Which Side To Cut The Laminate

How to lay the underlay

The substrate under the laminate is rolled out (laid out) along the wall from which the installation will begin. In length, it should cover the entire floor from wall to wall. The mowing line of the joints is tightly combined, for convenience they are glued with tape. Sometimes the panels are fixed with staples from a construction stapler. It is faster, but it is not very good to use the staples. they can rub against the boards and make an unpleasant sound. The next layer is spread as needed. immediately covering the entire floor is not necessary: ​​it is better not to walk on the substrate.

How to lay laminate flooring with your own hands: Step-by-step instructions

The laying technology is the same: there are only some peculiarities when connecting elements, depending on the locks. The procedure will be as follows:

  • The substrate is laid on the leveled base, its joints are glued with tape.
  • Wedges or pieces of plywood 10-15 mm thick are installed around the perimeter of the room. Laminate boards will rest against them. In this way, an expansion gap is created around the entire perimeter of the room. It is needed so that the coating does NOT swell in heat or high humidity.
  • Along one of the walls. usually opposite from the entrance. the first row is laid. The first row is placed with a spike against the wall (it can be cut off). The whole row rests against the wedges that measure the gap. The extreme one also rests against the wedge with a side lock (it can also be cut off).

Which Side To Cut The Laminate

Laminate laying technology in a graphic image

If the geometry of the room is correct, no problem. If there are distortions, you will have to trim. Questions may arise when finishing the threshold: the board near the jambs is cut Not evenly, but in an arc, while maintaining a gap of 10-15 mm. Why in an arc? So there will be no hole under the door trim of any shape.

Laying schemes

In which direction to lay the laminate with your own hands? There are no strict rules, but there are guidelines. To make the joints along the boards less visible, the direction of the light should be along the board. It turns out beautifully if the covering is laid at an angle. But this method is more complicated and there is more waste. You can also lay across the world. this is also practiced, and does not threaten anything except more visible seams.

Laying laminate flooring windows: layout of elements

The main rule that must be observed when laying laminate is the offset of the seams. The minimum transverse seam should be at a distance of 40 cm from the second. So the durability of the flooring will be greater: the boards will NOT disperse under load.

The minimum distance between seams in adjacent rows is 40 cm

The layout of the laminate should be designed with this rule in mind. The easiest one for self-execution is offset by half the board. Then every odd row starts with a whole, and every even row starts with a half (or vice versa).

If the length of one element exceeds 1.2 m, then the second row can be shifted by 1/3, the third by 2/3 of the length (as in the photo above). It turns out a kind of “ladder”. In some types of laminate (expensive) the minimum offset of the rows is much less. maybe 15 cm.This is indicated on the package or in the accompanying instructions.

You can lay the laminate “ladder”, but you need to observe the minimum allowable displacement of the seam. On the right is a stacking scheme with a long board length and low offset

Laminate underlay

On an even and clean surface, the substrate is first laid. It hides the irregularities of 1-2 mm, which are acceptable and makes the floor less “noisy”. It also serves for shock absorption and better load redistribution.

The substrate is made of several types:

    Cork. Made from cork chips. It has good thermal insulation properties, absorbs sounds. Disadvantages: afraid of moisture and dislikes heating. After that, the area of ​​its application is rooms without underfloor heating, with normal importance and minimal risk of “flood”. That is, these are living rooms. Cork underlayment under the laminate is not often used expensive. If it is placed, then it is more under the parquet board. for the safety of the floor covering.

Cork is the best, but also the most expensive type of backing. Foil. a little cheaper, and its plus. it is suitable for heated floors

The most common polyethylene foam backing

Expanded polystyrene. average quality and price

Hammerless method. Click lock

When using “click” locks, it is more convenient to collect the planks one by one. The system is named because of the characteristic click, which is heard when the spike enters the groove. With such a system, the side locks are first connected, then the longitudinal ones. It happens like this:

  • The element to be installed is brought from the side to the mounted element at an angle of 45 °,
  • With a light pressure, the spike is inserted into the groove, tapping with the back of the hand;
  • The board is lowered to the floor, it turns out to be connected to the side surface located to the left;
  • So they collect the entire first row;
  • In the second row, the first board is installed in the same way, only with a longitudinal groove: at an angle of 45 °, insert the tray into the groove and push it slightly towards the clicks, lower it down;
  • The next boards in the second row are first connected with a side lock
  • In the boards connected together by the sidewalls, the edge is raised a couple of centimeters;
  • Insert a longitudinal spike into the groove of the previous ones;
  • They snap into place with a slight effort, knocking them if necessary, then exclusively with the palm.

