How and with what to cut laminate - choice of tool and nuances of sawing laminated coverings. What is the best way to cut laminate? The best way to cut laminate

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It is impossible to lay the floor with solid sheets of laminate. There is always a need to cut laminate to obtain the required dimensions. Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary consumption of material, it is better to determine a list of devices and tools for accurate and waste-free cutting of panels at home before starting work.

Of course, it is impossible to do without waste completely. Therefore, when calculating the amount of laminate, a small margin is included, taking into account that you will have to cut some boards, adjust them to size, and then join them together.

Types of tools for cutting laminate

Due to its structure, laminate can be sawed well with wood tools and is extremely easy to process for craftsmen different levels: from professionals with many years of experience to beginners.

A special feature is that the material is cut directly at the installation site. At the same time, it is very important to achieve a qualitatively even cut and not spoil the panel.

By contacting specialists with the question of how to cut laminate quickly and efficiently, you can get various advice. After all, each master has his own criteria for selecting a tool, his own characteristics and knowledge of technology, experience gained and natural ingenuity. For one, it is important to work with a lightweight and mobile tool; for another, the issue of connecting to an electrical outlet or manual operation is important. However, everyone agrees on one opinion: cutting laminate must be done with high quality, ensuring a perfect cut.

All laminate cutting tools can be divided into two categories: hand tool and power tools. The advantages of the first category are versatility of application and affordable price. The use of tools of the second group, despite the higher cost and dependence on the location of the connection to the electrical network, can significantly speed up and facilitate the process of installing the coating.

hacksaw;
jigsaw;
circular saw;
grinder;
special cutter;
construction knife;
and even an ordinary stationery knife.

Using any tool from the list above with appropriate handling experience will allow you to obtain a high-quality and accurate cut. There is no general or single recommendation on how to cut laminate flooring at home, or what equipment or device to choose in a particular situation. Each master, based on personal practical experience, knowledge and professional training, has his own preferences and “tricks”. It is important to take into account that with any of the chosen methods, you should be guided by folk wisdom: “Measure twice, cut once.”

Let us briefly consider the purpose and operating principles of each type of tool for cutting laminate.

Hacksaw

Let's start with the simplest and most accessible - a hand saw for wood or a hacksaw. This is a hand tool that is found in almost every home. A hacksaw requires physical effort and can be used to cut small amounts of material. Its use is not effective at large volumes. However, choosing a hacksaw with large teeth can lead to destruction. decorative surface coating lamellas. To prevent such consequences, it is better to use a hacksaw with fine teeth or a hacksaw for metal.

Advice: Before you start cutting, masking tape should be applied to this place, which will prevent chipping at the cut site. It is recommended to lay the board face up.

A hacksaw is not the main tool for cutting laminate for professionals due to low productivity, high physical costs and the danger of damage to the decorative layer of the panel. But in some cases, for small volumes, when it is not practical to use a jigsaw or grinder, a hacksaw may be useful.

A direct alternative to a hacksaw is an electric one. reciprocating saw. Now on the market big choice such a tool. However, an electric saw will not greatly increase the convenience and speed of work. Therefore, in our review we will not dwell on it in detail.

An electric jigsaw is a convenient, simple and very productive tool. In most cases, it takes first place due to its ease of use, ease of use and efficiency of use. Therefore, when looking for solutions to the problem of cutting laminate flooring at home, many users choose it.

Using a jigsaw does not require special training or many years of skill; anyone can successfully handle it. The result will be of high quality, the cut will be even and perfectly smooth, given that the tool operates at high speeds. The main thing in its application is correct selection files for laminate.

Typically, a set with a jigsaw includes several blades designed for processing wood or laminate. If you don't have them, you should take care of purchasing them in advance. The laminate file for a jigsaw has a special shape and a fine tooth pitch. Look for the appropriate labeling on the packaging. Using the wrong file will result in chips appearing on the edges of the cut. Therefore, it is better to cut the panels with a special jigsaw file for laminate. If you can’t find one, you can use a metal blade, but productivity will be slightly reduced.

Important! The markings are made from the reverse side of the panel. To cut with a jigsaw, place the workpiece on a flat, clean surface with the decorative side down. This way, the saw teeth cause less damage to the panel during the cut.

