How To Cut Laminate Flooring

Cutting Laminate Flooring: Where To Start

Imagine the scenario: you have just bought a lovely new laminate floor from Wood Floor Warehouse & now want to install it yourself. Installing laminate flooring is a relatively easy job, but chances are, you are going to have to trim some of the boards to make them fit. That means you need to know how to cut properly, and how to do so with the right tools.  To help, we've written this quick guide to explain the best ways to cut laminate flooring with the most common tools DIYers and tradespeople in the UK would use day in day out.

Laminate flooring can be easy to install, but it is not always easy to cut. High-speed saws with the wrong blades can often chip the surface as they cut (remember that laminate planks are not the same as traditional wood planks). It takes the right techniques and tools to get the job done.

Why Use Different Tools To Cut Laminate?

There are several different ways to go about cutting laminate flooring and a few different tools to reach for depending on the type of cut required. The following sections will explain how to cut laminate flooring and which types of cuts they are best suited for. We'll be looking at guillotines, mitre saws, circular saws, jigsaws and handsaws.

Staying Safe When Cutting Laminate

Again, because we're writing this for anyone who is installing laminate in a room as a DIY project, before you get started, please make sure you're doing work safely. That means wearing safety goggles, protective gloves, and a dust mask. When cutting,  always take precautions to work slowly and carefully, ensuring to keep hands away from the blade and the cutting line. And remember, never rush a cut - take your time, stay aware and keep your work area clean & tidy. Now that you know that, let's start explaining the different cutting tools for laminate floors:

Best for: Cross and angled cuts (against the grain for length)

A laminate flooring guillotine is the most traditional option for cutting (and usually the cheapest). Guillotines can be a good budget option, and many of the big DIY stores that stock them tend to have good pricing for multi-length and multi-angle guillotines with guide guides that help you cut at angles without any mistakes.

A good-quality guillotine should cause no chipping when you cut as long as you're doing it with precision and enough force - it is worth testing out your guillotine when first used to get an idea of how to be swift with the cut to avoid chipping. You essentially want it to cut like it is dropping straight through the laminate, like how a paper cutter works. 

A few tips we have for cutting laminate flooring with a guillotine:

• Mark the laminate board to length.
• Lift the handle on the Guillotine to raise the blade.
• Place and position the cut line under the blade.
• Ensure that everything else is clear from the laminate cutter (hands, fingers, clothing, tools, etc.)
• Press down firmly on the handle to cut the laminate.

The main disadvantage of a guillotine on laminate is that it can only manage short cuts to match length - not width. If you find yourself realising that planks need ripped to width to finish the job, of you're doing bordering, you will need another tool to rip planks to width like the saws we're going to mention next.

Best for: Cross and angled cuts at speed (against the grain)

A mitre saw is an excellent tool for cutting laminate flooring, and it tends to be a good step up from a guillotine if you are laying down a lot of laminate. There are differences between a mitre saw & circular saw if you're clueless about saws for cutting flooring. A mitre (pictured below) is a bench top/static tool that has its own little bench or need attached on one to cut. This is great if you're working with longer laminate planks or know you'll be cutting a lot of planks to scale.

A few tips we have for cutting laminate flooring with a mitre saw:

• Install a sharp fine-tooth blade with a high TPI (80 to 100 teeth per inch) in the mitre saw.

• Ensure there is no chipping, prep the board with painter’s tape before cutting.

• Mark the cut and angle on the laminate flooring. Be sure to mark at the edges of the flooring, so the mark can be seen when you pull the mitre saw out.
• Place some masking tape across the marked cutting line and re-draw the cut line. (this will help with chipping)
• Position the flooring up against the mitre saw’s fence - secure planks mean secure cuts!
• Safely start the mitre saw and allow the blade to get up to full speed.
• Slowly lower the blade into the surface of the laminate flooring to cut it to length.
• When the blade has fully stopped, remove the board, peel off the tape, and check your work.

Best for: Long, angled cuts and ripping boards to width (cut along the grain lengthwise)

A circular saw is a tool many DIYers already own so it can be convenient for cutting flooring, but only if you're confident with using one. They can cut to any width you'd like, but if you're confident using one, you can find that your cuts are a little less accurate. Circular saw cuts can also chip the boards if you are not careful.

To avoid that, here are a few tips we have for cutting laminate flooring with a circular saw:

• Install a carbide-tipped blade with a high TPI (60 to 80 teeth per inch).
• Mark the backside of the board at the cut location.
• Place a piece of masking tape across the marked cutting line and re-draw the cut line across the tape.
• Clamp the laminate board to a worktable, bench, or pair of sawhorses so that the saw will not cut through the work surface - please do not cut with your plank leaning over a counter or between two insecure objects!
• Adjust the saw depth to a little more than the thickness of the laminate plank - this helps your blade retraction.
• Place the saw on the edge of your mark, pull it back slightly, and start the saw.
• Slowly push the saw through the board until it is cut.
• Unclamp the board, remove the tape, and inspect the edge.

