Blog / Flooring
How To Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring
Three reliable ways to cut click vinyl and luxury vinyl plank cleanly, which tool to use for each cut, and when it makes sense to let an installer do it.
Quick answer
Tools you need
You don’t need a workshop. Most rooms can be done with a knife and a square, plus one power tool for the awkward cuts.
Score and snap, step by step
Measure and mark
Mark the cut line on the face of the plank with a pencil and a square. Measure twice: a short plank can’t be stretched.
Score the wear layer
Hold the square firmly on the line and score with a sharp knife. Two or three light passes work better than one hard one.
Snap the plank
Bend the plank along the score line, face up, until it breaks cleanly.
Cut the backing
Fold the plank and run the knife along the back to cut through any attached pad.
Long cuts with a saw
Score and snap works best across the width of a plank. For cuts along its length, called rips, or for thick rigid-core boards that won’t snap cleanly, use a saw.
- Fit a fine-tooth blade made for laminate or vinyl.
- Clamp the plank so it can’t move while you cut.
- Wear eye protection, and cut outside or with dust collection when you can.
Installer tip: check which way your blade cuts. With most circular saws, cut with the face down so the top edge stays clean. With a mitre saw or table saw, cut face up.
Door frames, pipes and vents
Around door frames it is usually neater to undercut the casing than to cut the plank to its shape. Lay a scrap plank on the floor against the casing, rest an oscillating tool on it and cut the casing at that height. The new plank then slides underneath and the cut edge is hidden.
For pipes, drill a hole slightly larger than the pipe, then cut from the edge of the plank to the hole with a jigsaw so the piece can slide around it. Heat vents are usually easiest to mark from the underside of the plank and cut with a jigsaw.
Mistakes to avoid
- No expansion gap. Floating vinyl needs a small gap at every wall. Follow the gap the manufacturer lists for your floor, and cover it with baseboard or quarter round.
- A dull blade. A dull knife tears the wear layer. Change blades often.
- Cutting the whole room first. Cut as you go, one row at a time, and check each piece before you cut the next.
- Short end pieces. Plan the rows so the first and last pieces aren’t tiny slivers.
Rather not cut it yourself?
We install vinyl across Toronto and the GTA, with a free in-home measure first. Browse vinyl flooring or read how we handle vinyl flooring installation in Toronto.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cut vinyl plank flooring with a utility knife?
Yes. Most click vinyl and rigid-core planks can be scored on the face with a sharp utility knife and snapped. Use a saw for very thick boards or for long cuts along the plank.
What blade should I use to cut vinyl planks?
A fine-tooth blade made for laminate or vinyl gives the cleanest edge with the least chipping.
Which side up do I cut vinyl plank?
Score face up with a knife. With most circular saws, cut face down; with a mitre or table saw, cut face up.
How do you cut vinyl flooring around a door frame?
Undercut the door casing with an oscillating multi-tool so the plank slides underneath and the cut edge is hidden.
How much does vinyl flooring installation cost in Toronto?
At 22FLOORING, click vinyl installation starts at $3.20 per square foot and glue-down vinyl at $5.50 per square foot including glue. Taking up the old floor is included; subfloor preparation and stairs are priced in your free quote.
Keep reading