Question on cutting Armstrong Vinyl Composition Tile
My child’s school has removed a wall from between two classrooms, and now the floor needs to be patched. In both classrooms are Amstrong vinyl composite tiles, and getting some new ones from the home depot — they are almost an exact match! Additionally, even though the rooms were set down independently, the tiles line up perfectly!
So, I’d like to just put a couple of new tiles down to bridge where the wall used to be (floor is concrete, and sound).
My one issue is that, while the rows line up, there is frustratingly onlky about 11 1/2″ space between the tiles, meaning every tile needs to be ripped about 1/2″
I am sure I could cut the tiles with a knife, but there are 18 of these needed, and I don’t think I’d get a precise, clean edge.
My question: can you rip these on a table saw? Will it gum up the blade or create a hazard? Could I stack them and rip the whole stack with a circular saw?
What are the ways to cut these tiles?
This is the tile we are using:
www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xh3/R-100058418/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Thanks for any help!
Replies
I haven't seen those put down in a long time, but I've only ever seen a utility knife used to cut them. I suppose you could use something along the lines of a paper cutter. I'm guessing a saw would make a mess of them, but it can't hurt (much) to try one.
Papercutter! I like that, lol.
I suppose if I use a straight edge and am extra careful I could use a utility knife. I am afraid the material will gum up my saws, but I really want to make sure I cut the to fit correct.
Thanks for the thoughts.
They make heavy-duty paper cutters for this service. You may be able to rent one. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xit/R-100038849/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Also, aviation snips can be used for curves, and one would suspect a sheet-metal shear (like at an HVAC shop) would make good straight cuts.
The stuff's cheap enough that you can experiment a little.
vinyl tiles
Since there aren't many, I would experiment. First cut one with a razor to exact numbers and sand off the rough edge with sandpaper stapled to a flat piece of wood. If this leaves too much gap, then cut next one just a bit wider and try.
As for glue I used to use the one that you have to wait for it to dry to dry-tack. Dry time depends on air conditions but it made the installation fast. Hope it helps.
tile cutting
lay a metal straight edge alone the line to cut and use the utility knife to score the line, then gently bend the tile along the scored line and it will snap cleanly