Best Laminate Flooring Saw Blade

Laminate flooring is one of the most affordable and durable choices for homes today. You can select an option that looks like a hardwood product, have a waterproof installation, and a low-maintenance lifestyle in one effort.

If you want to DIY the installation of a new laminate floor, you’ll need to cut specific pieces to fit each space’s needs. The correct saw blade lets you accomplish this work.

Recommended Blade

Freud LU79R010

• Blade Type: Circular Saw Blade for Laminate
• Blade Diameter: 10-inches
• Number of Teeth: 80T
• Suitable for: Circular Saw, Table Saw, & Miter Saw
• Price: Click to See Price

Jump to: List of Best Laminate Blades

 

Best Saw for Laminate Flooring

What is the best tool to cut laminate flooring? Anything that cuts can theoretically produce the shape and size of laminate flooring you need for each room. It is essential to remember that not all tools or blades are created equally.

Saws perform specific functions based on their design. That means some options work better with your laminate flooring than others.

Different flooring choices can also dictate what the best tool should be for the job. If you have an entry-level product that shreds easily with each cut, you’ll need a sharp, high-precision blade to avoid damage.

Here are the choices of saws to cut laminate flooring, available for you today.

1. Flooring Saw

The flooring saw is an effective way to cut your laminate boards when installing a floor. It combines the benefits of miter and table saws while offering more portability. This tool functions in the installation area so that you spend less time moving between the tools and floor while working. It can make rip, cross, and miter cuts.

2. Table Saw

The table saw tends to be the one used most often for cutting laminate floors. It can hold each board while you make slices according to the measurements taken. You can go with or against the grain to create the finished product you want.
A table saw is the perfect tool for ripping along the length of the workpiece.

3. Miter Saw

You will use a Miter saw if you need angled (bevel and miter) or cross-cutting work on your laminate floor. The design lets you pull the saw back while cutting downward, which is why it doesn’t make straight edges well.
If you compare a table saw and miter saw, the former is best for long straight cuts whereas miter saw works best for angular cuts.

4. Circular Saw

This tool’s portable nature, combined with the straight cuts it can perform, makes it an excellent choice for laminate flooring. You can hold it in one hand, brace the boards in the other, and create a steady cut.

However, circular saws are not suitable for long rip cuts, since it is difficult move the saw along a perfect straight line. In order to overcome this issue, you should either use a circular saw guide rail or go for a track saw.

5. Jigsaw

This power tool gives you a vertical blade to use. That means you’ll need sawhorses or a stand to perform your cut correctly.
Jigsaw works best if you need to cut a curve or angle into your laminate floor. If you clamp a board to a workstation, you could make some cross-cuts with this tool. Straight edges along the grain are more challenging.

6. Handsaw

If you want the pleasure of installing your laminate floor by hand, choose this option. You may wish to have a miter box to go with this tool to ensure your angles get adequately cut. It must have sharp teeth to be a practical option.

7. Dremel Tool

You can attach various discs, Dremel bits, and blades to this versatile tool to prepare your laminate floor for installation. Although it doesn’t work well for lengthy cuts, you could polish and shape boards that shredded or splintered while using another saw to maximize your investment.

Best Saw Blade for Laminate Flooring

Following are some of the best blades to cut laminate flooring. Chose the right blade according to the arbor size and the type of power saw that you use to cut the laminates.

Does Laminate Flooring Dull Saw Blades?

Anything that you cut through with a saw blade will eventually dull your tool’s cutting teeth or edge.
The goal of your saw blade is to have it last as long as it can while you create the straight and trim cuts for your installation.

Even if you use carbide-tipped blades, you’ll notice that the time it takes to push through the material can burn the saw rather quickly. If you try to make cuts on other materials, you may not make it through the material.

That initial burn doesn’t dull the teeth or edge entirely when working with laminate. Once you get through that first stage, you can cut through the rest of the flooring without much trouble with most saws.