Graphical representation of the process of laying a laminate with a click lock

How to lay a laminate with a “click” lock, see.

How to lay laminate flooring with your own hands: methods and schemes

How to make the floor reliable, beautiful, easy to install and at the same time inexpensive? These seemingly incompatible qualities are combined in the laminate. Since then, this floor covering is used more and more. Nevertheless, in order for the floor to serve for a long time, you just need to know the intricacies of the technology. For example, before laying the laminate, you need to check how even the base is. The maximum permissible deviation is no more than 1-2 mm per meter of surface. Only under this condition will it lie tightly, it will not bend and creak. If the differences are greater, the lock may even break or crack the board.

If the base has irregularities that exceed the permissible dimensions, it must be leveled. For cement floors, everything is simple. a leveling screed is poured. They begin to lay the laminate after the solution has reached at least 50% strength.

Laying laminate flooring is only possible on level substrates

If an old wooden floor is used as a base, it must be removed according to technology, then a full-fledged cement floor with all the necessary layers (bedding, hydro and thermal insulation, reinforcing belt and screed) should be made. You can install a heating system in this floor, and lay the floor covering on the warm floor. Only in this case it is necessary to use special types of laminate, which tolerate heat well. The cost of such a floor is high, and it takes a lot of time to install it. After that, they do not always do this. If the logs and boards are NOT damaged, you can level the wooden floor with plywood, and then lay the laminate on it.

When leveling a wooden floor, all strongly protruding fragments are cut off with a plane or with the help of a scraping, the cracks are sealed with putty. Plywood sheets are laid on the prepared old wooden floor (it is used more often, although any sheet material with a flat surface can be laid). They are fixed with self-tapping screws to the floor: around the perimeter after 15 cm, in the middle in a checkerboard pattern.

The joints of the sheets are shifted. they must NOT match (see the photo below). This way the load is transferred more evenly. One more thing. leave some gaps between the sheets. they DO NOT have to fit close to each other. Wood changes dimensions depending on humidity and temperature. And these gaps will give the necessary freedom so that there are no “humps” and distortions.

Laying plywood on a wood floor under laminate flooring is a common way to prepare the substrate during renovations. If the wood has not been damaged and the plywood is laid flat, do not “plays” and does NOT bend, such a foundation serves for years

This is how an old wooden floor looks like, prepared for laying laminate.

Like a flooring with a lock “Lock” (Lock)

Here the lock must be inserted from the side and the assembly method is different. You will need a piece of laminate with a spike and a light hammer (rubber mallet). The boards are laid out on the floor, straightened so that they lie exactly one side of the other. Move it so that the spike is close to the groove, insert a piece of laminate on the other side and tap it with a hammer, achieving a connection.

How to lay down laminate with the “lock” system

The method is also simple, but it requires caution: you can hit too hard with a hammer and break the lock. Then you have to use another element.

With this method, it is more convenient to lay the laminate, first we collect individual rows, and then connect them. This is schematically shown in the photo below.

So it is more convenient to lay the laminate with your own hands with the “lock” system

For more information on this method, see. There is no sound row, but everything is clear anyway.

The methods described above for laying the laminate can be made almost airtight, in any case, the amount of water that can get into the inter-joint space can be greatly reduced. For this, use a special glue. They are coated with thorns of the laid boards. The composition retains its elasticity for 10 minutes, then glue is applied immediately before installation.

The disadvantage of this technology is that the coating becomes almost monolithic. If you need to replace one or more boards, it will NOT work.

Laying methods for laminate flooring: two locks. two methods (instructions)

The technology used to lay laminate flooring depends on which of the locks on your flooring. They are made of two types. “click” (Click) and “lock” (Lock). You will NOT get confused, because the system is written on the packaging of each pack, and many have pictograms that explain the principle of stacking.

Here is the system of laminate locks depends on the way it is laid

How to cut laminate flooring straight

You can cut laminate boards:

  • Jigsaw (most convenient)
  • A hacksaw;
  • Hand circular saw.

