Cutting vinyl plank flooring for the first time can be confusing, you need a guide to be able to perfectly cut and install a vinyl plank in your home. Vinyl plank or luxury vinyl flooring usually comes in pre-cut sections, but you need to know how to cut it to fit the dimension of where you want to install it.
Therefore, this article is providing you with all you need to cut your vinyl plank flooring without having previous knowledge of it.
Vinyl planks are made from polyvinyl chloride resins (PVC), that are melted and combined with elements including stabilizers and fungicides. They are durable, water-resistant, and cost-effective. easy to clean & maintain, and they have a realistic visual design.
In this article, we would be discussing all the processes involved in cutting vinyl plank flooring and installing it as well.
Recommended: How to Fix Speed Queen Washer Problem
Cutting Vinyl Plank Flooring
To start cutting a vinyl plank flooring, we would put you through all the necessary things you need to know to get started.
How to Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring is easy to cut, you need hand tools such as a measuring tape, framing square or carpenter square, Utility knife, cutting saw, hammer, plier, flat pry bar etc.
Measure Your Cut
To get started, we need to first accurately measure the dimension of your cut. You need to ensure you accurately cut the vinyl plank to fit the dimension of the room in which you are fitting it. We would now show you various ways that you can accurately measure your cut below.
Get metric steel or a cloth/linen tape, to measure the length of the plank. Press the metal lip on the right angle to where your vinyl plank ends. Then measure the length and breadth dimensions of the room. Measuring tapes are good because you can reach the edges of the room.
Use framing Square: A framing square or carpenter square is a triangular-shaped metal that is used for 90-degree measurements.
Mark Vinyl Plank
Mark the section you want to cut with a marker, chalk or carpentry pencil. Make small indicating marks after measurement to avoid making mistakes when you are cutting the plan
Before proceeding remeasure the marks you have made with your pencil or marker to ensure your measurements are well accurate. Also, remeasure the location you want to place the plank to avoid making mistakes, so you don’t have to spend extra money on getting a new vinyl plank.
Cut the Vinyl Plank
Place the plank on the floor and place the framing square along the line you measured. Apply pressure with your hand on the top of the framing square.
Use a utility knife to cut the vinyl plank and use the framing square as your guide when cutting through. Using a utility knife to cut through the plank ensures that there are no particles or sawdust from made from the vinyl plank.
You can also cut the vinyl plank using a saw blade but this step may require expertise in handling a saw. Use a clamp to hold the vinyl plank tightly to your work surface. If you are using a rotating saw ensure you wear protective eyewear, so the small pieces don’t fly into your eyes. Using sawdust would cause a lot of dust and you can use a laminate flooring cutter instead.
How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring
Installing vinyl plank flooring is easy and can be done even without having any experience. Follow this comprehensive guide that would ensure you install a vinyl plank successfully.
Smoothen the Floor
Ensure you smoothen the location you would like to install the plank. Ensure you create a flat and smooth surface for laying the vinyl plank. If you want to lay the vinyl plank flooring on a concrete floor, make sure you fill cracks using a concrete patcher. If you are laying vinyl plank over a plywood floor, use a floor-levelling compound to fill holes in the wood.
Place Vinyl Planks on First Row
Now test the first row by fitting the vinyl plank to the length of the wall. If the planks are cut of equal length sizes and ensure you leave a 1/4-inch gap at the beginning and at the end of the wall.
Cut Planks to Different Sizes
We already discussed Cutting vinyl planks earlier in this article, to briefly summarize the cutting process. Cut the vinyl planks to different sizes, you can first use a utility knife to cut through the plank. Run the knife across the face of the plank several times till you eventually cut through. You can also use a saw to cut straight through the vinyl plan
Connect Vinyl Plank
Most vinyl planks have an end-to-end or lock tongue in such a way that one plank lies flat on the floor and the other end is placed slightly into the first plank to key into it.
If you can successfully lay the first row, then you can continue to join the remaining rows to join the ends and fold its tongue into the groove of the previously installed row.
What is The Best Tool to Cut Vinyl Plan
Using a utility knife is the best tool you can use to cut a vinyl plank because it allows you to easily cut to form any shape you want. Alternatively, you can use a jig saw, but this would form sawdust and might not give you the exact desired shape you want. Also, you can use a circular saw, but the base plate of the circular saw is big for a vinyl plank. Circular saws have kickback issues when they work with thinner material
Cutting Vinyl Plank Flooring With Circular Saw
You can make rip cuts on vinyl plank flooring using a circular saw but it requires experience or expertise with the tool. Circular saws are dangerous and can develop kickbacks.
Set the Plank
Set the vinyl plank on the table then place its flat along its edge. Now use the clamp on the circular saw to hold the plank together. Make sure the vinyl plank is firm on the table so it doesn’t fall off.
Measure and Mark
Use tape to measure the vinyl plank and the room you want to set the plank. Now use a marker or chalk to place a mark on the plank so you won’t make mistakes while you are cutting vinyl plank flooring. This mark would be a reference when cutting.
Cut Vinyl Planks
You need to be very careful when you want to cut the vinyl plank into smaller pieces.
Cutting Vinyl Plank Flooring With Miter
A mitre saw is a convenient and more powerful tool, it has pivoting arm and a spinning blade that cuts through materials like wood, plywood, and other materials. Operating the power mitre saw requires experience and expertise.
Wear protective eye covering when you are using a mitre saw and keep your thumb on the support hand to prevent injury. To use a miter saw to cut a vinyl plank follow these steps below.
Measure and Mark Vinyl Plank
Measure the plank and room, then use a marker or chalk to mark the lines. But ensure you take into consideration of the blade width. Now place the marked vinyl plank against the fence at the back of the saw base.
Position the Plank
Use the mitre saw clamp to position the vinyl plank, place them at least 5 inches away from the blade then tighten the knob on the clamp, till it is secure.
Set Miter Angle
To properly use the mitre saw, you should ensure to check the manufacturer’s guide. You can adjust the table by squeezing the miter lock handle till you get the desired angle. Once u have gotten the right angle, move your cut forth and back to cut the vinyl plank. The spinning blade would prevent kickback and when it is completed release the trigger and allow the blade to come to a stop.