The Process of Cutting Linoleum

Tools

• Linoleum can be cut with a good sheet vinyl knife. Choose the highest quality available because the sharpness of the blade is important for creating the straightest edges possible. The higher quality the blade, the sharper and more durable it will be. You will also need a straight edge metal ruler, packing tape, a fine point marker and craft paper.

Pattern

• To determine where the linoleum should be cut, you will first need to create a pattern. A pattern is a life-size paper example of the exact shape of your floor. The pattern will be laid over the linoleum sheeting and the linoleum will be cut along the edge of the pattern. Create the pattern by laying out brown craft paper on the floor. Tape the seams of the craft paper together so that the paper is held together as one large piece on the floor. Cut the edges of the paper to conform with the edges of the room. Cut out 1 inch diamond shapes every few feet and tape the paper to the floor through these diamonds, to keep the paper from sliding.

Practice

• Practice cutting straight edges on a few pieces of scrap linoleum. Lay the straight edge down on the linoleum and place the knife along the straight edge. Depress the knife into the linoleum straight up and down (only bevel if the manufacturer instructions say to do so), and pull downward along the straight edge. You should have at least 10 percent more additional linoleum than what you estimate will cover the floor because you will need to account for practice cuts and mistakes you might make.

Cutting

• Arrange the linoleum as you anticipate it will be placed in the room where you'll be installing it, and lay the pattern down over the arranged linoleum. Draw along the edge of the pattern using a straight edge and fine tip marker. Place the straight edge over the line made by the marker, so the line made by the marker is just beneath the edge of the ruler. Cut along the straight edge.