As a durable covering, vinyl flooring is an extremely popular choice for areas in the home such as kitchens and bathrooms. Fairly simple to install, vinyl will allow you to achieve the best finishes – even as an amateur.
However to enable a fantastic result to be achieved, the floor needs to be cut correctly.
With this in mind, we've produced a guide featuring three of the best tips for getting a clean cut when installing vinyl flooring:
Ensure your area is measured accurately – The most important thing to remember before cutting is that you might not always be dealing with square measurements – the home will throw up many different shapes.
When working with a roll of vinyl flooring, ensure that you cut more than needed. Place the sheet on the floor, weighing it down with a heavy object, and then roll out towards the edge. You can then mark the part of the sheet nearest to the edge of the wall, using a pencil.
Keep safe when using heat - Heating vinyl flooring makes it a much easier material to cut – also resulting in a cut that is cleaner too. This can be carried out in a manner of different ways including by utilising a heat gun, soldering torch or even a hair dryer.
Regardless of the method you employ, it's crucial to ensure that you remain safe. Employ a back and forth technique to heat the flooring – as heating one area for too long will result in the floor become discoloured or damaged. You should also make sure that anything that is flammable or loose – hair, clothing, etc. – is clear from the area you're heating.
Cutting the material – A standard utility knife is usually the most favoured tool for cutting vinyl flooring. It is always important to ensure that the point you make before drawing the knife isn't towards you – this will minimise the risk of an accident occurring.
Cutting less material than you need to remove is also recommended, as if you cut too much you'll be left with unsightly gaps. At least if you don't remove enough, you can always go back and get a finer and more accurate cut.
The latest flooring news, courtesy of Floors Online.
Date : 22/09/2011
Category: Flooring Industry News