Given its low maintenance, the vinyl plank flooring is an affordable alternative to the hardwood option. However, considering its different texture and density, you may wonder how you can prepare it for use. Therefore, I understand that whether you can cut the vinyl plank with a saw or not is a matter of concern that requires your attention.
So, can you cut the vinyl plank with a saw? Cutting the vinyl plank is possible with simple tools such as the saw, utility knife, and Dremel. Unlike the hardwood flooring option, the vinyl plank is easy to install and work with. The utility knife is the most popular tool in this category but you can use different saws depending on the type of cut you want to achieve. The ease of use and unlimited tool options explains why the vinyl plank is the most common material in DIY projects.
The vinyl plank is lightweight with a groove plank and tongue to ease installation. The plank dimension and patterns resemble a wood floor but are not as thick, hence seem fragile at first. For this reason, the best way to cut this material without damaging it should concern you, as this will dictate the final look of your DIY project.
You can cut the vinyl plank with a saw as long as the type of saw you choose has fine teeth. You do not want your edges to be rough, as this will alter how your planks fit on the floor. Thus, to be safe, use a fine teeth saw. This saw will leave the edges of the vinyl clean and undamaged after the cut.
A flush-cut pull saw is another alternative that will leave the edges smooth and clean. This saw design is such that it produces clean cuts on both wood and vinyl. On the other hand, avoid using a rip saw meant for the hardwood. Other alternatives to use on your vinyl plank include the circular saw and jigsaw.
While you can use the handsaw to cut vinyl planks, experts do not advise its use. This is so since the vinyl plank edges can damage easily if you use large teeth tools to cut. Thus, consider its use for the finishing cuts if you insist on using handsaws. Also, this option is labor-intensive than other alternatives.
By choosing a handsaw to cut your vinyl, you should brace yourself to increase the duration of the flooring installation. For this reason, saws are the most inefficient tools in cutting vinyl planks. Unfortunately, if you have no other options, you will have to stick to this for a longer period.
Most woodworkers prefer using the circular saw in vinyl plank flooring. This saw effectively rips long planks to get the right fit for your floor space, and it functions faster than a jigsaw. It is a powerful tool and utilizes several circular blade types to cut different materials.
The circular saw is also easy to use, and its usefulness extends to building houses, DIY projects, and building decks. In addition, this saw is affordable, and you can get one with a budget of 40 to 200 U.S. dollars.
When it comes to vinyl flooring, the circular saw is useful if you use the right type of blade with it. You can get the best blades by checking reviews to see how they worked with vinyl, but the size of the blade, just like in other types of saws, should be the top consideration on your list when doing this.
The circular saw cutting process is relatively fast. When using this tool, clamp the plank properly into your workbench to prevent its movement as you cut through it. This technique ensures high precision during the cut. Another circular saw that you might want to explore in vinyl flooring is the mini-handheld saw. This saw is less bulky and its smaller blade diameter will ensure smaller cuts.
Like any other saw, the circular saw emits noise and dust during use. Thus, it is advisable to use it while outside, in a garage or workshop, rather than the space you are installing the vinyl flooring. Also, wear your protective gear, including your mask, as the saw will blow dust into the air. Wearing earplugs is also ideal for shielding your ears from the noise as you work through your vinyl.
The jigsaw should be your go-to tool if you want to cut curves and circles. With this tool, you can cut your vinyl into the desired shapes depending on your flooring needs. You can use different blade types like the circular blade with this saw.
Hence, the correct blade is key in attaining a smooth cut. Jigsaw blades are affordable, and you can purchase different blades for your saw, though most come with a blade meant for hardwood which provides an aggressive cut. Thus, for the best results, look for a less aggressive blade with finer teeth to ensure a smooth cut and undamaged edges.
A jigsaw should be your go-to saw if you desire versatility. With this saw, you can attain several cuts, including the cross cuts and smaller cuts. You can also use it for cutouts on pedestals, pillars, toilet bases, and door jams.
All the above is possible if you install a narrow blade on your saw as the wider ones will struggle to cut the tight curves and corners. Despite its effectiveness, this saw is slower in performing rip cuts on your vinyl planks. Lastly, like other saws, a jigsaw will create some mess during use. However, you can overcome this by cutting your vinyl planks over a bucket or dustbin.
Can You Use a Miter Saw To Cut Vinyl Planks for Flooring
If you plan to improve your home by installing vinyl flooring, you are probably wondering whether your miter saw is the right tool for the job. Read on to understand the Miter saw’s effectiveness and how to use it for vinyl flooring installation.
