools. It should be done by sticking to basic safety rules, as the work is done with very sharp blades and saws.

Using a special tool

The advantages of this tool include high cutting speed and the ability to work with multiple panels simultaneously. It has already been noted that an angle grinder has similar performance, but there are also serious features of the circular saw. Its power in terms of cutting is much higher, so if you are thinking about what is better to cut a laminate from the commercial or semi-commercial series, then this method is not better to find.

The cheapest circular saw, I mean saw, costs from 40. Buy it specifically for sawing laminate when laying makes no sense. And dragging a huge machine tool into the apartment is also not an option. If you are a lucky owner of this tool, you can safely cut the laminate with it. We use a metal disk for this. A beginner will have to learn how to use a circular saw. It is not safe, even experienced craftsmen are sometimes injured.

Features of using a circular saw:

• We mark and cut along the front side;
• Safely fix the workpiece on a flat surface upside down. It is exactly to fix, not so that one holds and the other saws;
• If you have a circular machine. marking and sawing is also on the side with the pattern;
• If you use a machine, the laminate board is not fixed. It is neatly guided on a disk. Goggles must be worn to prevent coarse sawdust from getting into the eye.

For sawing laminated board in addition to the jigsaw, angle grinder and hacksaw, you can use a special tool, or rather a machine. At first glance at the equipment, you can say that it is very similar to the guillotine, which is used to cut paper. The machine consists of a support, on which the lamella is placed, a blade and a handle. By pushing the handle, the blade comes down on the lamella. The cut is smooth and beautiful.

The machine works quietly and does not leave behind any construction debris or dust. No defects are left on the material when cutting.

It is possible, of course, to purchase such a machine. But, if you are not professionally involved in repairs, it will almost all the time just gather dust in the corner.

The laminate cutter is used exclusively for cross-cutting the lamella. If you need to cut the laminate plank lengthwise, then you can not do without an angle grinder, jigsaw or hacksaw.

Not always the cut is perfect. But remember that a skirting board will be placed on top of the laminated board. It will cover an uneven cut. If you ever cut a laminate into a crack, don’t worry. Such a defect can be corrected with a special paste.

We have understood, than to saw a laminate flooring. But, finally, we want to note that when using an electric jigsaw, angle grinder or hacksaw during the work will be formed construction debris in the form of sawdust. Therefore, it is advisable to pre-cover the floor with paper, film or cloth. It is even better to work in an adjacent room rather than in the room where the installation is taking place. After all, decorative flooring should be laid on a clean surface.

After sawing the laminate boards you need to wipe the sawing place with a wet rag. This is done to get rid of dust, which was formed in the process of sawing.

Using a circular saw with a disk designed for cutting metal, you can get a very neat cut. But to work with such a tool is much more difficult than with the others, because before sawing laminate at home with a circular saw, you need to have at least some experience in its use.

Here are a few tips on how to use such a tool:

• In order to perform this procedure, you must lay the laminate board on a smooth hard surface face up.
• Do not force the tool, the movement should be light.
• The disk moves strictly along the previously drawn line.
• Sawing pavement must be accurate, without delays and pauses.

Despite the fact that the laminate is well sawed by hand, the use of power tools greatly facilitates the task. Sometimes a manual circular saw is used for this purpose. As with a hacksaw, use fine-toothed blades here. Before you cut the laminate flooring, mark the backside of the laminate flooring because the saw blade moves from the bottom upwards. The board is securely fixed on a workbench or table, leaving the part to be cut by weight. Then along the line of marking smoothly saw off the unwanted piece.

generation of dust and noise; burning wood smell; skill.

When using any tool to cut laminate flooring it is important to calculate the effort involved. Excessive pressure can cause cracks or chips on the panel surface. Competent calculation of the required amount of material will allow you to perform laminate trimming with minimal waste.

How to choose a tool

Cutting laminate must be done well so that the cut trimmer line is straight and level, and the edge is left intact. All of these points are easy enough to accomplish by choosing the right tool for cutting laminate. An example of the right choice can serve the fact that not everyone can cope with a professional tool, so he should use simpler tools, with which he will perform this work more accurately.

The simplest tool that absolutely everyone has, but it is not the best solution. A laminate flooring knife is only good if you want to make a small cut for a ledge in the wall. If you can cut a crosswise laminate patch laterally it is almost impossible to do it longitudinally, because you will spend a lot of time and effort and the cut will be very poor and curved.

If you decide to use a knife, check its sharpness, because with a blunt knife you will make a lot more defects in the work than with a sharp one.

Metal hacksaw

Metal hacksaw. this is what will be advantageous to cut the laminate, because the tool is one of those that are in almost every home and you do not have to run to the store.

The metal hacksaw is very handy for making small trims due to the fact that:

• Laminate is easy to cut by hand;
• The fine tooth structure of a hacksaw ensures that there are no chips;
• If you do damage the edges, you can easily cover them with a skirting board.

Remember that a hacksaw for laminate is only suitable if the amount of work is small, and there is no other tool at hand, also if you do not have a hacksaw at hand, it is better to buy a jigsaw in the store, which will be mentioned below.

It is a good idea to saw as follows:

• First make a clear marking on the lamella, remembering that it must be bright, because when sawing it will be covered with a thin layer of dust.
• To get a quality edge, saw the sheet with its face up.
• Do not apply too much force to the tool so as not to damage the edge to be sawed off.

ELEKTROLOBZIK

The most important and necessary tool when installing laminate flooring. Needed for sawing lamellas, cutting openings for pipes, etc.п. Jigsaws are easy to operate, quick and convenient. It makes straight and neat cuts.

A mid-priced, 500-watt jigsaw is best. Too cheap tool can not withstand the load and break. Be sure to buy a set of interchangeable saws.

To prevent chipping on the front surface of the laminate, saw it with the lamella upside down. It’s also convenient to saw over a 20-liter bucket so that all sawdust falls into it.

Sawing with a circular saw

Using a portable panel cutter can quickly and accurately make the required quantity of laminate of the required length. Having the skills to work with a portable circular saw can help with the longitudinal processing of blanks. If faced with such a professional tool for the first time, you need to make a few rough cuts, even with the usual cross-cutting panel sawing.

To cut the workpiece, it is marked on the front side. Then install a disc with fine teeth, start the equipment and, pressing the panel to the horizontal bed, push the laminate along the planned line.

ATTENTION! Making a longitudinal cut requires setting the width on a circular machine!

The circular saw is a handy tool for cutting, but the size and weight will require special transportation of the device to the place of work. The installer himself determines the advisability of using such equipment.