How to Cut Vinyl Flooring Around Objects

by Jane Melcher
Updated on

If you are looking to install a new vinyl floor but aren’t sure how to cut it around objects, this blog post is for you. We’ll go over the best way to cut vinyl flooring around obstacles so that your installation is a success.

How to Cut Vinyl Flooring Around ObjectsCheckout this video:

Measuring and Marking the Vinyl

You’ve decided to lay a new vinyl floor, but there are a few obstacles in your way. Namely, the doorways. Never fear, though, with a little careful measuring, you can cut the vinyl to fit perfectly around those obstacles. Here’s how to measure and mark the vinyl so you can get a perfect fit.

Measuring the vinyl sheet

After finding the center of the room, use a chalk line to snap a perpendicular reference line from that point across the width of the room. Then measure and mark the doorways, cabinets and other obstacles along that line. You can also use a laser level to project a horizontal line around the perimeter of the room to help you locate obstacles more precisely.

Marking the vinyl sheet

When it comes to cutting vinyl flooring, the process is pretty straightforward. However, one thing you need to be careful of is marking the vinyl sheet correctly. Here are a few tips to help you do that:

-Use a sharp pencil or pen to mark the vinyl sheet. This will help ensure that your lines are accurate.
-Mark on the back of the vinyl sheet so that you don’t accidentally cut into the wrong side.
-If you’re using a template, make sure that it is securely fastened to the vinyl sheet before you start cutting.

Once you’ve marked the vinyl sheet, you can start cutting it to size.

Cutting the Vinyl

If you need to cut your vinyl flooring to around an object in your room, there are a few ways that you can do this. You can use a utility knife, a vinyl cutter, or a jigsaw. In this section, we will go over how to cut vinyl flooring around objects using each of these methods.

Cutting around obstacles

When it comes to cutting vinyl flooring, there are a few different ways you can go about it. You can use a utility knife, a scoring tool, or a power saw. Depending on the size and shape of the object you’re working around, one of these methods may be better than the others.

If you’re working with a small object, like a toilet flange or electric outlet, a utility knife will probably be your best bet. For larger objects, like pipes or cabinets, you’ll probably want to use a power saw. And for objects that are somewhere in between, like baseboards or door frames, a scoring tool may be your best option.

Here’s a quick rundown of how to use each of these tools to cut vinyl flooring around obstacles:

Utility knife: Place the vinyl flooring against the object you’re cutting around and trace its outline with a pencil. Then, use a straightedge to score the vinyl along your pencil line. Be sure to score it deep enough that you can see the line when you bend the vinyl back. Once you’ve scored the entire outline, carefully cut along the line with your utility knife.

Scoring tool: Place the vinyl flooring against the object you’re cutting around and trace its outline with a pencil. Then, use a scoring tool to score along your pencil line. You’ll want to hold the scoring tool perpendicular to the vinyl and apply firm pressure as you move it along the line. Once you’ve gone over the entire line, carefully bend the vinyl back and forth until it snaps along the score line.

Power saw: Place the vinyl flooring against the object you’re cutting around and trace its outline with a pencil. Then, use a power saw to cut along your pencil line. Be sure to wear safety goggles and follow all manufacturer’s instructions when using any power tools.

Cutting curves

Most people don’t think about how to cut vinyl flooring around objects until they need to do it. If you’re lucky, your room will be perfectly square with no obstacles. But in most cases, you’ll need to make some cuts around doors, obstacles or other objects. Curves are the hardest cuts to make, but with a little patience and the right techniques, you can do it.

Here are some tips for cutting vinyl flooring around curves:

-Use a utility knife or scissors to score the vinyl along the line where you want to make your cut. Be sure to score deeply enough that you can see the line on the back of the vinyl.
-Fold the Vinyl over so that you can see the line on the back. Using a pencil, trace along the line on the back of the vinyl.
-Using a utility knife or scissors, carefully cut along the pencil line.
-When you get to a corner, make small cuts at an angle until you reach the curves again. You can then connect the curves with a straight cut.

Installing the Vinyl

If you are installing a vinyl floor, you will need to cut the vinyl around objects such as cabinets, toilets, and doorways. You will also need to make sure that the vinyl is cut evenly so that it will lay flat on the floor. In this article, we will show you how to cut vinyl flooring around objects.

Preparing the surface

The surface should be clean, dry, level, and free of waxes or oils. If the surface has been previously painted, any loose paint should be scraped and sanded before trying to install the vinyl. If your subfloor is plywood, you will want to check for any loose or damaged areas that need to be repaired before starting your project.

Applying the adhesive

Applying the adhesive properly is important for two reasons. First, if you don’t put down enough adhesive, the vinyl may not stick well to the floor and could eventually peel up. Second, if you use too much adhesive, it could seep up through the cracks between the boards and make a mess.
You’ll need to spread the adhesive with a notched trowel; the size of the notch will depend on the type of vinyl you’re using. For example, if you’re using a 1/8-inch thick sheet vinyl, you’ll need to use a 1/16-inch square notch trowel; for a 1/4-inch thick luxury vinyl tile or plank, you should use a 3/32-inch square notch trowel; and for a 6 mm (1/4 inch) thick luxury vinyl tile or plank, you should use an 1/8-inch square notch trowel.

Notched trowels have metal teeth that help spread an even layer of adhesive. You can find them at most home improvement stores. Be sure to buy one that’s the right size for your vinyl.

Before you start spreading adhesive, take a few minutes to practice on a sheet of cardboard or scrap wood. This will help you get a feel for how much pressure to apply and how much adhesive to use.

Laying the vinyl sheet

The first thing you need to do is unroll the vinyl sheet on the floor and position it in the room. If you have to cut the vinyl sheet to fit the room, use a sharp utility knife or a pair of scissors. To avoid cutting yourself, make sure to put a piece of cardboard under the vinyl sheet before cutting.

Once you have the vinyl sheet in position, use a measuring tape to measure the length and width of the room. Then, use a pencil to mark where you need to cut the vinyl sheet. After that, take your utility knife or scissors and carefully cut along the line that you marked.

Trimming the excess vinyl

After you have the vinyl flooring in place and have smoothed out any bubbles, it will be necessary to trim the excess vinyl from around the edges of the room. A utility knife is the best tool for this task, but you may also use apair of scissors. You will need to be very careful not to cut into the flooring itself.

To get started, you will need to find the point where the vinyl meets the edge of the room. Use your utility knife or scissors to score a line along this edge. Be sure to keep the blade perpendicular to the floor so that you do not accidentally cut into the vinyl.

Once you have scored a line around the entire perimeter of the room, gently remove any excess vinyl. If there are any stubborn pieces that do not want to come up, you can use your utility knife or scissors to carefully trim them away.

About the author

Jane Melcher

Jane is a stay-at-home small business mom. She makes more than her husband selling her creations on Etsy.

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