How Do You Cut Garage Floor Tiles & Rolls?
Related Product: TurboTile Perforated Garage Floor Tile 5/8 Inch x 1x1 Ft.
How to Cut Garage Floor Tiles and Rolls
The best way to cut garage floor tiles varies depending on the type of tile you’re working with. At Greatmats, we carry perforated tiles, PVC tiles, and rubber tiles and rolls. We’ll get into the specifics of cutting each type of flooring in a moment, but let’s touch on safety and essential tools first.Always prioritize safety when cutting flooring. Make sure you have eye protection, hearing protection, and respiratory protection, and that you use the devices whenever you’re making cuts.
You’ll also need certain tools:
- Measuring tool, like a tape measure
- A marking tool
- A square
- A metal straight edge
- A cutting tool
- A 2x4
How to Cut Perforated Garage Floor Tiles
Perforated garage floor tiles, like our TurboTile Perforated Garage Floor Tiles, pose a bit of a challenge because of their ribbed surface. As a result, we recommend using a chalk marker or window marker with a straight edge to mark the lines. These tools won’t absorb into the non-porous surface, so you can wipe or wash them off.
When cutting these tiles, you’ll need a power saw. Always position the tiles so the blades go through the surface first and exit out the underside. This helps keep the rough edges on the underside of the tile.
If you have a saw that’s deep enough to go all the way through the tile, that’s preferred. However, if you’ve marked your line all the way across the tile, you can flip it around and finish the cut.
How to Cut PVC Garage Floor Tiles
The flexible nature of PVC tiles, like our Coin Top Home Floor Tile Colors, will determine the type of cutting device that you need. If you’re using a power saw, it’s best to use one where the blade moves in one direction, which helps to keep the tile stable. A reciprocating saw, or a non-powered saw, can cause the PVC plastic tile to flex and move while you cut, leading to poor results and making it difficult to keep your lines straight.
Start by measuring and marking where you’d like to cut the tile. A T-square or framing square helps keep your 90-degree angle accurate if you’re cutting off the edge. Then, follow the mark with your blade.
If you’re using a miter saw or chop saw, the blade is shorter, so it won’t travel all the way through the tile. You will need to flip the tile and cut it again from the other side to complete the cut.
You can also use utility knives to cut straight lines or curves. To use a utility knife, align a metal straight edge with your cut and use it as your guide. Follow that guide, making a series of shallow scores. Let the tile hang off the edge of your workbench at the cut, or place a 2x4 beneath and let the tile hang open. The edge will help open up the cut, reducing the friction on your blade. Continue to score the tile until you’ve cut all the way through.
How to Cut Interlocking Rubber Floor Tiles
Products like our Interlocking Rubber Tile Gmats Black are simple and easy to install, but you may need to cut these modular tiles to fit your space. When cutting rubber floor tiles to size, a permanent marker is often best for marking your lines.
To create a straight edge, use a straight edge guide and a sharp utility knife. Use the straight edge to mark where you want to cut. A metal T-square can also work well to help keep your cuts aligned straight.
Hold your guide - whether it’s a straight edge or a T-square - in place and make a series of shallow scores with your utility knife. After a few passes, place a 2x4 underneath the area that you would like to cut to help open up the seam and reduce friction on your blade. Continue making shallow scores until you’ve worked your way through the tile.
When cutting a corner, you can measure off the planned cuts using a tape measure and a framing square. Use the square to accurately mark your cut. Next, place your straight edge along your line, then start your cut in the corner and pull your way out, away from the corner with each score. Repeat the process on the other side of the corner.
How to Cut Rolled Rubber
One of the biggest challenges in cutting rubber rolls is the flooring’s size and, potentially, its weight. You may also find you have too much friction while cutting, which can make the scores difficult.
When working with a product like our Rubber Flooring Roll Geneva, start by measuring and marking where you would like to cut the flooring rolls, using a T-square as your guide. Next, align a metal straight edge with your cut. The longer the straight edge, the better; it’s best if the straight edge extends past your cut to help guide each score.
You can cut thinner rubber rolls all the way through by making repeated scores with a utility knife. Be sure to place a piece of plywood beneath so you don’t cut into the surface underneath your rolled rubber.
If you’re cutting a thicker rubber roll, score the roll partway through and then place a 2x4 beneath to help open up the cut. Proceed to score all the way through the roll.
The same procedure applies if you need to notch out a section. Make sure that you start cutting from an interior corner, and pull the blade toward the edge. You may also be able to cut a thinner roll of rubber with a heavy-duty pair of scissors, which can be helpful if you need to cut curves.