An important advantage of a jigsaw over other types of tools is the ability to make not only straight cuts, but also curved ones. This is very important if it is necessary to lay a laminate floor in places where pipes and communications pass. A jigsaw can easily cut grooves and entries for them.

A circular saw allows you to get a smoother cut of laminate than a jigsaw, and at the same time much faster. However, working with such a tool requires a lot of attention and is much more dangerous. Therefore, it is recommended to use a circular saw only for those who have the skills and experience in handling such a tool, or have become familiar with the operating procedure in detail by watching a video.

Typically, a circular saw for laminate is used only by professionals for very large volumes of work. At home, this tool is rarely used due to its high cost, bulkiness and risk of injury.

As with a jigsaw, to cut laminate, a circular saw must be equipped with a disc designed specifically for this procedure. The cut is made face up with smooth movements in the longitudinal or transverse direction.

Corner Sander or in common parlance, the “grinder” is used quite often for cutting laminate. This is an easy to use tool. A clean wood cutting disc is installed on it, which can easily cut a laminate panel.

The workpiece is fixed on a flat plane with the decorative layer facing up. It should be cut slowly, smoothly, without strong pressure and clearly following the marked straight line. Make sure that during the cutting process the blade on the laminate of the grinder does not get stuck or slip in the workpiece. This requires a certain dexterity and skill, so it is better to test your strength and skills on waste before cutting laminate flooring at home.

For many, a grinder is associated with cutting metal. But this power tool has great capabilities and a wide range of sizes and powers, which allows it to be classified as a universal tool. A certain part of the craftsmen do not make a different decision when the question of choosing cutting tools arises - they prefer to cut laminate flooring with a grinder, since it is with its help that they cut almost all materials.

When cutting laminated material with a grinder, the cut is perfectly even and smooth. To obtain a surface best quality It is important what kind of disc is used for cutting: for cutting wood, metal, concrete or stone. The right circle will help you achieve the best results.

Important! Before cutting, the workpiece is laid and fixed face up. You should cut smoothly, without strong pressure, and clearly in a straight line. To cut laminate you need to use saw blade on wood with a clean cut.

When working with this tool, a large number of dust and unpleasant odor burnt wood. Therefore, when choosing an angle grinder, it is not recommended to carry out work indoors: for this it is better to go to open balcony or outside.

Laminate cutter

A guillotine or laminate cutter is a highly professional and quite expensive hand tool designed exclusively for cutting laminate. It does not require skills or physical strength.

Externally, the cutter resembles a guillotine equipped with a sharp knife. When a decision needs to be made the right tool, a laminate cutter is usually not the first suggestion, since little is known about this highly professional tool among a wide range of users, despite its effectiveness.

The advantages of the guillotine are:

Silence;
High speed;
No dust;
No experience or usage skills required;
High quality cut.

The cost of the cutter is relatively expensive, so purchasing such a tool for cutting laminate flooring is advisable and cost-effective only for professionals who are constantly busy laying laminate flooring. If you need to change the floor in two-room apartment, it is hardly worth making a decision to purchase such a specialized device.

Important! The cutter can only be used in the transverse direction.

Construction and stationery knife

Most often, a construction or stationery knife for cutting laminate can be used in situations where you need to trim or trim a small fragment of a board. You can also use a construction knife if you need to cut off a piece of laminate and there is no other tool at hand. To do this, you need to use strong pressure to cut the decorative layer several times along the markings (it will not be possible to completely cut off the fragment like a saw), until a deep mark remains on the surface. Next, you need to place a hammer handle or other stop under the cutting line and break off a piece by pressing on the far edge. The cut can be cleaned with the same knife or sandpaper.

Drill and screwdriver

A drill or screwdriver are not the main tools for laying laminate, but are often used to make cuts for pipes and communications, as well as when installing baseboards and thresholds after laying the laminate.

Features of the laminate cutting process

When starting to lay laminate flooring, you need to know not only how to cut laminate flooring at home, but also how to use the tools correctly. Among the main defining points regarding the features of working with laminate, the following can be noted:

Do not use much force when cutting laminate;
if the cut is of poor quality, the board should be laid with the damaged side under the baseboard;
to obtain an ideal cut, the workpiece should be placed with the wrong side down when working with a grinder and a circular saw, or with the wrong side up when working with a jigsaw;
Before cutting, check the calculations several times to prevent damage to the materials;
Curly cuts should be made using a template for measuring bends, gluing construction tape to the cut site.

