Installing wood flooring in your home can do wonders to transform your space. Whether you are looking for an extremely personalized aesthetic, a modern vibe, increased home value, or simply a refreshed look, there is a wood flooring option for everyone’s needs.
Cutting wood flooring planks to fit perfectly is one of the most critical aspects of achieving a professional-looking result. This SureReno guide provides DIY homeowners with the best methods, tools, and techniques for cutting a variety of wood flooring types accurately and efficiently. This includes: Hardwood, Engineered, Laminate, Vinyl, and Bamboo.
Table of Contents
Using the right tools and following our key SureReno types will have you cutting wood flooring like a professional carpenter in no time. This article is just one in a series of wood flooring articles designed to help you through every step of your wood flooring project so you can start with confidence and love the end result.
For a complete guide on installing wood flooring in your home, start to finish, check out our other articles here: DIY Renovator Workshops: Hardwood flooring
Why Cutting Wood Flooring Matters
Precise cuts are essential for:
- Creating a Seamless Fit: Properly cut planks ensure a clean look with tight joints.
- Minimizing Waste: Accurate cuts reduce material waste, saving time and money.
- Avoiding Damage: The right tools and methods prevent chipping and cracking of the finished surface.
Preparation: Setting Up for Success
Measure Twice, Cut Once
- Use a tape measure to record accurate dimensions.
- Mark the cut line with a pencil or marker on the plank’s decorative side.
Secure the Work Area
- Use clamps to hold the plank steady while cutting wood flooring.
- Work on a stable surface, such as a workbench or sawhorses.
Safety First
- Wear safety goggles and a dust mask to protect against debris and dust.
- Ensure tools are in good condition and follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
Best Tools for Cutting Wood Flooring
Circular Saw (Sometimes called a ‘Skill Saw”)
Best For
Straight cuts along the width of the plank that will be later hidden under the trim. Note: a Circular saw is efficient but is not perfect and requires skill and practice to make straight cuts.
We only recommend using it for cuts that will be against walls and therefore hidden once the trim is installed.
Blade
Use a fine-tooth blade designed for the particular wood product you are using to minimize chipping. Cut with the decorative side facing up.
Pros
Fast and efficient to use for semi-accurate cuts over a shorter length.
Cons
Produces dust; requires setup and experience to handle safely and accurately.
SureReno Helpful Hints
- A Circular saw can mark up or scuff the finished wood surface as the base plate moves across it. Putting a few strips of painters tape on the bottom of the base plate will prevent this.
- A Circular saw has the nickname ‘skill saw’ for a reason. It takes some experience to cut straight without pinching the blade and without hurting yourself. If it is your first time using a Circular saw we recommend practicing on a scrap piece of wood first to get comfortable. Always cut on a secure, stable surface.
- For a more precise cut, position the circular saw so the blade is in line with the marked cut line. Just before beginning your cut, place a speed square against the base plate of the saw and hold it across the plank. This will act as a guide to help make your cut straighter.
Jigsaw
Best For
Intricate cuts, such as curves or notches around obstacles. Use if you must match a wall with a curve in it or around plumbing fixtures.
Blade
Use a fine-tooth blade and cut with the decorative side facing up. Start slowly to avoid splintering.
Pros
Versatile and excellent for detailed finishing work.
Cons
Slower than a circular saw; may leave minor splintering on the edges.
Miter Saw
Best For
Precise angled cuts or for corners and finished edges. A Miter saw provides very accurate and clean cuts so it is ideal to use when the cut will not be hidden. For example, at a transition point in a doorway.
Blade
Use a blade suitable for engineered planks and position the decorative side down. Adjust the angle settings carefully.
Pros
Accurate and consistent cuts. Making cuts that require a specific degree of angle.
Cons
Limited in length of cuts. Cuts can only be made that are shorter than the diameter of the blade. Miter Saws produce a large amount of dust, use outside if possible.
Flooring Saw
Best For
Straight cuts along both width and lengths of the plank.
Blade
Fine tooth wood blade.
Pros
Very portable and compact. Combines the abilities of a miter saw, table saw, and circular saw.
Cons
Can be costly to purchase and only specialized for floorings. Can produce excessive dust.
SureReno Helpful Hints
- A flooring saw’s ability to make many different types of cuts makes it very useful and efficient. However, unlike all the other cutting tools on this list, a flooring saw is a specialized tool designed just for cutting wood flooring planks.
- While all the other tools on this list are versatile and can be used for many other DIY projects. Some of these tools you might even already own. Because of this we don’t recommend purchasing a flooring saw unless you expect to be doing more flooring projects in the future.
Table Saw
Best For
Cutting wood flooring planks lengthwise. Longer cuts that require consistent precision along the entirety of the plank length.
Blade
Use an engineered flooring-specific blade and cut with the decorative side up. Ensure the fence is secure for straight cuts.
Pros
Ideal for repetitive straight cuts along the length of the plank.
Cons
Requires additional space and produces dust.
Oscillating Tool
Best For
Notching small corners around door frames or trim.
Blade
Use a fine tooth wood blade.
Pros
Ideal for making small notches for tight fits around obstacles.
Cons
Can be inaccurate and slower than larger saws.
Utility Knife
Best For
Making small notches and cleaning cut edges from any loose pieces.
Blade
Standard
Pros
Ideal for making small notches around obstacles. Used primarily with vinyl flooring. A much cheaper and more user friendly option.
Cons
Can be inaccurate and slower than larger saws. Not effective on thicker planks such as hardwood and engineered.