To prevent burrs from forming on the face surface when sawing, it must lie “face” up. In order for the cut to be even, guides are used. rulers (strips) made of metal or wood. When using a hacksaw, the ruler does not have to give the opportunity to “climb” on the necessary half.

Square You can not only use to draw lines, but also use it as a guide when cutting

When cutting across, it is more convenient to use a square. It is pressed against the long side, the second serves as a guide.

Laying schemes

In which direction to lay the laminate with your own hands? There are no strict rules, but there are guidelines. To make the joints along the boards less visible, the direction of the light should be along the board. It turns out beautifully if the covering is laid at an angle. But this method is more complicated and there is more waste. You can also lay across the world. this is also practiced, and does not threaten anything except more visible seams.

Laying laminate flooring windows: layout of elements

The main rule that must be observed when laying laminate is the offset of the seams. The minimum transverse seam should be at a distance of 40 cm from the second. So the durability of the flooring will be greater: the boards will NOT disperse under load.

The minimum distance between seams in adjacent rows is 40 cm

The layout of the laminate should be designed with this rule in mind. The easiest one for self-execution is offset by half the board. Then every odd row starts with a whole, and every even row starts with a half (or vice versa).

If the length of one element exceeds 1.2 m, then the second row can be shifted by 1/3, the third by 2/3 of the length (as in the photo above). It turns out a kind of “ladder”. In some types of laminate (expensive) the minimum offset of the rows is much less. maybe 15 cm.This is indicated on the package or in the accompanying instructions.

You can lay the laminate “ladder”, but you need to observe the minimum allowable displacement of the seam. On the right is a stacking scheme with a long board length and low offset

How to lay laminate flooring with your own hands: Step-by-step instructions

The laying technology is the same: there are only some peculiarities when connecting elements, depending on the locks. The procedure will be as follows:

  • The substrate is laid on the leveled base, its joints are glued with tape.
  • Wedges or pieces of plywood 10-15 mm thick are installed around the perimeter of the room. Laminate boards will rest against them. In this way, an expansion gap is created around the entire perimeter of the room. It is needed so that the coating does NOT swell in heat or high humidity.
  • Along one of the walls. usually opposite from the entrance. the first row is laid. The first row is placed with a spike against the wall (it can be cut off). The whole row rests against the wedges that measure the gap. The extreme one also rests against the wedge with a side lock (it can also be cut off).

Laminate laying technology in a graphic image

If the geometry of the room is correct, no problem. If there are distortions, you will have to trim. Questions may arise when finishing the threshold: the board near the jambs is cut Not evenly, but in an arc, while maintaining a gap of 10-15 mm. Why in an arc? So there will be no hole under the door trim of any shape.

How to lay laminate flooring with your own hands: methods and schemes

How to make the floor reliable, beautiful, easy to install and at the same time inexpensive? These seemingly incompatible qualities are combined in the laminate. Since then, this floor covering is used more and more. Nevertheless, in order for the floor to serve for a long time, you just need to know the intricacies of the technology. For example, before laying the laminate, you need to check how even the base is. The maximum permissible deviation is no more than 1-2 mm per meter of surface. Only under this condition will it lie tightly, it will not bend and creak. If the differences are greater, the lock may even break or crack the board.

If the base has irregularities that exceed the permissible dimensions, it must be leveled. For cement floors, everything is simple. a leveling screed is poured. They begin to lay the laminate after the solution has reached at least 50% strength.

Laying laminate flooring is only possible on level substrates

If an old wooden floor is used as a base, it must be removed according to technology, then a full-fledged cement floor with all the necessary layers (bedding, hydro and thermal insulation, reinforcing belt and screed) should be made. You can install a heating system in this floor, and lay the floor covering on the warm floor. Only in this case it is necessary to use special types of laminate, which tolerate heat well. The cost of such a floor is high, and it takes a lot of time to install it. After that, they do not always do this. If the logs and boards are NOT damaged, you can level the wooden floor with plywood, and then lay the laminate on it.

When leveling a wooden floor, all strongly protruding fragments are cut off with a plane or with the help of a scraping, the cracks are sealed with putty. Plywood sheets are laid on the prepared old wooden floor (it is used more often, although any sheet material with a flat surface can be laid). They are fixed with self-tapping screws to the floor: around the perimeter after 15 cm, in the middle in a checkerboard pattern.

