How Are Vinyl Floor Planks Cut? (Best Method and Tools)

It isn’t easy to surpass vinyl planks for homeowners seeking a simple flooring job. Thanks to new procedures, this flooring is now relatively simple for individuals to install throughout their houses. The variety of styles and reasonable price ranges are only a couple of the other aspects that have helped it rise to the top of the sales lists.

How Are Vinyl Floor Planks Cut, despite being simple to install, vinyl plank flooring and tiles have one significant distinction. Both conventional Vinyl and LVP require the type of cutting, which can cause various problems. The proper technique to rip-cut vinyl plank flooring will be covered in this guide, along with some time and money-saving advice.

Vinyl floor planks can be cut using a sharp utility knife and a straightedge. To make the cut, hold the plank firmly with one hand and run the knife blade down the edge to pare away the tongue. For shorter cuts, you may need to score the plank first before snapping it along the scored line.

Video: 6 Ways to Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring | Beginners Guide

Related Article on Plank Flooring Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring

What Can Be Used To Cut Vinyl Flooring Planks?

Consider adopting vinyl plank flooring as a contemporary substitute for installing a pricey hardwood floor that needs frequent upkeep. However, if you are more familiar with wood, you could have doubts about this option because it offers several options to the pricey hardwood option. What may be used to cut vinyl plank flooring is one of the often-asked queries.

How Are Vinyl Floor Planks Cut

Installing and working with vinyl plank flooring is simple. No special tools are required to cut the planks’ material to size. You may use a laminate tile cutter, hand saw, table saw, circular saw, miter saw, jigsaw, or a Dremel as cutting equipment. The utility knife is the most widely used instrument.

Vinyl flooring is easy to install since it is lightweight and is available in tongue and groove planks. And the boards are typically covered with a wood pattern to simulate a wood floor and have dimensions that resemble wood plank flooring. However, the vinyl planks are less thick than wood and initially seem frail. This poses a few questions regarding the best way to cut this material deeply without causing damage to it or creating ugly edges.

Things to Be Aware Of

Before you begin, double-check your measurements with a framing square or a tape measure to measure your smooth cut.

To split tiny pieces, cut halfway through with a utility knife, flip the flooring over, and then snap the plank off the piece using your knee as leverage.

Ensure your jigsaw’s teeth are pointed away from you and secure your flooring with a clamp before making a gradual, precise cut.

Vinyl Flooring Equipment

what must use the proper instruments to cut Vinyl plank flooring effectively? Along with a saw or cutter, this also comprises several smaller pieces of equipment and accessories. The list of instruments you’ll need to cut vinyl flooring is provided below, but when it comes to installation, you’ll need to use other tools.

Saw, Circular

Power equipment called circular saws may cut a variety of materials using a variety of circular blades. Given that they are used to frame homes, construct decks, and complete other DIY tasks, they are the most user-friendly and adaptable type of saw on our list.

Given the variety of models that are currently accessible to homeowners, we also believe they are reasonably priced. Depending on your budget, these potent instruments might run anywhere from $40 to $200. In addition, affordable alternatives exist, such as the SKIL 5280-01, which incorporates a laser guide to assist homeowners in maintaining a straight line.

What should not cut vinyl flooring around pipes or corners?

You must make a few unusual cuts when installing vinyl flooring in a space with plumbing or a radius corner. The objective is to make the cut as near and clean as possible while leaving room for contraction and expansion.

Who can also use the oscillating multi-tool or jigsaw here; however, marking the board accurately is usually the most challenging step. Depending on where the pipes are and how close they are to any walls, there are various approaches you can take. Double-check your measurements before cutting, and don’t be afraid to create a template for radial cuts.

Some flooring contractors will “notch” a cut where the pipe should be if the planks and pipes are very close to a wall; while this method works, it isn’t spotless.

Another choice is a hole saw made for vinyl flooring, though we like jigsaws and oscillating tools because we can also use them in entrances.

Cutting Vinyl Plank Flooring that Adheres

A powered saw or flooring cutter is excellent for thick luxury vinyl or EVP flooring, but they are excessive for thin vinyl planks or peel-and-stick flooring. Only a top-notch razor knife and a little elbow grease are required. Traditional utility knives will function, but more recent designs, like this one from Klein, make changing blades a breeze.

Price of Installing Vinyl Flooring

You can always hire a professional if you don’t feel confident breaking up boxes of vinyl plank flooring or need the task finished quickly. Although most homes can easily install this flooring, the time it takes to relocate furniture and appliances and temporarily reorganize any sections undergoing repair is also a consideration.

For installing vinyl plank flooring, contractors often charge by the square foot. The material itself and any subfloor preparation that might be necessary are not included. We discovered that most Americans pay between $1.75 and $3.00 per square foot for installing LVP, LVT, and vinyl plank flooring.