Instead of a resume

Each type of tool for laying and cutting laminate flooring at home must meet the following criteria:

be sure to be in good working order;
be convenient to use;
have little weight;
ensure the quality of performance of the work assigned to him;
inexpensive.

Undoubtedly, the best tool For cutting laminate, use a jigsaw. It is universal, convenient, can cut lamellas lengthwise, crosswise and rounded, does not require special skills, is lightweight and not expensive. It is only important to choose the right file.

Follow our advice, and the chosen one cutting tool will make the process of laying laminate simple and high-quality.

They allow you to create an original look for the floor in any room. The slats are presented on the market with various patterns that imitate not only the traditional texture of wood, but also stone, metal and leather. That is, in terms of stylistic diversity, this material surpasses even natural parquet. It would seem that in terms of installation, the slats require much less effort, but this is not the case. A simple standard installation can become more complicated if non-standard configurations for forming the deck arise. In such cases, the question arises about what to use to cut the laminate. Luckily, you don't need a specialized tool to accomplish this task. You can limit yourself to the usual equipment, which is likely to be found in the households of many home craftsmen.

Hacksaw as the most affordable option

If there is not much work, and we are not talking about obtaining ultra-precise cutting results, then you can limit yourself to using the simplest tool - a hacksaw. During the cutting process, the main thing is to ensure, if possible, the integrity and evenness of the edge, as well as to maintain the correctness of the cutting line. In this matter, much will depend on the quality and sharpness of the saw itself. But this option will not work if the question is about how to cut laminate in large quantities. Technically, the hacksaw effectively copes with wood-based materials, which include laminated panels. And with its help, it is quite possible to cope with a whole batch of material, even alone. But the problem is that maintaining more or less decent cut quality throughout the entire process will be very difficult.

Cutting with a grinder

You could say this is the opposite of the previous tool. If you equip your angle grinder with a high-quality cutting wheel, you can get not only a productive, but also a neat assistant. But cutting laminate flooring with a grinder without experience is still not recommended. There is nothing particularly difficult in handling angle grinders, but at least before work you should practice on rough panels. As for the equipment itself, experienced parquet floorers recommend using a wheel with 48 teeth in a 160 mm format. This cutter will allow you to perform serial cutting, which is useful not only as a way to save time, but also from the point of view of maintaining straight edges - at least, the cleanliness of the cut will be ensured in the lamellas placed in the middle of the batch being opened. By the way, to obtain a 100% accurate cut, you can install the same rough elements in place of the outer panels.

Cut with a jigsaw

If with an angle grinder you still have to resort to some tricks to achieve the cleanest result, then in the case of this it is not necessary. Even when working with piece cutting, this tool will achieve impressive results. An example of working with a jigsaw also shows the depth of the question regarding what is used to cut laminate, if you need to get a figured cutting. Of course, making a straight cut is the most common operation. But non-standard installation, which involves installation with curved panels, is also practiced. Another thing is that the implementation of this method can be trusted to professional parquet floorers. The advantage of a jigsaw is precisely that a model suitable for its characteristics, even in the hands of a beginner in such work, can provide a very decent result. To do this, you should initially purchase a multifunctional device, the design and saw blade of which allow for figured cutting.

Using a circular saw for cutting

The advantages of this tool include high speed cutting and the ability to work with several panels simultaneously. It has already been noted that the grinder has similar performance, but the circular grinder also has serious features. Its cutting power is much higher, so if you are thinking about the best way to cut laminate from commercial or semi-commercial series, then there is no better way to find this method. Such panels are characterized by high strength, hardness and rigidity. Therefore, even in piece processing, not every jigsaw or hacksaw can cope with this task. will undoubtedly perform batch cutting, but not as quickly and efficiently as

Guillotine cutting for laminate

This method can be called optimal for the average home craftsman who plans to decorate one or more rooms in the house with laminate flooring. The guillotine for lamellas is a special cutter, the design of which is designed not only to directly provide an effective mechanical effect on the material, but also to provide user convenience. To understand that in living conditions, first of all it is worth considering this tool. Unlike a hacksaw, it performs the operation faster and more accurately, and compared to powerful angle grinders and circular machines, it costs much less and requires an order of magnitude less hassle to maintain.