The joints of the sheets are shifted. they must NOT match (see the photo below). This way the load is transferred more evenly. One more thing. leave some gaps between the sheets. they DO NOT have to fit close to each other. Wood changes dimensions depending on humidity and temperature. And these gaps will give the necessary freedom so that there are no “humps” and distortions.

Laying plywood on a wood floor under laminate flooring is a common way to prepare the substrate during renovations. If the wood has not been damaged and the plywood is laid flat, do not “plays” and does NOT bend, such a foundation serves for years

This is how an old wooden floor looks like, prepared for laying laminate.

Like a flooring with a lock “Lock” (Lock)

Here the lock must be inserted from the side and the assembly method is different. You will need a piece of laminate with a spike and a light hammer (rubber mallet). The boards are laid out on the floor, straightened so that they lie exactly one side of the other. Move it so that the spike is close to the groove, insert a piece of laminate on the other side and tap it with a hammer, achieving a connection.

How to lay down laminate with the “lock” system

The method is also simple, but it requires caution: you can hit too hard with a hammer and break the lock. Then you have to use another element.

With this method, it is more convenient to lay the laminate, first we collect individual rows, and then connect them. This is schematically shown in the photo below.

So it is more convenient to lay the laminate with your own hands with the “lock” system

For more information on this method, see. There is no sound row, but everything is clear anyway.

The methods described above for laying the laminate can be made almost airtight, in any case, the amount of water that can get into the inter-joint space can be greatly reduced. For this, use a special glue. They are coated with thorns of the laid boards. The composition retains its elasticity for 10 minutes, then glue is applied immediately before installation.

The disadvantage of this technology is that the coating becomes almost monolithic. If you need to replace one or more boards, it will NOT work.

Laying methods for laminate flooring: two locks. two methods (instructions)

The technology used to lay laminate flooring depends on which of the locks on your flooring. They are made of two types. “click” (Click) and “lock” (Lock). You will NOT get confused, because the system is written on the packaging of each pack, and many have pictograms that explain the principle of stacking.

Here is the system of laminate locks depends on the way it is laid

How to lay the underlay

The substrate under the laminate is rolled out (laid out) along the wall from which the installation will begin. In length, it should cover the entire floor from wall to wall. The mowing line of the joints is tightly combined, for convenience they are glued with tape. Sometimes the panels are fixed with staples from a construction stapler. It is faster, but it is not very good to use the staples. they can rub against the boards and make an unpleasant sound. The next layer is spread as needed. immediately covering the entire floor is not necessary: ​​it is better not to walk on the substrate.

Laminate underlay

On an even and clean surface, the substrate is first laid. It hides the irregularities of 1-2 mm, which are acceptable and makes the floor less “noisy”. It also serves for shock absorption and better load redistribution.

The substrate is made of several types:

    Cork. Made from cork chips. It has good thermal insulation properties, absorbs sounds. Disadvantages: afraid of moisture and dislikes heating. After that, the area of ​​its application is rooms without underfloor heating, with normal importance and minimal risk of “flood”. That is, these are living rooms. Cork underlayment under the laminate is not often used expensive. If it is placed, then it is more under the parquet board. for the safety of the floor covering.

Cork is the best, but also the most expensive type of backing. Foil. a little cheaper, and its plus. it is suitable for heated floors

The most common polyethylene foam backing

Expanded polystyrene. average quality and price

Hammerless method. Click lock

When using “click” locks, it is more convenient to collect the planks one by one. The system is named because of the characteristic click, which is heard when the spike enters the groove. With such a system, the side locks are first connected, then the longitudinal ones. It happens like this:

  • The element to be installed is brought from the side to the mounted element at an angle of 45 °,
  • With a light pressure, the spike is inserted into the groove, tapping with the back of the hand;
  • The board is lowered to the floor, it turns out to be connected to the side surface located to the left;
  • So they collect the entire first row;
  • In the second row, the first board is installed in the same way, only with a longitudinal groove: at an angle of 45 °, insert the tray into the groove and push it slightly towards the clicks, lower it down;
  • The next boards in the second row are first connected with a side lock
  • In the boards connected together by the sidewalls, the edge is raised a couple of centimeters;
  • Insert a longitudinal spike into the groove of the previous ones;
  • They snap into place with a slight effort, knocking them if necessary, then exclusively with the palm.

Graphical representation of the process of laying a laminate with a click lock

How to lay a laminate with a “click” lock, see.

