When undertaking renovation or finishing works, it may be useful to know how to cut floor panels. So if you want to make sure everything goes according to plan, it is worth exploring this issue beforehand, getting to know the different types of panels, as well as the tools that you will need to cut them.
When undertaking renovation or finishing works, it may be useful to know how to cut floor panels. So if you want to make sure everything goes according to plan, it is worth exploring this issue beforehand, getting to know the different types of panels, as well as the tools that you will need to cut them.
Types of floor panels and how to cut them
Wooden floor panels are a very popular method of finishing floors. They are relatively cheap and match virtually any interior design. There are several types of panels available on the market. As they are made of a variety of materials, there are also different cutting methods depending on the type. The most popular are wooden, vinyl and laminate flooring.
Wooden floor panels
These are made from various types of wood. They differ not only in their appearance, but also in durability, as well as resistance to moisture, scratches and deformation. In this case, the top layer of the panels is most important. Panels made of cherry, walnut or beech are the softest, so they are not a good idea in places where you will walk around in shoes.
Oak, maple or ash panels are slightly harder, with the hardest panels being those made of hickory, jatoba or lapacho. Thanks to the varnish or oil finish, their top layer is protected against dirt, deformation and scratching. You can also find raw wooden floor panels that have not been finished in any way, so you will have to cover them with a protective coating yourself.
In the case of wooden floor panels, a solid softwood layer or HDF board is under the top layer, on which we walk and plays a decorative role. Its task is to make the panels more hard-wearing. The third, bottom layer, is made of plywood, and it is this bit that will be in contact with the floor. The top layer in the case of wooden floor panels can be from 2 to 4 mm. When it comes to cutting the panels, this can make a big difference, directly affect the precision of your work.
How to cut wooden floor panels? Hand saws, panel cutters, jigsaws and circular electric saws for wood and metal will be perfect in this case.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Vinyl is another material used in the production of laminate flooring. It is very soft, but resistant to moisture, durable and, thanks to its elasticity, also resistant to deformation. LVT flooring should not be cut with a circular saw, hand saw, or any tool that generates heat. This will deform the material during cutting.
So how should you cut such panels? In this case, an ordinary wallpaper knife will be enough. You can use it to easily cut any shapes and adapt the panels to your floor quickly, easily and without any risk of misfitted panels.
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Benchtop Bandsaw – 350 W
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Table Saw Blade – Ø200 mm 29.99 €
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Table Saw Blade – Ø250 mm 30.99 €
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Rotary Cutter – blade Ø 45 mm 17.99 €
Laminate panels
How should you cut laminate panels? In this case, the floor is made of a wood-like material. However, they have a completely different structure than natural wood, so we would not recommend using a hand saw for cutting. It would take a long time and it would be difficult to achieve a precise cut. A panel cutter wouldn’t work very well either, because it could tear the bottom of the surface. If you want to get rid of jagged edges, read our article: “How to properly sand wood“.
A much better choice is using power tools such as circular saws and jigsaws.
Necessary tools for cutting floor panels
When it comes to what to use to cut floor panels, we already briefly discussed the necessary tools. However, before getting down using them, it would be good to get to know more about how they work so that you can cut the panels properly. Remember, however, that you will also need some basic skills. So if using any of these tools is too difficult for you, it may be better to use the service of professionals.
Traditional hand saws
The most basic method to cut laminate flooring is to use a handsaw. However, if you want to do it right, you should get a special reciprocating saw blade. An advantage of such blades is that they are very easy to use. In addition, hand saws do not require any power source and do not make a noise. Their only disadvantage is the need to use force, which in practice makes it more exhausting.
It is also difficult to use a hand saw to cut panels lengthwise, while at the same time maintaining a precisely and even line. For this reason, small cuts are recommended.
Flooring cutters
When it comes to manually operated devices, flooring cutters are also very popular. They are quick to operate and easy to use. In most cases, they also provide an ideally straight cut edge. However, flooring cutters, as the name suggest, are dedicated only to cutting panels. For this reason they are not very popular for home use, although they are a good choice for companies offering renovation services.
Circular saws
In the case of tools that use a blade, such as circular saws, the blade is more important than the machine itself, as it is directly responsible for the precision of the cut as well as work comfort. For cutting floor panels the blade should be as fine as possible, and also pay attention to the material from which it was made. The better the blade quality, the more efficient the cutting process.
Jigsaws
Jigsaws are yet another type of saw that can be used for cutting floor panels. An advantage is that they can be used practically without using any force, making them very convenient to use. When it comes to efficiency, jigsaws can be used to cut various shapes, not only straight lines, so ideal for cutting the shapes around radiator pipes.
Using a jigsaw does, however, require some manual skills. Improper use could lead to uneven cuts, ruining the final effect of your work. However, a jigsaw guide may be a good solution in this case.
How to cut floor panels – summary
Choosing the right tool to cut floor panels depends on the material from which they were made. Wood, wood-like material or plastic should be cut differently. The availability of appropriate tools and skills for the job are also of importance. In the case of tools such as hand saws or jigsaws, basic manual skills will come in handy.
Cutting floor panels requires precision, so if you do not feel up to the job it is worth using professional contractors.
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