Best for: Cutting boards to width.

When it comes to cutting laminate boards to width, the table saw is the handiest tool. It is the least likely to chip the boards on these cuts. 

A few tips we have for cutting laminate flooring with a table saw:

• Mark the board for the cut.
• Make sure to use a carbide-tipped blade with a high TPI for minimal chipping.
• When placing the board on the table saw adjust the fence to the correct width of your mark.
• Remove the board and start the saw, allowing the blade to reach optimal speed.
• Carefully place the laminate board against the fence and slowly pass it through the table saw blade.
• The use of a push stick is recommended to push the board through until completion. (never pull the board through the saw)

Best for: Curved cuts and notches but can be used for all cuts. 

When you have a curved cut to make, such as around radiator pipework, a newel post, or something that leaves you with an awkward angle to work around, a jigsaw is the tool for the job.

Using a jigsaw requires the right blade (carbide-tipped is best) and some prep work. To get the proper proportions of the curve, it is helpful to try to create a template of the shape you need to cut on paper first, then trace it onto the laminate board.

A few tips we have for cutting laminate flooring with a jigsaw:

• Place several strips of masking tape across the surface of the laminate board where the cut marks will go, then trace the template onto the tape.
• Clamp the laminate board to a stable surface with the cut line as close to the edge as possible but leaving enough room to avoid cutting the bench or worktable.
• Install a down-cutting blade with a TPI of about 14 in the jigsaw.
• Place the jigsaw on the laminate so that the blade is in line with the cut.
• Pull the saw back slightly and start the saw before it can touch the plank - this helps avoid chipping or the plank moving
• Slowly pass the jigsaw through the laminate board, supporting the edge hanging off the work surface with the other hand.

Best for: Short crosscuts and short angle cuts

It may not be the most efficient way to get the job done, but when needs must, a reliable handsaw can still get the job done. Because laminate planks are so condense, even when you're working with a thinner feeling planks, use a fine finish saw with at least 15 TPI (teeth per inch) -  more teeth on the blade will give you a cleaner cut. Avoid using a crosscut saw, as it will inevitably cause chipping.

A few tips we have for cutting laminate flooring with a handsaw:

• Mark the cut and/or angle on the plank of laminate flooring with a pencil.
• Place the plank of laminate on a stable, flat worktable or bench. Making sure your cut line mark is overhanging the edge of the work surface. Clamp the plank in place to the work surface.
• Position the handsaw on the far edge of the plank at the cut mark. Holding the saw at a shallow angle, while you steady the opposite side of the board on the work surface, start sawing with short, light strokes just until the saw begins to cut a groove.
• Position the blade within the groove at a downward angle. Using longer strokes (but maintaining light pressure), continue cutting through the board.
• Once you have cut about halfway through the board, support the material with your free hand to prevent the board from snapping.
• Continue cutting with light pressure until the board is cut.

Common Questions About Cutting Laminate

Many customers that install flooring themselves will often get in touch asking for help, which we love doing. If this is going to be you, here are some common questions and answers we think you should know:

What type of blade is best for cutting laminate flooring with a circular saw?

Get a blade with 60-80 teeth per inch. Always remember that a higher TPI results in a smoother cut.

What's the best way to clean up after cutting laminate flooring?

Ideally you want to cut outside while wearing protective gear and a mark to prevent breathing anything in. It also helps with any dust in the air. If you are cutting inside, do a thorough brush up before using a dry mop. Some people prefer not to use their hoovers to keep them clean.

Are there any special considerations for cutting thicker laminate flooring?

You need more strength and control with thicker laminate, so some people may struggle using a manual guillotine (as we mentioned before, practice with one first to build confidence).

Can I use a hand saw to cut laminate flooring effectively?

Ideally, you want a guillotine or mitre saw for a quick job. If you're already good with a handsaw and don't mind taking your time, you'll be fine.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when cutting laminate flooring?

Always prep your boards every single time. Whether that's getting your tape on to guide you, or marking the underside with a pencil clearly for better cuts.

What is the cost of renting a laminate flooring cutter?

It depends on your local DIY store. these days a reliable enough guillotine can be bought in one of the big name stores for £50-£70 if you want one with no frills attached.

Laying Laminate Like A Pro

Now that you know the ins & outs of cutting laminate floor, we highly recommend you read our guide on laying laminate flooring. Our guide takes you through the tools you'll need (some of which are linked above), why leaving laminate to acclimatise is incredibly important & why you need to leave gaps!