How to cut laminate flooring straight

You can cut laminate boards:

  • Jigsaw (most convenient)
  • A hacksaw;
  • Hand circular saw.

To prevent burrs from forming on the face surface when sawing, it must lie “face” up. In order for the cut to be even, guides are used. rulers (strips) made of metal or wood. When using a hacksaw, the ruler does not have to give the opportunity to “climb” on the necessary half.

Square You can not only use to draw lines, but also use it as a guide when cutting

When cutting across, it is more convenient to use a square. It is pressed against the long side, the second serves as a guide.

How to cut the laminate when installing the floor?

Professional tools: cutter

This tool is distinguished by its impressive design, delicate application, since the cutter is used exclusively for working with laminate. This is a professional, rather expensive manual device that does not require any skills or physical strength from the user.

The cutter is used exclusively for working with laminate

The cutter is distinguished precisely by the fact that it cuts planks like a super-sharp knife but butter. Outwardly, it resembles a guillotine, therefore, movements during cutting must be made in the direction from top to bottom. When, before laying the material, the question arises of how to cut the laminate, the thought arises in the cutter almost in the last turn, since because of its narrow specialization, not everyone knows about it. And then its efficiency and power are quite surprising. Appointment “under the laminate” is not the only “minus” of the cutter.

It does not cut panels along either figured, but it works quickly and simply.

Power Tools: Jigsaw

Electric jigsaw is an extremely convenient, simple tool

This tool is number one in most classifications. There are several reasons for this. The electric jigsaw is an extremely convenient, simple, easy-to-use, very effective tool. Therefore, when looking for a solution to the problem, the better to cut the laminate, many stop at the jigsaw.

Even a beginner can use it, even female hands can handle it. And the result will be more than high-quality: the cut will be Perfect, even, smooth, since the jigsaw produces a large number of revolutions. The main thing here is to choose the right pollen. Usually in a set with a jigsaw there are also components exclusively for the laminate. They have a special shape, pitch, setting of teeth. But an ordinary saw designed for metal can also cut the planks: with small narrow teeth.

Thanks to the jigsaw, the cut will be Perfect, even, smooth

On the wrong side, all the markings should be done, that is, the line of the cut line. How to cut laminate flooring if you don’t have a jigsaw to get NOT less perfect cut? You can use a circular.

Hand tools: hacksaw

Working with a hacksaw will require some physical effort

If you are scratching your head with which file, jigsaw to cut laminate in small quantities, an ordinary hacksaw can help you. The only thing you should be prepared for the fact that working with such a tool will require some physical effort. In addition, it is a mistake to think that for cutting wood you should choose a hacksaw with large teeth for wood. They will only “rip” and crush the board, break the fragments out of it. To prevent this from happening, you should choose exclusively a hacksaw for metal. with small, often located teeth.

A hacksaw Not suitable as a basic tool, therefore professional teams DO NOT use it. The disadvantages of using are the following: low productivity, high physical costs, danger of material damage. But in some cases, when it is not advisable to cut the laminate with an angle grinder or a jigsaw, when the volume of material is small, a hacksaw can even come in handy.

Published on 20 October 2016 14:49

Tool selection

How can laminate flooring be cut? Each craftsman has his own criteria by which he chooses a cutter for panels. Someone cares about its weight, work from the mains or exclusively by hand. Someone will choose from a variety of options the smallest tool, convenient and mobile. But for most masters of any level, thinking about how to cut a laminate when laying, an ideal cut, the ability to quickly execute it, will still be important. We list all the tools designed for working with laminate planks, designate the characteristics of each of them.

To get a plank of the right size, length, shape, there are several different electrical and manual units. When asked how to cut a laminate, experts give at least 7 answer options:

To get a board of the right size, length, shape, there are several different electrical and manual units.

  • Electric jigsaw;
  • Circular Saw;
  • an angle grinder or angle grinder;
  • A hacksaw;
  • Cutter;
  • Construction knife;
  • With an ordinary stationery knife.

Almost any of these tools will be able to get a smooth cut. Naturally, if you have the appropriate experience of handling. There is no single recommendation on how to cut laminate at home, what to use more correctly or professionally, in this situation. Each master is guided exclusively by his own experience and practice. Therefore, let’s start in order to disassemble each of the above.