Cutting Techniques
Straight Cuts Across the Width of the Plank
Saw Type
Use a circular saw, miter saw, or flooring saw.
- A flooring saw is the best for fast and clean cuts. However, if you do not have a flooring saw a miter saw will provide comparable precision.
- A circular saw is sometimes preferred due to its maneuverability and efficiency but must only be used for cuts that will be hidden, and increases the risk of injury.
SureReno Helpful Hints
- Mark the cut line and ensure the plank is securely clamped.
- If you are noticing significant chipping or splintering edges when cutting. Try applying a strip of painters tape over the cut line, re-mark the cut line over the tape, proceed to make your cut through the tape, then simply remove the tape. This will help reduce the likelihood of chipping or splintering the finished surface.
Straight Cuts Across the Length of the Plank
Saw Type
Use a table saw
- A table saw allows for clean and consistent cuts over a longer length making it ideal for cutting planks lengthwise. Likely only used at the end of the room when the last row of planks must be cut to fit in the remaining space before the wall.
SureReno Helpful Hints
- Mark the cut line and ensure the plank is securely clamped.
- It is important to measure the gap on both sides of the space the plank will be placed. This is because walls are often not as straight as you think. If the gap varies more than ⅛ of an inch across the length of the plank a circular saw may be required instead of a table saw because a table saw cannot adjust for this difference. The longer the planks the more prevalent this will be.
Angled Cuts
Saw Type
Use a Miter Saw.
- Adjust the angle settings on the miter saw. Make sure that the vertical plain is set to the desired degree to match the wall or obstacle you are shaping the plank to. Set the Horizontal plain to 0 degrees (straight up and down). It is very rare you will need to make a horizontally angled cut when doing flooring.
SureReno Helpful Hints
- Use a speed square or protractor to identify what angle is required.
Curved or Notched Cuts
Saw Type
Use a jigsaw or Oscillating tool
- A Jigsaw uses a thin, small blade which allows it to be maneuvered and turned while cutting. This makes it ideal for cutting curves around walls or obstacles.
- An Oscillating tool is better for straight notches that will be hidden after trim installation. The cut edge may not be as smooth or clean cut but can be handy when fitting planks around door frames, trim, or baseboards.
SureReno Helpful Hints
- Trace the cut line with a template or stencil for accuracy.
- If you are using a Jigsaw to make a cut in the center of a plank that does not allow you to start from the edge of the plank, a hole for a plumbing pipe for example, it is important to use a drill with a hole saw bit to make a small starting point for the Jigsaw. Jigsaws do not cut into the surface of planks well.
Cutting Vinyl Planks
Saw Type
Any of the previously mentioned tools are ideal for cutting vinyl planks. However, some vinyl products can also be cut using a utility knife.
- A utility knife can be used in a wide variety of cutting situations. Vinyl is a softer material than other wood flooring types and can cut lengthwise, widthwise, and on an angle. Simply make a cut along the cut line on the plank to score the surface. Then bend the plank at the cut line to get a straight break.
- Although, vinyl can be cut with a utility knife quickly and efficiently. It is not necessarily the most accurate method. A saw may still be preferred depending on the style of vinyl and how accurate you feel with a knife.
SureReno Helpful Hints
- A method to improve accuracy with a knife is to use a scrap plank or carpenter’s square as a guide when cutting. Exactly like using a ruler to draw a straight line you can use a straightedge to make a straight cut.
Additional Tips for Cutting Wood Flooring
Plan Your Layout
Arrange planks to minimize the number of cuts needed, especially for intricate designs.
Prevent Splintering
Use high-quality blades designed for the wood flooringtype you are using, and cut with the appropriate side facing up or down based on the tool. The saw blade should alway be rotating into the finished surface and not out of the finished surface.
Test Before Final Cuts
Practice on scrap pieces to ensure accuracy and confidence with the saw. Minor adjustments may be required before beginning.
Work in a Ventilated Area
Cutting wood flooring generates dust; ensure proper ventilation to protect your health and to keep a cleaner work space.
Sand Finished Edges
Edges that will be visible after the trim is installed such as transition pieces at doorways should be lightly sanded with a fine grit sandpaper where the cut was made to provide an extra smooth finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Rushing Through Cuts
Take your time to avoid errors and wasted materials.
Using the Wrong Blade
Always use fine-tooth or wood-specific blades to prevent chipping.
Making Multiple Cuts at Once
Just because you are cutting planks on one end of the room to one length does not mean they will need to be the same length for the entirety of the room. Walls are not always straight. Alway measure every cut, and cut one piece at a time to avoid poor fitment.
Skipping Safety Gear
Protect your eyes, hands, and lungs by wearing the necessary equipment.
Conclusion
We have listed many different types of cutting tools here and each one of them has a particular situation in which it excels. However, you will see professionals using all sorts of different methods and tools depending on their skill level, experience, and situation.
It is important for you to analyze your particular situation and comfort level and make the best decisions for your project. Perhaps you have no curved walls or obstacles to shape around, then you don’t need a Jigsaw. Or perhaps you don’t have a table saw but are comfortable enough with a circular saw to make longer cuts. There is no right or wrong way to cut wood flooring as long as you are doing it safely and are satisfied with the end result.
Cutting wood flooring doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right tools, techniques, and preparation, you can achieve professional-quality results. The SureReno app provides additional resources to guide you through the installation process, ensuring your DIY project is efficient and successful.
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