Features of cutting vinyl laminate

If commercial panels are characterized by high strength, then vinyl material, on the contrary, is produced with the expectation of creating an original decorative effect. In addition, vinyl makes cleaning the floor easier, which is why housewives appreciate it. Such lamellas are also convenient for cutting. It's usually relative soft material, which can be cut with hand tools. So, how to cut vinyl laminate? It’s probably not worth using these remedies. It is more advisable to use a stationery knife, which has a high cutting ability, almost like a blade. Soft vinyl panels sensitive to mechanical stress, so the knife will become sharper good choice than a rough angle grinder or hacksaw.

How to choose the optimal tool?

The choice should be guided by two groups of factors. Firstly, on the characteristics of the material, installation conditions and volumes of work. Secondly, on the parameters of the tool itself. For example, how to cut laminate flooring at home? Arm yourself with productive electrical equipment in in this case there is no point, since a small volume of panels for household installation can be processed efficiently using a guillotine and a hacksaw. If you plan to decorate a huge office area using a wear-resistant laminate model, then a circular saw or grinder would be a good choice.

How to cut laminate correctly?

Even if the correct tool has been selected for specific tasks, this does not mean that obtaining a high-quality result is a foregone conclusion. Much depends on the cutting technique. First of all, the surface of the lamellas is cleaned of dirt and dust, and the tool is prepared for use. It is especially important to select the appropriate accessories for the angle grinder and circular saw. The work process itself must be carried out smoothly so that the edge is preserved in proper aesthetic condition. Moreover, each panel must be securely fixed during the cutting process, otherwise there will be a risk of uneven cutting.

The technology for working with laminate provides for the fact that during the installation process it will be necessary to trim the canvas to length or width. An ordinary buyer who decides to carry out this work on his own is faced with a completely reasonable question: how to cut laminate flooring at home.

Both hand tools and electrical equipment can be used to trim laminated boards. The quality of the cut varies in each case, but if you follow basic instructions, the result is almost always positive.

#1 – Hacksaw

A hacksaw is the simplest and cheapest tool for cutting laminate flooring.

A hacksaw with a fine tooth is the most simple tool for cutting laminitis. Such a tool is often found even among people who are far from repairing and finishing.

You can borrow a hacksaw from familiar car mechanics and plumbers or purchase it at a hardware store. The average cost of the simplest design starts from 200 rubles.

check the tension metal sheet. It must be securely fixed;
apply the necessary markings on the surface of the laminate using a thin marker or a construction pencil;
take a rigid support and fix the panel in any convenient way;
make a light cut along the line and with slow but smooth movements begin sawing the lamella.

This tool will require a lot of time to cut the lamellas, since laminate is a very dense material. The quality of the cut greatly depends on the ability to work with a hacksaw and patience.

Before cutting laminate flooring with a hacksaw, try the tool on a regular block of wood or thick plywood. This will allow you to understand at what pace it is most convenient to work, how the canvas behaves dense material etc.

#2 – Laminate Cutter

A hand-held laminate cutter is a specialized tool made in the form of a support structure with a fixed cutting blade. The operating principle can be compared to a guillotine. The thickness of the material being cut and the length of the cut itself varies depending on the model.

The average thickness of the laminate rarely exceeds 0.8-1 cm. Therefore, it makes no sense to buy professional cutters. Equipment of the average price category costs 1500-1700 rubles.

A cutter for laminated boards allows you to get quick results at minimal cost

You can cut both along and across the blade. The only thing is that the quality of cutting along the blade greatly depends on the length of the cutting element. But for laying the last row, the quality of the edge does not play much of a role, since the cut-off part will be covered with a plinth.

The process of working with the cutter is as follows:

apply markings to the front side of the laminate;
move the handle with the blade back and lay the panel on the supporting structure;
We position the panel so that the cutting line of the part we need is slightly to the right of the knife (to the left for left-handers);
smoothly lower the handle until it contacts the panel, press and saw until the unnecessary piece is cut off.

After cutting, the front side remains smooth and undamaged, but on the back side there may be pieces of paper and torn edges that should be sanded with sandpaper.

More expensive and professional cutters have a smoother edge on both sides, since the handle has more weight, and the sharpening of the blade itself is better.