Power Tools: Grinder

When pronouncing the word “angle grinder”, many will have one very persistent association with cutting metal. Most first got acquainted with this tool when they changed metal pipes for plastic at home. However, this unit has great capabilities. Grinding machines come in different sizes, capacities. Because of this, they have one main quality. versatility. Therefore, there is a certain category of craftsmen in whom the question does not arise how to cut the laminate. They automatically select the angle grinder, as they are used to cutting absolutely everything.

The angle grinder is very easy to use, produces a perfectly flat, smooth cut. For everything to work out, you need to install cutting discs:

  • Metals;
  • Concrete;
  • Ceramic tiles.

When working with this power tool, two fundamental points should be considered: a large amount of dust, an unpleasant smell of burnt wood. If you are wondering if an angle grinder can cut laminate flooring, the answer is yes. You just don’t need to do it indoors. Better to go outside or to the balcony.

Hand tools: construction knife

You can use a construction knife especially when it is important to quickly decide how to cut the laminate.

When laying laminate, various situations arise in which you can help out. A simple construction or even a clerical knife. For example, just a couple of planks are left to trim or cut, the power tool is out of order, and the work must be finished. The construction knife belongs to the tools, the use of which does not require skill or experience. However, they will need to cut with the application of physical strength. It can be used especially when it is important to quickly decide how to cut the laminate on the floor without long fixing the panels. The board is laid up with a film. The cut is performed along a ruler and with some pressure. It will NOT work to completely cut off the fragment: only a deep trace will remain on the surface. Then you just need to press a little to break off the notched piece.

Anyone who has ever laid laminate flooring knows that it is impossible to achieve perfect coverage without cutting it. After all, no matter how hard you try, it will NOT work to reach any of the walls and keep the full length of the boards.
Yes, and the chess classics in drawing without cutting DO NOT observe. Laminate is not the material with which you can work with an ordinary kitchen knife: not every tool is capable of making a high-quality cut. That is why, they start laying the laminate covering, you need to decide in advance on the cutting unit. Perhaps it will be a revelation for someone, but there are many answers to the question of how to cut the laminate. Each of the tools has its own advantages, features, potential, operational nuances. And you need to know about all the subtleties, so that later, in the process of work, to avoid several problems at once.

When starting to lay the laminate flooring, you need to decide in advance on the cutting unit

What to use at home?

When choosing a tool that is supposed to dust the laminated panels, several factors must be taken into account:

  • The tool should be easy to use and will NOT cause discomfort. It depends more on personal preference and handling skills.
  • Compact and lightweight items are much easier and faster to handle, and during repairs, every minute counts.
  • Another most important point of all is that with the help of the selected tool, a smooth cut should be obtained without chips or cracks. However, it is worth focusing too much on this factor, since minor irregularities will quietly disappear under the plinth.

Having familiarized yourself with the main characteristics, you can proceed to a more detailed study of tools for cutting laminate.

One of the easy-to-use tools with which you can cut the lamellae is the electric jigsaw. The device is lightweight and even a teenager or girl can quickly figure it out. The jigsaw operates at high speeds, so the spray is neat. One of the fundamental factors when using this device is choosing the right jigsaw saw. Modern models are usually equipped with special replacement saws for working on laminate flooring. Here are the second pollen, they differ in shape, location and size of the denticles. However, in the absence of specialized attachments, narrow saws with fine teeth are also suitable for cutting metal products.

A guillotine is suitable for cutting the required pieces of laminated panels. Unlike the previous device, the guillotine is a mechanical device. In appearance, it can be compared to large scissors. This cutter is quiet, uncomplicated and accurate to operate. With the help of it, it is easiest to cross-cut the laminate, but buying a cutter for repairs in an apartment will be impractical. Such a device is suitable for those who are professionally engaged in flooring, so it can be found for temporary use in familiar repairmen.

In order to cut the lamellas using a professional machine, you need to lay the panel on the guillotine support. Then adjust the blade so that the cut mark is aligned with the cutter blade. After that, you need to lower the guillotine handle, cutting off exactly and accurately the required piece of the panel. To get an even cut when sawing laminate, you can use a circular.

To work with circulars, lay the laminated panel face up and secure it securely. During work, you need to act carefully, slightly pressing while moving the disc and NOT staying for a long time in one place. Also, do not forget about the basic safety rules: the sleeves of clothing must be buttoned up during work, and hands must also be protected.