A miter saw is a good selection for cutting vinyl planks but its workability is limited to certain types of cuts. If you want to do crosscuts to shorten your planks or cut angles into the board ends then the miter saw will work best. This saw employs a similar principle to the table saw but the blade, in this case, moves toward the material.
Despite being an effective tool, the miter saw cannot do a rip cut on the vinyl planks. This is so since its design is such that you cannot run the blade down the plank or board. Thus, use a miter saw as a crosscut saw for the best results. Like other saws, the miter saw blade is critical to the cut. This saw features straight high tooth edges, enabling you to get a clean finish as you slice through the pieces.
While the miter saw is good with vinyl planks, it is not always the best option, especially when handling longboards, thus if you are cutting a longboard that needs support during the cut, consider a mounted miter saw.
While such big planks will not damage your tool, it will be challenging to attain a clean cut if you do not support the plank you are cutting properly. Thus, if you insist on using a miter saw, place the plank on a solid floor to ensure no damages from the saw vibrations. You should also protect your knees with knee pads throughout this operation.
Can You Cut Vinyl Plank With a Table Saw for Flooring?
The vinyl material is lightweight and its tongue in groove edges often cause concern on the best way to cut this material. While making your cuts, you would not want to leave jagged edges, cracks, or splits on your vinyl planks, which is why I help you know whether the table saw is an ideal tool for this job.
A table saw is a good fit for cutting the vinyl plank, especially if you want a rip cut. A rip cut is made along the plank length and is primarily useful on the long edge where the vinyl planks meet the wall.
During installation, you may encounter instances where there is less space between the second last plank to the wall, such that you cannot fit a full-width plank. In such a case, you will have to trim the plank along its length, and a table saw will come in handy. A table saw will support the plank length as you push it through, ensuring a clean cut.
In addition to rip cuts, a table saw will also come in handy if you want to perform crosscuts on your planks. A crosscut comprises trimming the plank length to make it shorter. Shortening your plank will be necessary if they meet the opposite wall at the top of the boards. Also, to cater to the obstacles along your plank path, shortening will come in handy.
When using your table saw, you should change the blade to a fine-tooth, whether for the crosscuts or rip cuts. Blades with a high tooth per inch count will produce a smoother cut, hence suitable for the vinyl planks, as they allow easy installation instead of roughing up the edges.
The rake angle of the table saw teeth is another consideration when cutting vinyl planks. A blade with a positive rake angle will give more aggressive cuts than one with a zero rake or negative rake angle.
Finally, in addition to the above types of saw, you can also consider the utility knife and Dremel. The utility knife, also called a box cutter, features a bent offcut portion to break the plank along its score line using the score-and-snap method. This procedure is widely used since it is effective; however, if incorrectly done, it will result in a not-so-clean breakline.
Thus, if you want to cut your vinyl planks with a utility knife, ensure you shop for the best. The best utility knife comprises a wooden or steel handle, as you will apply a lot of pressure to dig deeper into the plank. A utility knife with a plastic handle or snap-off blades may break if you apply pressure, and you may injure yourself in the process.
Using the utility knife, you can cut the vinyl plank with a few steps. First, measure the cut and use rue to mark the plank. Next, place a straight edge on the cutline. The straight edge material should be steel and not plastic.
If the material is plastic, you could accidentally cut it using a sharp utility knife, altering your straight line, hence the vinyl plank fit. Using your utility knife, exert pressure on the knife to make your cut at least halfway through the vinyl plank. You can then flip the plank and bend the piece with the decorative side at the bottom until it snaps off.
The Dremel Trio is suitable for cutouts, important in shaping the planks to ensure their fit around obstacles. Unfortunately, this is seemingly the only way you will use this tool in vinyl planks, as it is unsuitable for rip cuts and crosscuts, which are common in such projects. Thus, if you want versatility, consider the Dremel Saw Max. With this tool, you can make rip cuts and crosscuts as long as you put a straight edge along the cutline.
Summary
The vinyl plank is a soft, lightweight, and durable material, explaining its wide usage in homes and pet houses DIY projects. In addition to its simplicity in use, it is also easy to cut without using special equipment. Hence, you should work around your vinyl plank with a handsaw, jigsaw, or circular saw. However, the dilemma lies in which tool is the best to ensure good results.
Given the lightweight material in vinyl planks, you should consider a saw with finer blades or a high-tooth count for a smooth cut and undamaged edges. The saw you pick will also vary depending on the type of cut you want, which could be a cross-cut or a rip cut.
Working with a jigsaw or circular saw will allow you to change the blades to attain the desired output. On the other hand, a handsaw is an effective tool for this job but is labor-intensive. Even then, the tool you pick should give smooth cuts and undamaged edges for the best results.