#3 – Electric jigsaw

The jigsaw is the most handy tool to obtain a high-quality cut without chips, damage and burrs. Due to the high stroke rate, laminate cutting can be done in the shortest possible time.

For thin laminate, you can use the cheapest jigsaw costing 1300-1500 rubles, designed for cutting wood up to 7 mm thick. A thicker and higher-quality laminate will require a more professional tool: power 550-750 Watt, cost 2500-3500 rubles.

If you plan to purchase a jigsaw for further use, we recommend that you immediately take the second option, since a cheap power tool has a short service life.

Electric jigsaw perfect solution for working with wood cladding

In order to cut laminate with a jigsaw, you will need to purchase a separate file for laminate. Standard marking– T101BR. This is a blade with reverse teeth, the pitch of the cutting elements is 2.5 mm with a working length of 74-75 mm. The average price is 200 rubles.

Before applying a guide to the surface of the panel, you should find out which side the panel can be sawed from. Usually this item is indicated in the instructions, since some manufacturers allow sawing along the front layer.

The process of fitting a laminate using a jigsaw is as follows:

Remove the factory universal blade and install a laminate file.
On the back side of the lamella, draw a cutting line using a pencil.
Fixes the lamella so that there is free space under the cutting line for the saw to move.
If the jigsaw has a pendulum mode, then it should be turned off.
Position the jigsaw opposite the cutting line, but do not push the blade until it is turned on.
Turn on and, using light pressure, saw off the panel.

The principle of working with a jigsaw is quite simple and will not cause any particular difficulties. During the cutting process, try not to rush, do not put pressure on the tool, work smoothly and measuredly.

#4 – Circular Saw

A circular saw allows you to get the highest quality results possible. The main disadvantage is the ability to work with the tool and the high cost of the tool itself.

A circular saw requires skill and experience with the tool.

There are household and professional varieties. Professional equipment is equipped with a stand, support structure and clamp. This allows you to securely fix the panel.

The minimum price for a household circular saw starts from 1800-2000 rubles for the tool itself Low quality. We recommend purchasing only if you need a “circular” for work other than laying laminate flooring. But even in this case, it is better to take a closer look at more expensive and powerful specimens.

To work, you will need a laminate saw blade. Disc size 160-200 mm, thickness no more than 2 mm, number of cutting elements – 48 pcs. The mounting hole is selected taking into account the tool. Minimum price – 500-700 rubles.

The work sequence will consist of the following:

take away protective cover back and place the emphasis;
loosen and remove the retaining nut from the standard disc. Place the disc on the laminate and secure the nut with a wrench;
using a protractor, align the disc perpendicular to the laminate panel;
apply markings to the front side of the panel;
Position the circular saw, turn it on and smoothly cut along the cutting line.

The saw should be pushed forward smoothly while cutting. Try not to make jerky cuts or tilt the tool itself, as the cut line will be at an angle. If possible, it is better to entrust the work to a professional or practice on unnecessary pieces of wood.

#5 – Angle grinder

An angle grinder or a manual grinder is a compromise option when the tool is available, but there is no opportunity to look for something else. Laminate flooring can be cut with a grinder, but purchasing this tool specifically for this type of work is strictly not recommended.

Manual grinder is not the best choice when working with laminate

You can use a cutting blade to cut laminated boards. ceramic tiles. Cutting should only be done from the front side of the lamella. During the work process, you should conduct cutting blade“toward yourself” and hold the grinder firmly with your hands.

It is difficult to highlight the particular advantages of this approach, since it is not profile tool, requiring work skills. If possible, it is better to avoid using it.

As a result, it turns out that it is better to cut laminate with an electric jigsaw, a circular saw or a hacksaw with a metal blade. If you have the skill, you can also use a grinder, but the speed and quality of work will be significantly reduced.

When considering how to cut laminate flooring, it should be noted that it is recommended to lay the laminated coating using the same technology as brickwork, that is, in a running start. Only in this case will the finished floor look natural and very attractive. The only drawback of this laying scheme is that it involves cutting material in each row.

Cutting laminate flooring is a very important task, the correct execution of which will determine appearance floor covering. Therefore, such work must be approached with all seriousness, having first figured out how and with what to cut laminate.

