The Cutting Hack That Makes Installing Peel-And-Stick Vinyl Flooring A Breeze

If you're looking to update tired flooring and want something that's both budget- and DIY-friendly, then you can change your floor in a flash with peel-and-stick tiles. If you want to cover areas quickly, peel-and-stick vinyl planks are also an option. Their tyles can mimic wood or stone, and both are available in a wide range of colors. Although there are a few disadvantages of waterproof peel-and-stick tiles you'll want to consider, installation is usually simple. You don't need any underlayment – just a smooth, clean floor.

Cutting peel-and-stick vinyl flooring is easy most of the time. It isn't very thick, so all you need is a utility knife and a straight metal edge. For safety, work slowly and don't try to cut all the way through in one go. Using a piece of plywood or similar board to cut on prevents any danger to the floor underneath and reduces the chance of blade breakage. 

It can be challenging to cut tricky shapes around door posts or other obstacles, but the cutting hack that makes this a breeze is to make a template first. You can use leftover backing paper or scrap cardboard, cutting bits out until you have a match. Then use a pencil or pen to trace the shape onto your tile or plank, and carefully cut that out for a near perfect fit.

If you want to make the job of cutting awkward shapes in peel-and-stick vinyl flooring even easier, and you don't mind spending around $25, you can pick up the high-quality Saker Contour Gauge or a similar tool. Simply push it into place, and then lock the sliding fingers for a fast and accurate duplicate of virtually any profile. It couldn't be easier.

If your peel-and-stick vinyl flooring has been installed following the manufacturer's instructions, it could have a life of anywhere from 5 to 25 years. That's about on par with another low-cost option, laminate flooring, but while vinyl is great for wet or humid areas, laminate is not. This makes vinyl well worth the relatively modest investment. Additionally, knowing how to clean a peel-and-stick floor without risking damage will help keep it looking good for as long as possible.

Peel-and-stick vinyl flooring is a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms and can even turn a bare ceiling into a stunning masterpiece. It's affordable and easy to use. With the help of these useful cutting hacks, you should end up with the professional finish you're looking for.