Cutting Laminate Around Corners

Cutting laminate around corners is not too difficult, but I thought I would explain how I do it anyway. There are times when your installing laminate and you come to a corner and need to cut the next board to fit. I will make it as simple as possible using photos to explain.

( Click on photos to enlarge )

Step-1 As you can see in this photo I installed the laminate up to a corner and now I need to cut the next piece to fit around the corner.

Step-2 The first thing I do is to lock a laminate plank onto the floor, this temporary plank will be removed after I get the measurements. Doing this shows me what the piece I need will look like.

Step-3 Next I get a new plank and position it so I can mark where to cut, this mark will give me the length of the board I need after I cut it. The way to do this is to lay the plank in reverse in relation to the flooring already installed. Leave a 1/4 space from the wall at the end of the plank, this will leave you with the expansion gap after your cut.

Step-4 Now with the plank cut to the correct length, I lay it facing the direction it will be installed. I line the end up at the left where the end joint will be. I make a mark at the corner, making sure to leave a 1/4 inch space as in the photo.

Step-5 After making the mark at the corner in step 4, you will need to measure at each end as shown in this photo. Transfer these measurements to your board. When measuring at these two points allow for the 1/4 inch expansion joint.

Step-6 After measuring the width needed at each end, draw a line where you will make the cut. I use a table saw to cut, you can use other types of saws such as a jig saw or even a hand saw if your up to it.

Step-7 With the piece cut to size, all that needs to be done now is to install the board. In this case I was able to lay the board down flat and tap it together with my tapping block and a pull bar.

Here is the end result, the board is installed with the proper space along the walls. Make sure you do not make the gap too big as the quarter round would not cover.