Laminate construction

To choose the right tool for cutting laminated panels, you first need to understand what they are made of. Laminate is finishing material, having a layered structure, which consists of chipboard or fiberboard and special paper impregnated with melamine resins. During its manufacturing process, all layers are glued together using a high-pressure method (laminate high pressure– HDL) or low (laminate low pressure DLP) pressure.

Thanks to this production technology, the material has the following advantages:

strength;
moisture resistance;
environmental friendliness;
resistance to aggressive substances;
long service life.

Structurally, laminated panels consist of the following layers:

Bottom layer. Made from plastic or tarred paper. Protects the material from moisture seeping from the subfloor. Some brands of laminate are additionally equipped with a soundproofing layer. It is recommended to install such panels in apartments located on upper floors to muffle noise from neighbors below.
Base. Made from fiberboard or chipboard. The strength and moisture resistance of the material depends on the quality and thickness of this layer. The joint part of the laminate, called the lock, is cut into the base.
Decorative layer. Thanks to it, a unique pattern of panels with imitation under a natural stone, tiles, wood, etc.
Protective layer. It contains acrylic and melamine resins that protect the material from abrasion, shock and other mechanical influences.

Laminate cutting tool

You can cut laminate with a simple metal saw.

Processing of laminated panels should be carried out so that the cutting line is smooth, without chips, burrs and other defects.

For cutting of this material You can use both mechanical and electrical, including highly targeted tools, namely:

hand saw for wood or metal;
jigsaw;
circular saw;
special cutter.

Let's look at each option in more detail.

Cutting laminate with a hand saw

The cheapest tool that allows you to cut laminate flooring is a regular hacksaw, which is available in the arsenal of every owner. Unlike particle boards, laminated panels lend themselves well to such processing. The cutting line in this case will not be ideal, since the hacksaw teeth leave behind small chips. However, this is not critical, because minor damage on the end can be hidden floor plinth, mounted along the perimeter of the finishing base.

To obtain an acceptable result, it is necessary to use a tool with fine teeth, such as a metal saw. With its help you can get a better cut, but you will have to cut much longer than with a hacksaw on wood. Therefore work hand saw relevant only for small volumes of building material.

Before cutting the laminate with a hacksaw, it is placed on a hard and flat surface with the face up, after which the cut is made using smooth movements. During the work process, you should not put too much pressure on the saw, as this will only worsen the quality of the cut.

Using a jigsaw

Working with a jigsaw will save a lot of time and effort.

The most effective tool for cutting laminate quickly and efficiently is a jigsaw. It is very easy to use, so even a novice master can handle it. In addition, it is characterized by an acceptable cost, which explains its great popularity. The jigsaw cuts at high speeds, resulting in a clean and even cut line.

The quality of the work performed is largely influenced not by the tool itself, but by its cutting part. If the first place is not quality, but speed, that is, a lot of material needs to be processed in a short period of time, then a saw with large teeth should be installed in the jigsaw. The larger the teeth, the faster the laminate will be cut.

At the same time, as the cutting speed increases, its quality decreases. This should also be taken into account. For fast panel cutting, it is recommended to use a saw marked T101D or 344D. To obtain a clean cut, a cutting blade marked T101B, equipped with fine teeth, is used.

To cut laminate with a jigsaw, you need to install a saw with reverse teeth, since in this case the likelihood of chipping and other mechanical defects is reduced.

It should be noted that with a jigsaw you can create not only straight, but also shaped cuts. First you need to prepare a template from cardboard of the appropriate shape. Then the template is placed on the front side of the panels and outlined with a simple pencil. After this, a cut is made along the resulting curve.

Other Laminate Cutting Tools

To cut laminate with a circular saw, use a disk with fine teeth.

In the absence of a jigsaw, you can cut a laminated board using a circular saw and a disk with fine teeth. The cutting technology is no different from the previous version, but in this case it will be somewhat more difficult to achieve an even cut line. To simplify the task, you can use a non-manual circular saw, but a stationary circular. However, due to the high cost, not everyone can afford such a tool.

When answering the question of how to cut laminate, it should be noted that on the modern construction market you can purchase highly specialized equipment designed specifically for processing laminated boards. Such a tool is a laminate cutter. Outwardly, it resembles a stationery guillotine for cutting paper. The cutter consists of a horizontal platform on which the material rests and a sharp blade driven by a lever.

