Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homes because it’s effective, durable, and very easy to maintain. Installing it requires great care, otherwise it may get damaged. If this happens, it may become necessary to cut laminate flooring even though it’s already installed.

To cut laminate flooring already installed, it’s important to use the proper tools to avoid damage. Mark the section to be cut for precision. A manual saw, like a hand saw or jigsaw, can get the job done, but an electrical circular saw gives a professional finish.

How you cut the laminate flooring is just as important as what you cut it with. Because it’s made of wood, it’s very possible for it to splinter during the process. If you’re not careful, this splinter can spread through the rest of the plank, like a spreading crack, and ultimately requiring a replacement when you only really need to cut a portion.

Also, cutting through the laminated side of the flooring can take work because of the extra layers on it. This is also why you need to choose the right blade, along with the right saw, for the job.

What Preparations are Needed to Cut Laminate Flooring Already Installed?

Cutting laminate flooring may seem simple, but it still requires ample preparation.Especially because it’s already installed, you want to be as precise as possible, so that the rest of the materials don’t get damaged. Preparing also helps get the job done faster and more efficiently.

Start your preparations by identifying the sections that need to be cut out, and carefully mark them for guidance. Make sure that the tools you have are the correct ones for the job. Have some spare materials on hand in case you make a mistake. Wear safety gloves and goggles, as well as a dust mask.

Wearing goggles is also recommended to protect your eyes from sawdust and debris. If you’re not used to handling power tools, make sure to familiarize yourself first with its settings and features. Get a feel of how you can best control it in your hand to get the perfect cutting angle, and what kind of blade will work best on this material.

One other important thing is for you to determine what kind of laminate flooring you have. There are usually two types: click lock and glued on. Click lock laminate floorings allow you to remove each plank and then simply clip it back on later. This makes cutting it a lot easier, because you can actually use a table saw to cut the plank. A glued on laminate flooring, on the other hand, is the kind that’s basically set on the floor, and so would have to be cut in place.

Be mindful of the subflooring that your laminate flooring is on. Having this information is important so that you know how to handle the saw exactly to avoid further damage.

Tools Needed to Cut Laminate Flooring Already Installed

Having the right tools for cutting laminate flooring that’s already installed is very crucial to achieving desired results. Otherwise, you might end up damaging it further, which could mean costly repairs. The best tool to use for the job is the saw. Take note that there are many different types, from electrical to the regular handheld saws. Know which type works best on the material that you’re cutting, and where you’re cutting it from.

A circular saw is ideal to cut laminate flooring already installed. For curves and angles, such as around posts and pillars, use the jigsaw instead for an easier job. A hand saw could also work, but it requires control and precision in cutting straight lines.

If power tools are not available, it’s possible to use a utility knife instead. This, however, isn’t highly recommended, because it’s simply not built to cut through laminated flooring. This kind of knife is more suited for vinyl or cardboard.The blade is short and not as sharp, which can result in a jagged cut and unclean finish. Also, it can take a lot of time to complete the task, especially given how small it is. It works great for lightly carving a mark on the laminate flooring as a guide for the saw, though.

Step by Step Guide on How to Cut Laminate Flooring Already Installed

The steps on how to cut laminate flooring already installed are actually simple. As long as you begin with the right preparations, and you have the right tools, you should be able to do the job well, and in no time.

Get an accurate measurement of the portion to be cut. Put on your safety equipment before getting started. Then, gently but firmly cut through the laminate flooring using the appropriate. The finer the blade used, the cleaner the finish is. Be patient and cut one plank at a time to ensure precision.

Ideally, laminate flooring shouldn’t be cut once it’s already installed. However, there are certain instances when it becomes necessary, such as when there’s water damage, for example. The change could also be for aesthetic reasons, such as replacing a section of the floor with tiles. Whatever the reason is, it’s good to refer to a guide on how to cut laminate flooring that’s already installed.

It’s possible that an existing layer of tiles or cement are already underneath, so you need to be careful that you don’t cut through this as well. Another useful tip that can make this task easier is to know your blades. Laminate blades are specifically designed for laminate flooring, and use a downward stroke to minimize splintering and sawdust.

Ultimately, cutting laminate flooring requires careful planning and execution. You wouldn’t want to do any more than you should have to. Make a careful assessment of the areas you need to cut laminate flooring, and take accurate measurements.

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 5, 2022.

The more organized you are during the preparation stage, the easier it will be for you to complete the task as planned.