We discovered that sheet vinyl products and glue-down variants are more expensive than conventional vinyl plank flooring, LVP, or engineered vinyl vinyl vinyl. Our quotation tool will help you get started if you want a local flooring expert to review your job.

Once cut, twice measured.

The secret to successful vinyl plank flooring installation is thorough planning. If you rush the installation or start without proper preparation, there is an increased potential for errors.

Who should give the vinyl planks a few days to acclimate in the space? It is recommended to use planks in a random pattern when cutting and to arrange them to provide a more uniform appearance.

Measure the space thoroughly before the installation. Then, work your way up the walls, starting at the longest one. A laser distance meter might be helpful at this stage. The Stanley Pocket, Laser Distance Measurer, features a 2-year warranty and a 1/4-inch accuracy at 30 feet.

Additionally, mark the intersection of each wall’s centers with lines. Finally, utilizing a chalk line tool is beneficial. One of the top chalk line tools is the Stanley 47-443 3 Piece Chalk Box Set, which has received positive consumer feedback. It also has 4 oz more. Blue Stanley Chalk container, along with a miniature level. Given that it is housed in a high-impact ABS container, this chalk line tool should last you for a long time.

Before drawing the first cut line, you might require an expansion gap for your vinyl plank flooring; what must complete this measurement parameter? A 5/16-inch expansion gap is recommended—for every wall. Create a straight line between the walls by using your chalk line tool.

Cutting the First Piece

It’s time to cut now that your measurements are recorded and your floor is clean, except for the chalk lines.

We’ll walk you through each stage of the procedure. Then, after reading some helpful advice on recommended techniques and equipment, the ideal approach to cutting vinyl plank flooring should be clear to you.

Find the width of the last row.

It would help if you made this cut first. Identify the vinyl plank flooring’s final row’s width. Cut about 13 of the first row of planks if the breadth is less than one-third of a plank. By doing so, the rows will begin and end evenly, with fewer rejects.

You will need a T-square, a utility knife, or a handsaw for this step. The type of vinyl plank flooring you bought may determine whether you use a handsaw or a utility knife. Different brands may have different thicknesses.

It is best to use an electric handsaw to prevent wear and chipping. A fantastic choice is the Black & Decker 3.4 Amp Navigator Combo Set. It can cut wood, metal, and plastic and features a 4600 SPM motor. It also has three more blades: one for cutting curves, one for cutting metal, and one for general use. These enable you to carve grooves under doorjambs so the planks fit tightly.

Bringing Down the First Row

who must take the tongue off the plank? Using a utility knife to accomplish this is the simplest method. One of the top sellers is the Milwaukee Fastback Flip Open Utility Knife. It is worth looking into, given the almost 500 favorable customer ratings and the supplied wire stripper.

Once the material tongues have been cut, position the first row so the cut side is towards the wall. To maintain a consistent expansion gap between the vinyl planks and the wall, carefully arrange them.

Installation of the Planks

You’ve put down the first board. Press the second one against the first one at a slight angle, and gently fold it until they lock into place. You should know that the finished product needs to be larger than 6 inches. You can take some off the first board if you still need to.

Complete the rows.

Using a utility knife, score the plank and break off the extra piece to fit the final piece. To make sure the cut is even, use a T-square. If the new rows are 6 inches or longer, you can use the excess piece to start them. Doing this guarantees a uniform arrangement, and ultimately, fewer extra components are needed.

Beyond the Second Row

Remember that the joints must be spaced apart by at least 6 inches. Therefore, it is crucial to measure the first component. Then, the 25-foot by 1-inch Stanley Powerlock Measuring Tape can be used. With a heat-treated spring, high-impact ABS casing, and Mylar-coated blade, it is incredibly sturdy and should last long.

Gluing the Planks Together

The first piece’s tongue fits into the groove of the earlier one and turns slowly until they click together. Connect the vinyl plank’s long end first, then its short end. You should be able to feel it in your hands when they lock. As you move through the space, be mindful of the expansion gap and the 6-inch joint stagger.

The Finish and Doorjambs

Get the vinyl planks under the doorjambs so your flooring will fit evenly. You can make a minor groove with an electric handsaw if you cannot reach the doorjambs. Use a pull bar or a tapping block if the fit is difficult to reach.

Trim can be trimmed and fastened to the wall with nails. Cutting the angles needed for the corners of the trim is made easier with the aid of the Stanley Saw Storage Mitre Box with a 12-inch Backsaw. Even better, it has base holes that come in handy if you want to secure it to your workbench.

Finally, consider including a shoe mold. Again, it is best to match the shoe molding’s finish to the door’s trim rather than the vinyl planks.

Associated reading

You might need clarification about the exact definition of vinyl plank flooring.

Read on to learn more.

