Here is how to cut laminate flooring without chipping it. Use a saw with a fine-tooth blade, mark the cut with a pencil, and put the good face where the blade enters the plank: face up for a miter or table saw, and face down for a circular saw or jigsaw. Clamp the plank, cut slowly, and test on a scrap first. For small jobs, a score-and-snap laminate cutter makes clean cuts with no dust.
What tools can you use to cut laminate flooring?
A miter saw with a fine-tooth blade is the best tool for straight cuts, and a jigsaw handles notches and curves. A table saw or circular saw suits long cuts along a plank, and a manual laminate cutter works for a few quick cuts with no dust. Whatever you use, a coarse blade chips the wear layer, so fit a fine-tooth blade made for laminate or finish cuts.
| Tool | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Miter saw | Straight cuts across planks | Dust. Use a blade with many fine teeth |
| Table saw | Long cuts along a plank | Keep fingers clear and use a push stick |
| Circular saw | Long cuts with a guide | Cut with the good face down |
| Jigsaw | Notches, curves, holes | Slow cuts. Check the blade's tooth direction |
| Laminate cutter | Quick cuts with no dust | Thick planks may need more force |
Tooth counts vary by guide. For a miter or circular saw, about 60 teeth or more is a common starting point, and a fine laminate blade is better still. Follow the blade maker's advice.
Which side up do you cut laminate?
Put the good face on the side where the blade enters the plank. Chips break out on the side where the teeth leave the cut. A miter saw and a table saw cut down into the plank, so lay the plank face up. A hand circular saw and most jigsaw blades cut upward, so lay the plank face down. A score-and-snap cutter works face up.
Sources disagree on the exact rule for jigsaws, because blades differ. Check which way your blade's teeth point, and test on a scrap before you cut a good plank.
How do you cut laminate flooring without chipping it?
Use a fine blade, support the plank, and let the saw do the work. These habits prevent most chipping:
- Mark the cut line with a pencil and a straightedge on the face.
- Put painter's tape over the line to hold the edge together.
- Clamp or hold the plank so it cannot shake.
- Cut slowly, without forcing the saw.
- Support both sides of the cut so the offcut does not snap away.
- Test on a scrap if the blade is new or the floor is a new brand.
Wear safety glasses, ear protection and a dust mask. Laminate dust is fine and sharp, so cut outdoors or in a garage if you can.
How do you make a straight cut?
- Measure the gap you need, and subtract the expansion gap if the cut is at a wall.
- Mark the plank, and tape over the line.
- Set the plank on the saw table with the correct side up.
- Cut slowly with the blade just outside the line.
- Test-fit the plank. Sand a rough edge lightly if it needs it.
For the last plank in a row, measure at the point where it will sit, because walls are rarely square. Check your maker's gap, which is commonly 1/4 to 3/8 inch and up to 1/2 inch for some floors.
How do you cut laminate lengthwise?
Cut along the plank with a table saw, or a circular saw run against a clamped straightedge. Set the plank face up on a table saw and face down for a circular saw. You often need this for the last row, which must be at least 2 inches wide, so plan your rows before you cut. Cut a little wide, then trim to fit.
How do you cut laminate around a door casing?
Undercut the casing so the plank slides under it, instead of notching the plank. Lay a scrap plank and a piece of underlayment against the casing as a height guide, then cut through the casing with a jamb saw or an oscillating tool, resting the blade on the scrap. Remove the offcut and slide the plank in with a small gap. The edge of the floor then hides under the casing.
How do you cut laminate around a pipe?
Drill a hole in the plank that is about 1/2 inch larger than the pipe, unless your maker asks for a different gap. Measure the position of the pipe from the edge of the plank and from the last joint, and mark the center on the plank before you drill. Then cut from the hole to the plank's edge so you can slip the plank around the pipe, and glue the cut piece back in place. A pipe cover or collar hides the gap.
How do you cut curves and notches?
Use a jigsaw with a fine blade and cut slowly. Draw the shape on the face with a pencil, drill a starter hole inside the waste area for an inside cut, and keep the plank clamped. For an L-shaped notch around a corner, cut one leg with the jigsaw and the second with the same tool, then test the fit. A paper template taped to the plank makes odd shapes easier.
What mistakes should you avoid?
| Mistake | Why it matters | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse blade | Chips the wear layer | Use a fine-tooth laminate blade |
| Wrong face up | Chips show on the surface | Put the good face on the entry side |
| Cutting to the exact wall length | No room for expansion | Subtract the gap |
| Skipping the scrap test | A wasted plank | Test first |
| Forcing the saw | Rough edges and burn marks | Cut slowly |
| Forgetting dust protection | Fine dust irritates lungs and eyes | Wear a mask and glasses |
Quick answers to common questions
What is the best saw for cutting laminate flooring?
A miter saw with a fine-tooth blade is best for straight cuts. A jigsaw is better for notches, curves and pipes.
Which side up do you cut laminate flooring?
Put the good face where the blade enters. That is face up for a miter or table saw, and face down for a circular saw or jigsaw.
Can you cut laminate flooring with a utility knife?
Not well. A utility knife will not cut through the dense fiberboard core cleanly. Use a saw or a score-and-snap laminate cutter.
How do you stop laminate from chipping when you cut it?
Use a fine blade, tape over the cut line, clamp the plank, cut slowly, and keep the good face on the entry side of the blade.
How do you cut laminate around a pipe?
Drill a hole about 1/2 inch larger than the pipe, cut from the hole to the plank's edge, and glue the piece back.
Keep reading: how to install laminate flooring, common laminate installation mistakes and laminate flooring.
Do you need to cut laminate flooring with care?
Yes. Laminate chips easily, so how to cut laminate flooring well comes down to a fine blade, the right face up, and slow, supported cuts. Test on a scrap, mark every cut, and measure the last piece in place. A few careful cuts leave edges that no one will ever see.