This tool does not produce noise during operation, does not emit dust and does not chip. It should be noted that the cutter can only make longitudinal cuts. For cross cuts, you need to use one of the tools described above.

You can cut laminate using various instruments both mechanical and electrical action. The choice of one option or another will depend on your financial capabilities and the amount of work to be done. If you need to cut a large number of laminated panels, then the best option is a jigsaw or a circular saw. For several cuts, a regular metal saw will suffice.

Laminate can be cut with saws, discs, cutters and even a knife. The right tool will significantly speed up installation time. Moreover, its cost is not so high. And it’s better to spend 20-30 dollars on the same jigsaw than to cut with a regular hacksaw. Although there are still many options besides a jigsaw.

Today we will look at all the methods. You will learn how to cut laminate flooring best and from which side. We’ll also talk about how to cut lamellas correctly and without chipping.

You may already have some kind of tool. Most often it is a simple saw, grinder or jigsaw. For them we will choose the right discs and good files.

When choosing a tool for cutting laminate at home, it is important:

Its speed of operation and ease of cutting. There is no point in pulling a heavy machine;
Clean and even cut without chips or burrs + minimum debris. It is clear that all the cuts will go under the baseboard. But you can do it not only on the floor. Often chips can ruin the appearance. Either you need to make a joint between the tiles and the laminate without a threshold;
Will the tool be useful after installation? We take something that will not gather dust in the closet at a reasonable price (if there is nothing to cut with yet);

How to cut laminate flooring with a jigsaw - the right files make all the difference

It is light and mobile, you will quickly learn how to work with it. This is what makes cutting laminate really convenient. The main thing here is a steady hand (so that it doesn’t move to the sides) and a selection of files. We'll figure out which side to cut from next.

How to properly cut laminate flooring with a jigsaw:

It is very important which saws to cut laminated boards with. There are special ones on sale for laminate flooring. But if you haven’t found them, it doesn’t matter. To ensure there are no chips on the front side, we make markings and cut on it. And then we just use a file with teeth pointing downwards. It is she who provides practically perfect cut. All chips will be on the bottom of the lamella. But you only have a file with the teeth facing up at home. In this case, we mark and saw on the back side. That's the whole secret. Some people also use metal files.

You need to cut the laminate in another room. There will be a lot of sawdust. By the way, they fly apart differently depending on the file. Cloves up – sawdust up and vice versa. This means that sometimes you need to wear glasses;
We need to hold the piece we are cutting. Since at the end of sawing he can tear off a piece of the coating from above;

With a jigsaw you can cut laminate not only in length and width. You can easily complete figure cutting With rounded corners. For example, make a beautiful cut for a pipe.

Is it possible to cut laminate flooring with a grinder, also known as an angle grinder?

If you have a grinder at home, feel free to use it to cut laminate flooring when installing. She can cut almost anything in the world. A good owner always has this tool at hand. You can find a new angle grinder for $25 (this is the simplest). It is important to choose here required disk. Regular abrasive (black) is not suitable, the board will burn and smoke. Sawing laminate flooring with a grinder is more difficult for a beginner without preparation. You need to get used to the instrument.

How to cut laminate flooring with a grinder - important nuances:

We immediately decide which blade to cut with. Best for cutting fits diamond blade(for ceramics, porcelain stoneware). We make markings along the front of the board and cut them right away. The result will be a very smooth and clean cut, no chips. It is advisable to hold the part of the board being sawn;
The grinder cuts very dusty. If sawdust flies from a jigsaw when cutting, then there is fine dust. It settles on the lamella itself and throughout the room. Therefore, it is better to go outside or onto the balcony to cut laminate flooring.

Is it worth cutting laminate flooring with a regular saw?

A simple wood saw will certainly cut a laminated board, but... It has large teeth - there will be chips and torn areas if you cut from the front side. You can try sawing laminate planks with a hacksaw. Its teeth are much smaller and thinner. In any case, using a simple saw or hacksaw is a long, tedious and very difficult task.

Moreover pressed boards dull the tool very much. What a jigsaw or grinder does in a couple of seconds, you need to suffer with a saw for 1-2 minutes. After cutting several lamellas, my hands hurt and I’m all sweaty. And half the room is not laid out yet. Now imagine that you sawed off crookedly. A novice craftsman does not always manage to cut correctly the first time.