Another tool that requires working skills is a cutter. A handcrafted design with replaceable cutters is unlikely to be found in every home, but it can show up in professionally assembled furniture. The cutter is capable of leaving behind a perfectly flat and smooth surface, in addition, the tool can be used to cut various shapes.

Sometimes an ordinary construction knife can become an assistant when cutting laminate. It can be used for small amounts of work, for example, for cutting one or two panels, when there is no time to look for another tool.

When using a knife, lay the laminate face up, then make a deep cut with the knife in the marking area. Then, holding one side of the panel, it is necessary to press on the other part of it to the extent that it breaks in the place of incision.

The better to cut laminate?

In the process of laying the flooring, namely the laminate, it is important not only to be able to correctly connect the panels to each other. It is also necessary to correctly measure the size of the panels in accordance with the area of ​​the room, and also not to violate the Traditional masonry in a checkerboard pattern. In such a situation, the question naturally arises. how to cut the panels measured by size? Let’s try to figure out the situation.

Coating types

The choice of tools for cutting laminated panels largely depends on the type of lamella used. If you plan to lay the floor yourself and without the help of specialists, then it is better to pay attention to the soft types of laminate.

To cut this type of lamella, you will NOT need a special tool, it will be enough to arm yourself with an ordinary ruler, pencil or pen and a construction knife. First, the cut line is marked with a pencil or pen, and then a knife should be drawn along it. After that, you just need to bend the canvas. If you need to make a curly cut, then you can use large scissors for this action.

However, for sawing other types of multi-layer panels, which include high-strength fiberboard or chipboard, you need to choose more serious tools.

Can I use the “angle grinder”?

This tool, also called an angle grinder, is excellent for sawing a variety of materials, including laminated panels. With this device, you can get a smooth and neat cut. To properly cut the laminate flooring angle grinder, you need to lay the panel with the decorative side up, and also use special replaceable discs with fine teeth for working on metal, ceramic surfaces or concrete.

Since when working with an angle grinder, a large amount of dust and dirt is formed, and you can also smell an unpleasant burning smell during the sawing process, it is better to carry out all manipulations outdoors. On the ground floor, you can stretch the extension cord through the window and work on the street, on the upper floors an unglazed balcony is the best fit.

Another nuance when working with an angle grinder, as in handling a circular saw, is that you need to have at least a little experience with this tool. Uncertainly guiding the hand during sawing can lead to an uneven edge or it can completely fray.

How to choose a hacksaw?

Often, when carrying out work on laying out the laminate, they resort to using such a popular tool as a hacksaw. However, to cut panels efficiently and quickly, you need to choose the right model. Of course, in the absence of others, you can use a hacksaw for wood. But in this case, the process will be laborious, since the hacksaw for wood has large teeth. Due to THESE features, the hacksaw will NOT neatly cut the canvas, but dig into it.

However, it is worth remembering that the help of a hacksaw for metal should be resorted to only with small amounts of work. Unlike power tools, this one takes more time to cut and requires more effort, so professional builders DO NOT use a hacksaw for THESE purposes.

How to trim on the floor?

Sometimes there are situations when it is necessary to trim the laminated panels that are already laid on the floor. Usually people with insufficient experience in carrying out construction work in this case wonder how to do it correctly.

In addition, you can turn to a safer, but at the same time laborious method. using a cutter. In order to cut the laid laminate, you need to arm yourself with a professional wood cutter. According to the advice of experienced people, you need to make two parallel cuts along the width of a narrow chisel, then select the cut piece with a chisel. And so slowly remove the length of the panel to the desired size.

How to cut without chips?

In order to carefully saw off the laminate of the required length, you need to carefully prepare for the start of work.

Initially, you need to decide what kind of tool from the ones described above will be done. And you need to be guided when choosing not only the availability of the device, but also the existing skills in handling it.

When the measurements are made, and the place to cut is marked with a pencil, you need to draw an even line along which the laminated panel will be cut.

When all the preparatory work has been done, you can proceed directly to the sawing process.

Which side is dusty?

Typically, laminate panels are sawn across to remove length. But sometimes situations arise when it is necessary to spray the lamellae along.

In this case, it is better to use electrical appliances, since even a professional laminate cutter is designed to cut across the panel. The jigsaw will be the best assistant for solving this problem. It is with his help, even without having special skills in handling the device, that you can easily cut the panel around. both along and across.

For information on the best way to cut the laminate so that there are no fragments, see the following.