The Last Cut

We hope you feel secure enough to begin cutting and putting in vinyl plank flooring.

Employing the right equipment and methods can cut vinyl plank flooring as best as possible.

How to Install a Floating Vinyl Floor

Vinyl plank flooring has grown incredibly popular recently, and for a good reason. Due to their strength, water resistance, and simplicity of installation, luxury vinyl planks are a popular choice among experts and many do-it-yourself installers.

Modern vinyl plank flooring is available in incredibly natural wood or stone patterns and textures thanks to advancements in vinyl flooring manufacturing and technology. In addition, due to its water-resistant qualities, VinylVinyl is now the best material for various uses, including corridors, living rooms, kitchens, and even bathrooms.

However, even while installing vinyl plank flooring yourself might be more straightforward than installing other floor coverings like tile or carpet, do-it-yourselfers frequently need to be made aware of the common mistakes that professionals know of and avoid.

VINYL PLANK FLOORING TYPES

Vinyl plank flooring is designed to be put using either glue-down or floating installation. Since there is no glue or mess, floating or click-lock vinyl flooring is frequently a more straightforward method for a DIYer.

With this technique, the floating floor-style vinyl planks are fitted over an existing floor or laid over the subfloor and secured together using a built-in tongue and groove system. Because no adhesive is used during this installation, the flooring floats above the subfloor to accommodate for natural expansion and contraction brought on by variations in humidity or temperature.

Provide roughly a 14-inch expansion gap around your floor because vinyl flooring is climate-sensitive. This will prevent the flooring from warping or buckling in the center if it does expand. After your complex work planning, preparing, and installing your vinyl planks, the last thing you want is warped boards! Decorative trim and shoe molding can cover this space once you’re finished, so you will never notice the spacing gap surrounding your finished floor.

Vinyl planks that are glued down have advantages as well.

As the name implies, this kind of vinyl plank is bonded directly onto the subfloor.

One benefit of gluing vinyl planks down is that it simplifies future repairs because you can pop out a scratched or damaged plank, apply new adhesive, and replace it with a new plank.

Although they are easy to understand, glue-down vinyl planks take a steady hand and a lot of time to install neatly, so it is best to leave this choice to the professionals.

Final Reflections

Given the proper tools, cutting vinyl plank flooring is a task that virtually any homeowner can complete. However, given that there are tiles and planks available from many manufacturers, choosing the right sort of vinyl flooring might take more work. We offer the information you need if you’re seeking the best vinyl flooring for your upcoming project or want to know more about the product.

Rubber plank flooring is a fantastic option because it is waterproof, strong, and simple to maintain. Additionally, it makes a fantastic do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Over concrete, hardwood, tile, or already installed vinyl flooring, you can install vinyl plank flooring. It will function as long as the surface is clean and flat. However, it is not advised to apply VinylVinyl over laminate because of the possibility of unevenness.

In addition to living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and recreational vehicles, vinyl plank flooring is simple to install (RVs). You can use it on covered porches if you don’t live somewhere that gets too cold.

Underlayment is advised regardless of the surface you’re installing your vinyl plank flooring. When placed over concrete, it works as a moisture barrier, adds extra cushion, and reduces sound. You’ll also need to buy matched transition strips for a neat appearance at doors or when switching flooring types.

First Frequently Asked Question:

Can Vinyl Plank Flooring Be Cut With A Miter Saw?

Yes, you can cut vinyl plank flooring using a miter saw. However, there are certain restrictions because sheet vinyl and plank vinyl differ in a few ways.

Can I Cut Vinyl Flooring With A Chop Saw?

A chop saw and a miter saw are very similar tools. The primary distinction between these two is that a chop saw can only make 90-degree cuts, whereas a miter saw can also do angled cuts. In actuality, cutting vinyl flooring may be done with a chop saw—only one suggestion from our end. Purchase a saw blade with at least 100 teeth.

Can Laminate Flooring Be Cut With A Miter Saw?

Yes, cutting laminate flooring using a miter saw is a wise decision. While we may use only a chop saw to cut laminate flooring to lengths, we can also use a miter saw to cut angles. This is why cutting laminate flooring is a beautiful use for a miter saw.

Can Vinyl Be Cut With A Miter Saw?

Yes, you can cut vinyl vinyl with a miter saw. If you want to cut VinylVinyl, you have a ton of possibilities. However, using the miter saw to complete the task has become more popular recently. People use this equipment to make a clean and fresh cut.

Can Laminate Flooring Be Cut With A Miter Saw?

Yes, it is possible. The truth is that you can cut with any sharp blade. However, people use the miter saw more frequently because it is a common and straightforward operation item. Knowing how this instrument operates, you can cut laminate flooring without problems. How Do You Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring? 6. What Kind Of Saw Do You Use?