Which saw is better to use? If you need a perfect cut without chips, buy a hacksaw for metal. Its price is 5-10$. It is not a fact that one hacksaw is enough to lay laminate flooring in the entire apartment.

Circular saw/machine or circular saw

The cheapest circular saw, meaning saw, costs from $40. It makes no sense to buy it specifically for cutting laminate flooring when laying it. And dragging a huge machine into the apartment is also not an option. If you are the happy owner of this tool, you can safely cut laminate flooring with it. To do this, we use a metal disc. A beginner will have to learn how to use a circular saw. It's not safe even experienced craftsmen sometimes they get injured.

Features of using a circular saw:

Mark and cut along the front side;
Securely secure the workpiece on a flat surface with the image facing up. Just to secure it, and not so that one holds and the other saws;
If you have a circular saw, mark and cut also on the side with the pattern;
When using the machine, the laminate board is not secured. It is carefully placed on disk. Be sure to use glasses to prevent large sawdust from getting into your eyes.

Special cutter, guillotine for laminate

For the home handyman You definitely shouldn't buy this expensive tool. Moreover, he is very bad at cutting laminate lengthwise. For the $40-50 they are asking for it, it is better to buy a more expensive jigsaw. The device consists of a base and a handle with a blade for cutting lamellas.

The principle of its operation is quite simple. Place the laminate board on the base and lower the handle down. However, there are some peculiarities when working with this tool. Here they are:

As mentioned above, this guillotine does not cut lengthwise well;
It does not cut very neatly; the cut piece looks like a stub. Even a sharp cutter blade literally tears the laminate;
You need to apply a lot of force, and the blade quickly becomes dull. My hands get very tired. Thick laminate over 8mm may not be cut;
Only used for cutting laminate. Those. This device will no longer be useful on the farm. This means it is not suitable for home use.

How to cut quartz vinyl laminate

There is a laminate that bends. This is a special waterproof sample for baths. It is made of PVC and is not afraid of water at all and does not swell. It costs more than classic laminate. It is much easier to cut than regular laminated boards.

Here you don't need a jigsaw, a grinder, or a saw. Such bendable lamellas can be cut with a regular knife. Vinyl laminate cutting specialists use a construction or stationery knife.

Take a ruler or square, apply it and you can immediately make a cut with a knife. The ruler is pressed tightly against a piece of laminate. And then we draw along the ruler with a knife. After this, carefully break the two parts with your hands.

Some craftsmen advise cutting ordinary laminate with a stationery knife. Do not do that. You'll just break the boards in vain.

How can you trim laminate flooring if it has already been laid?

Sometimes it is necessary to trim the laid laminate flooring. For example, unfortunately the builders forgot to make a gap of 8-10 mm at the wall. In this case, the coating may swell. Or your laminate has already stood on end and rested. They removed it, and there was no distance from the wall. What to do?

Those who have a household jigsaw- you can use it. To trim, unscrew the platform (protective cover) from the jigsaw so that it does not interfere with crawling under the wall. Next, turn the jigsaw upside down and carefully cut off the unnecessary edges. This is not entirely convenient, but you do not need to disassemble the laminate.

There is also such an interesting device - renovator(in other words, an angle grinder for hard-to-reach places). The operating principle is that the cutting surface oscillates left and right, like a pendulum. It costs $50-60, but on Chinese sites you can find it 2 times cheaper.

This tool will perfectly cut laminate anywhere. It also has metal and sanding attachments. They can be used to cut holes in wood and drywall. You will climb into the most inaccessible places. The device many times safer than Bulgarians and circulars. It is almost impossible to get injured when using it.

The best way to cut laminate flooring at home and where to cut it

A beginner can lay the floor much faster. To do this, choose a good and inexpensive tool. The boards need to be cut in another room.

When laying laminate flooring, all cuts will go under the baseboards. This means that chips on them are not important to us. In this case, we use a jigsaw (it is not expensive) with any file. If you want to saw off without chipping, buy the right file. We cut from the right side;
You can cut laminate flooring with a grinder. In this case, only a diamond disc will do. Cut from the side of the drawing;
Holders of a circular saw also saw along the face of the board. And be sure to wear glasses;
Vinyl slats are easy to cut with a utility knife;
You can cut the laminate that is laid with a jigsaw or renovator.

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