Laminate flooring is a popular choice for flooring in many homes. It is affordable, durable and easy to care for. However, sometimes it can be difficult to cut the laminate flooring without a saw. In this article, we will show you how to cut laminate flooring without a saw.
Materials Needed:
– Chalk line
– A Tape Measure
– Scissors or a knife to cut the chalk line. – Cleaning rags or towels, you will need this for removing any excess glue after adhering your laminate flooring. – Furniture Protection Mats – Place them under your furniture so it will not leave a mark on the floor.
– Scrap cardboard that is larger than your cut lines – Use a marker to draw a straight line that will be used as a guide when you need to cut the laminate flooring. A marker can also be used in putting furniture protection mats down on the floor.
– Masking tape or blue painters tape – Used to hold the scrap cardboard in place.
– Glue for adhering your laminate flooring. – There are different types of glues available in the market, make sure you read the label carefully before buying one to use for your project.
– A putty knife – used to apply the glue on the laminate flooring.
– A hard flat object that you can use as a straight edge – This is needed to run along your chalk line. The straight edge will be used in making sure the cut line on the laminate flooring is straight and will not have any bumps or bulges when adhered to the floor.
Step 1: Measuring
The first step is to measure the area where you will be installing your laminate flooring. This will help you determine how much laminate flooring you need to purchase. Make sure to add a few inches to each side of the measurement so that you will have enough material to work with.
Step 2: Making A Chalk Line
In order to make a straight cut on your laminate flooring, you will need to use a chalk line. To do this, you will need to first draw a straight line on the floor using a marker. Make sure that the line is parallel with the walls. Once you have drawn the line, attach the chalk line to the end of a hard object that is at least 1/2 in thick. Run the chalk line along your drawn line. When you are done with one pass of the chalk line, pull it back up and make another pass in order to get a straight cut on the laminate flooring.
Step 3: Measuring Again
Take the measurements of where you will be cutting your laminate flooring and make sure to take note of the distance from the wall and draw a line with your chalk line that is parallel to it. Make sure that there is at least 1/8 inch additional space between the walls and laminate flooring to make sure that the laminate flooring will not crack.
Step 4: Making Cuts In The Laminate Flooring
One way to cut your laminate flooring without a saw is by using a sharp pair of scissors or a knife. To do this, you will need to first secure the laminate flooring with some masking or painters tape. Cut the laminate flooring along the chalk line that you have drawn on the floor.
step 5: Applying Glue
Once you have cut the laminate flooring, it is time to apply some glue. Apply a thin layer of glue using a putty knife on the back of the laminate flooring. Make sure that you cover the entire surface of the laminate flooring.
Step 6: Placing Flooring
Carefully place the laminate flooring in the desired position and use a hard, flat object to press it down onto the glue. Run the object over the laminate flooring to make sure that it is firmly in place. Use a hard, flat object or a scrap piece of wood to compress the seams together. Place some furniture protection mats under your moving pieces so they will not leave marks on the floor when placed down.
Step 7: Waiting For The Glue To Dry
Leave the laminate flooring for at least 8 hours in order to allow the glue to dry. Wait longer if it is winter because cold weather can affect how quickly the glue dries.
Step 8: Removing The Scrap Carbon Paper And Masking Tape .
After the glue has dried, you can now remove the scrap carbon paper and painters tape after cutting the laminate flooring. Put on some gloves for this process since it will be very dirty especially if there are any dust particles that landed on the pieces of cardboard during the initial preparation stage.
Step 9: Applying A Sealant
Apply a sealant all over your laminate flooring in order to protect it from stains and moisture. You can either purchase a sealant at your local hardware store or use a wax polish.
There you have it! You have now successfully installed your laminate flooring without the need of a saw. Congratulations!
Cautions:
There are many ways to cut laminate flooring without a saw, but it is important to exercise caution when doing so. Make sure that you have enough measurement for the cuts that you will be making. Although the measurements are very important for this method, it is also crucial to ensure that there is no excess glue applied on the back of the laminate flooring. Applying too much glue can make it difficult to place the flooring in its desired spot and can also lead to potential messes. Another thing to be aware of is the wait time for the glue to dry before proceeding with Step 8. Make sure that you factor this into your schedule so you do not run into any problems.
I hope this article has helped you in your quest to cut laminate flooring without a saw.
Thank you for reading!