Tool Angle grinder (angle grinder)

The angle grinder is a handy tool, indispensable in the DIYer’s drawer. It can cut almost anything, including laminate. For a beautiful edge, without cracks and chips, when cutting, you need to return the laminate board with its front surface. In this case, discs are used for metal, concrete or ceramic tiles.

The downside to using an angle grinder (and a circular saw too!) Is the large amount of dust that will be generated when cutting laminate. Also, this action can be accompanied by the smell of a burning tree. Therefore, you need to do cutting on an open balcony or on the street.

How to cut laminate: Choosing the right cutting tool

In order to properly lay the laminate on the floor, you need to be able not only to connect the laminate panels, but also to cut them correctly. Otherwise, it will be impossible to “fit” into the area of ​​the room, as well as to observe the traditional chess pattern of the coating. Since you cannot handle laminated boards with your bare hands, you can entrust cutting them with one of the hand or power tools.

Laminate Cutter Tool

The laminate cutter, on the other hand, allows for professional cutting. Most often, this tool works like a guillotine. a knife, which, with the help of a handle, is lowered onto the surface of the laminate and cut into it. The cutter operates easily, without chips or noise. It does not require force or skill to use it. Perhaps this is the easiest tool to use, allowing you to get excellent results in any conditions.

Since this cutter is used exclusively for laminate flooring, it only makes sense to buy it for professional installation. For finishing several rooms of an apartment, this option is considered impractical.

Choice of cutting tools for laminate flooring

The main characteristics that a tool for cutting a laminate at home should have are:

  • Ease of use
  • Compact and lightweight
  • The ability to obtain an even cut, without cracks and chips

The last point, the meaning of which is not to spoil the appearance of the laminate board after cutting, is decisive for most DIYers. However, its significance is still exaggerated. In any case, chips up to 5 mm in size in the finished coating will not be noticeable. defects along the edge of the panels will hide behind the skirting board.

So what are the best tools for cutting laminate?

Jigsaw tool

The best result in cutting the laminate can be achieved by using a jigsaw for this purpose. It is a lightweight, very easy-to-use tool that will quickly be approached by any novice master. Even a woman or a teenager. Spraying with a jigsaw is performed at high speeds, which avoids damage to the fiberboard structure. If you act quickly, confidently, then the cut will turn out to be almost perfect.

The main thing in using a jigsaw is the choice of the saw. Modern tools are usually initially supplied with special saws for cutting laminate. They are distinguished by a special shape, pitch and way of setting the teeth. However, ordinary metal saws. narrow, with small teeth. can handle this business as well.

In order not to damage the decorative surface, the cutting line is applied (with a pencil or chalk) to the wrong side of the laminate board. It is laid on a table (chair) with the wrong side up so that the part to be cut is also suspended. They fix the laminate on the table with one hand, and quickly cut off the excess part with the other.

Hacksaw tool

Laminate can be successfully cut with a conventional wood hacksaw. But it will take effort, because its teeth are large enough and will bite into the laminate, and not cut it out. Smaller teeth in hacksaws for metal. this is what you need to use for cutting.

A hacksaw is very often used for cutting with small amounts of work. In construction crews, this method is not used, due to the increased time and labor intensity.

Construction knife tool

A regular construction knife can also be used to cut laminate flooring. For example, if you are almost done with your flooring, there is only one board left to cut, but the angle grinder suddenly breaks. There are second tools at hand, but cutting needs to be done urgently. Then a construction knife will come to the rescue. Place a ruler on the front side of the laminate board and make a deep cut along it with a knife. While holding the board on one side of the cut, press down on the other side. The laminate should break, just like ceramic tiles when hit by a tile cutter.

Circular Saw Tool

A neat cut along the edge of the laminate can be obtained using a circular saw with a metal disc. A circular saw is more difficult to work with than a jigsaw, so it requires some skill. If you have them, then the laminate can be sprayed quickly, evenly, practically without chips.

The laminate board is laid on a hard surface with a pattern upwards, fixed. You need to cut carefully, with slight pressure, move the disc along the drawn line, trying NOT to slow down in one place.

As an epilogue

The choice of tools for cutting laminate is quite large. Indeed, qualitatively cutting laminate boards, with experience, can be done with almost anything. Only the amount of time and labor spent will be different. Therefore, when making a choice in favor of one of the tools, focus only on your own preferences and needs.