You’ll want to swap blades for each room you work on at home to ensure the best cuts. If you need your saw to cut through different materials, you’ll also want to switch them out for the best results.

Best Blade Type for Cutting Laminate

Although plank and vertical blades can conceivably cut laminate flooring, circular ones are the best option to use. The shape and speed work well to make the straight cuts needed for a seamless installation.

Circular Blades

Once you have a circular blade available for your DIY floor, choose carbide-tipped products to complete the work. They last up to 30% longer than the other options in this category, and you can sharpen them again for under $15 at most locations.

Diablo 12-inch Blade – Click for Price

You can save the old carbide-tipped blades to cut through nail heads when removing plywood for future projects. If you have a recycling scrapyard nearby, you can even get some of your investment back!

The best saw blades for laminate floors use numerous fine teeth instead of a handful of larger ones. As a general rule, think about the tooth count on a saw in the same light as the grit number on sandpaper.

Number of Teeth

If you need to make rough cuts quickly, a blade with about 60 teeth at a 10-degree hook gets the job done effectively. Since you want a smooth, precise edge with your laminate boards, a plywood-style blade is a better choice for your work.

A plywood blade should be formed from high-speed steel to produce the best results. It should have a minimum of 100 teeth on it to create the clean edges you need. This option retails for around $40 per unit.

If you can’t find one locally or order one online, a combination blade is your next best option. It should have approximately 80 teeth around the circumference to offer clean cuts with minimal warping.

Jigsaw Blades for Laminate Flooring

Flooring saw, table, and circular saws perform about 90% of the cuts you must make when installing a laminate product.

Jigsaws are needed for the remaining pieces. Although you can theoretically cut curves with the other blades, it is much easier to use this tool for that purpose.

When you choose jigsaw blades for your laminate floor, it helps to select a product made specifically for your materials.

Brands like Bosch offer a three-pack of blades that let you tackle each aspect of your installation work. You’ll receive two that work with plywood, OSB, and natural products, with another made specifically for your laminate boards.

If you purchase a jigsaw blade independently, it should have at least 20 TPI. Choose a design with a curve-cut edge that can handle the shapes you must install.

The Bosch T101BR is ideal for this work because it cuts when moving downward instead of upward. You’ll get less splintering with that design.

If you shop with other brands, look for a designation in the product code that indicates the blade has reversed teeth. This design will help you curve the cuts consistently with minimal collateral damage.

FAQ About Laminate Flooring Blade

Different installation techniques are found all over the Internet today. How can you tell which one would be best to use in your situation?
These frequently asked questions can provide some clarity if you’re unsure of how to proceed with your current project.

Can you use a reciprocating saw to cut laminate flooring?

Although a reciprocating saw, often called a Sawzall, gives you blades that theoretically cut through laminate boards, it is challenging to get a precise cut with this tool. Even with a brace in place to hold your flooring, the methodology of movement trends toward a rough cut.

If you have no other choice but to use a reciprocating saw, select a blade with the highest tooth count possible for your tool’s brand. Clamp the board firmly, but not to the point where you could damage it. Slowly run the blade through your line to get the cleanest cut possible.

That said, reciprocating saw is an excellent power saw for demolition work where you have to remove old laminate flooring.

Will a Dremel tool cut laminate flooring?

The Dremel EZ544 cutting wheel can cut through laminate flooring with precision. The issue you’ll encounter with this tool involves the thickness of your boards. Most blades in this category can handle half-inch flooring at a maximum.

The best cutting wheels from Dremel feature a mandrel design. You can use the EZ409 and similar blades to get through the flooring material, although they last about half as long.

How can I cut laminate flooring without a saw?

If you don’t have a saw available for your laminate flooring project, a sharp utility knife works well in a pinch. You’ll need to put significant weight into each cut for the blade to get the penetration required for a straight cut. It may take several passes before the board is ready to install.

A sharp blade with the proper saw will make short work of your DIY laminate floor installation. Keep this information in mind as you shop for your tools and supplies to ensure you get the results you want.