Full
Spread Vinyl - Cutting the Vinyl
Margin
of Error: Exact
Most Common
Mistakes
- Laying
out the template on the wrong side, thereby cutting the floor
backwards.
- Not lining
up the template seam line with a pattern (grout) line on the
flooring material.
Unroll the
new flooring face up on a clean, smooth surface. (Otherwise, small
stones or dirt can become imbedded in the back, eventually wearing
through or tearing the new floor.) The basement, garage, attic,
or driveway is probably the best place for this. However, if working
outside, don’t expose the vinyl to direct sunlight.
Overlap the vinyl pieces where the seams will fall.
Check the two sections for pattern match all along the overlap
and at each corner of the pattern. If you are working with a strongly
pronounced design that calls for a perfect match, keep both pieces
running in the direction they came off the roll.
Tape the two
vinyl sections firmly together after they are matched so they
won’t move when you cut them. You will double cut straight through
overlapped edges of the two pieces so they fit together perfectly.
Getting a good-looking seam is not difficult if you make your
cut in a simulated grout line or other pattern feature that can
serve as camouflage. Be sure to keep a sharp blade in the utility
knife. (You may want to practice before trying the cut on the
flooring.)
After you
have made your cut, double check the pattern match before continuing.
Then tape the seam together.
Compensate on both sides for any out-of-line walls
by shifting the template in a direction that will split the difference
of the error. Lay out your paper pattern or template over the
flooring material so that the seam now falls in a low-traffic
or low-visibility part of the room. Be sure that you are not positioning
the template upside down and that you are cutting the flooring
as you want it. If possible, avoid positioning a line in the vinyl
pattern too close to the out-of-line wall.
Once you have
the template situated where you want it, tape it to the vinyl
through the triangular slits just like you taped it to the old
floor.
Note: Remember
to transfer the 1” back onto the floor where a roller or 1” marking
guide was used. Use great care where an exact transfer connects
to the inch-wide marking guide points.
The ball point pen lines
are easily removed with a soft cloth and mild detergent.
Use a notched
blade knife or a utility knife to trim the vinyl. Many kits include
a notched blade knife, In any case, always make sure the blade
is as sharp as possible. Cut very carefully and true along your
line for a precise fit.
Once the floor
has been cut out, roll the floor up with the pattern showing on
the outside and the narrow protruding areas on the outside end
of the roll.
Tip: Use
the 3-4-5 triangle technique to check that your lines are perfectly
square.
