While cutting laminate flooring appear to be very simple, it can be rather tricky for people who have never done it before. Here are some instructions to help.
Step 1: Pick Out Your Laminate: The first thing is to pick out the right flooring. Once its done, you have to measure your room. Make sure that you have enough laminate to cover the whole floor. Allow for about 10% extra in case of mistakes. Then, remove any baseboards in the room.
Step 2: Take Your Measurements: Custom laminate flooring cuts require you to measure specifically to know exactly how much you need. When working with custom cuts, you may also end up installing the floor differently. For instance, you may have to start in the middle so measure your room carefully.
Step 3: Mark Your Laminate: Always make some kind of mark on your laminate before you begin cutting. This is the only way to prevent mistakes. Use a pencil or chalk to mark so it’s not noticeable.
Step 4: Pick Your Tool: You can use different cutting tools when cutting laminate and you will notice that each one is a little different. Chop saws are good for repetitive cuts, especially ones on the short end of laminate boards. These tools create a lot of dust so its best that you use it outside. Circular saws are good for cutting straight lines, especially long straight lines. The cordless versions are very handy. Cordless jigsaws are also an option. These tools are good for cutting laminate to put around things like pipes, or other curved objects.
Step 5: Cut Your Laminate: Begin cutting. If you are using a power saw, remember that laminate chips readily. To prevent chipping, you have to have a saw with fine teeth and you have to cut downwards into the laminate, not upwards as is typical with saw blades, and other materials like wood. If you are using a simpler hand saw, cut your laminate with the good side up, but only use pressure on the downward strokes. When pulling back up, don’t let the saw come into contact with the uncut section of the line.
Step: Notch The Planks: If you are installing the laminate around pipes, and need to cut to fit them, you should use a jigsaw to actually notch the planks. Leave a ¼ inch expansion space so that there is room for the pipe.
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