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What is the best tool to use to cut laminate flooring?
Jigsaw + special Laminate Cutting Blades The jigsaw is the best power tool to use to cut laminate floors with for a few reasons. It’s light, important because you’ll be picking it up all day. Also, the best blades are cheap.
Can I use a hand saw to cut laminate flooring?
Sawing your boards can actually be done with a regular handsaw. Make a small cut first and then saw on! It’s ideal for shortening laminate boards. Some tips to make it easier: put your saw line as close as possible to your bearing surface and don’t forget to firmly hold the piece you’re sawing off.
Can you cut laminate with a utility knife?
A utility knife can be used to make scoring cuts on Formica. Since all plastic laminates are essentially the same, cutting Formica with a utility knife is identical to cutting most laminates. This method works well for one or two shorter cuts, but is too time consuming and inconsistent to use for larger projects.
Where should I start my first row of laminate flooring?
Begin the first row of flooring by placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall. Install the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove and press the plank down to snap it in place. When you come to the end of the first row, cut the length of plank needed to complete the row.
Do you cut the tongue off the first row of laminate?
Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8″ for expansion. We recommend cutting off the tongue on this first row to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. If it is too short, cut a new plank in half and use one half to start the second row.
How do you keep laminate from chipping when cutting?
How to Avoid Chipping Laminate Flooring When Cutting Cover the finished side of a piece of laminate floor with low-tack masking tape. Make a pencil mark on the unfinished-wood side of the laminate plank at the required cut length. Don safety glasses. Move the plank to a stable worktable with the taped side facing down.
Do you cut laminate flooring upside down?
4. Sawing laminate. If you’re sawing laminate with a hand saw, make sure you turn the good-looking side up. If you’re using a saw blade made for laminate, however, you should saw wit the good-looking side up, since a laminate saw blade as upside-down teeth, which means it splinters downward.
How many tooth saw blade for laminate flooring?
Diamond-tipped blades that are made for laminate and fiber cement usually have a low number of teeth to reduce the dust produced by cutting cement. However, typical circular and miter saw blades that are used for laminate will have 80 to 100 teeth for fine, precision cutting.
Can you cut laminate with a razor blade?
Vinyl tile cutting boards will also cut laminate tile material, since vinyl and laminate are similar. The blade on the tool is essentially a large razor blade installed on a board that has a leverage bar attached. When pulled or pushed, this lever presses the blade down, forcing it to cut through the laminate tile.
Can you cut laminate with scissors?
You need heavy-duty scissors to cut laminate sheeting. Laminate is surprisingly easy to cut. A pair of large, sharp scissors will do the trick. To avoid mistakes, always be sure to measure twice before cutting once.
How do you cut Wilsonart laminate flooring?
To precut Wilsonart RE-COVER laminate prior to bonding, we recommend using carbide tipped saw blades, router bits and laminate slitters. Cutting blades and router bits should be kept sharp and clean. laminate face down (adhesive side up) to ensure a clean cut.
How do you start the first row of laminate floor if the wall is not straight?
How to Start the First Row on Laminate Floor if the Wall is Not Straight Step 1: Mark the Expansion Gap. Step 2: Determine Out-of-Square Measurement. Step 3: Begin at the Starting Wall. Step 4: Mark Half of Out-of-Square Measurement. Step 5: Angle and Intersect Chalk Lines. Step 6: Cut Boards at Markings.
How do I make sure my first row of floor is straight?
Tie one end of a chalk line to one of the nails. Stretch the line across the room and loop the other side of it around the other nail. You should now have a chalk line running parallel to your starting wall. Snap the chalk line, leaving a straight chalk mark on the subfloor.
Does the tongue or groove go against the wall?
Which to Install First. Which side is the tongue, which the groove, and which goes first during installation? The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.
How soon can you walk on laminate flooring?
wait for the floor to cure Before you use your new floor or move into the room, make sure the floor is completely cured. Do not walk on the floor for 24 hours after installation. If you do, it will damage the installation, resulting in an uneven floor.
Which side of laminate flooring is the tongue?
The tongue on laminate flooring is the small flat edge on one side of the board, this is the top edge that is going to angle and lock into the bottom side of another board.
How do you go around corners on laminate flooring?
Inside Corners When installing laminate flooring around an inside corner, you need to allow a 1/4-inch clearance gap between the flooring and the wall or cabinet or the board won’t fit. This gap isn’t necessary when installing hardwood, because you don’t have to interconnect the last board.
How do you fix gaps around a laminate floor?
Spread a bead of silicone caulk in the gap between laminate flooring and the threshold of an exterior door. Run your finger over the caulk to tool it the same way you would tool caulk along the edge of trim or along a window.
