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How To Cut PVC Floor Tiles

Date Published: 06-07 - 2022

Let’s go over how to cut PVC flooring tiles.

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SAFETY
When cutting any kind of flooring, it’s important to use the proper safety equipment. This includes hearing protection (if you’re going to use power tools), eye protection and sometimes a mask. And it’s always a great idea to consider using quality anti fatigue mats from Greatmats!

CONCERNS
In this video we’re going to demonstrate how to cut PVC Floor Tiles. The flexible nature of this type of product is the determining factor in the type of cutting devices that work best. PVC floor tiles are available with both a raised base and a low profile form.

TOOLS
If you’re hoping to cut these tiles using a power saw, it’s best to use a saw that travels in one direction. Those that use a reciprocating motion will cause the tile to flex and move during cutting. The same applies to non-powered saws or knives. Aside from cutting devices, you’ll also want the following tools:
A measuring device
A marking tool (Chalk Marker, Pen, Permanent Marker)
A square
A metal straight edge
And maybe a wooden 2x4

PROCESS
The motion of the cutting device is important when using both power tools and hand tools including:
Circular Saw/Table Saw/Compound Miter Saw
A Jig Saw
A Utility Knife
A Hacksaw and Crosscut Saw
Heavy Duty Scissors
Hole Saw
For all cut you want to start by measuring and marking where you’d like to cut your PVC Floor Tile.
If you’re simply looking to cut off an end of a tile, a t-square or framing square will help you keep that nice 90 degree angle.

Circular Saw Blades
(Circular saw blades are designed for straight line cuts.)
Simply follow your marked line with the blade.
For a circular saw, push the saw along the line until you completed the cut.
For a table saw, push the tile pass the saw blade until you’ve completed the cut.
For a compound miter saw, pull the blade down through the tile. The size of your saw and/or tile may limit your capabilities with this type of cut as you may not have enough coverage of the saw blade to cut a full tile. In some cases you can flip the tile and cut again from the other side to complete the cut.
We don’t recommend any of these saws for corner cuts.


Utility Knife
(Utility Knives can be used to cut in straight lines or curves.)

Once you’ve marked the tile, align a metal straight edge with your mark. Make sure your straight edge is longer than the cut you’ll be making so you can make continuous cuts.
Then, following the straight edge guide, make a series of several scores until you’ve developed a nice groove.
Then, let the tile either hang off the edge of your workbench at the cut - or place a 2x4 board under the cut to allow that cut to open.
Then continue to score the rubber until you’ve made it all of the way through. The cut will continue to open with each score, allowing you to continue cutting with limited friction on the blade.
If you need to notch out a section the roll to go around something like a door frame. The same procedure applies. Just make sure to start cutting from an interior corner and pull the blade toward the outer edge. This will help prevent over-cutting.

Heavy Duty Scissors
(For straight lines or curves)
Depending on the thickness of your tile and the sturdiness of your scissors, cutting pvc floor tiles with a scissors may be a possibility. This will require quite a bit of hand strength, however.

Reciprocating Blades
(Let’s see why reciprocating bladed saws can cause difficulty in the cutting process by using this jigsaw.)

Hand Saws
(Hack Saw and Cross Cut Saw)
If using a hand saw, its best to place your tile off the edge of a work bench and perform all cutting motions pushing down, to avoid lifting the tile off of your work surface.

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