How to cut vinyl flooring around objects

Vinyl flooring is a popular choice in homes due to its low cost, durability, and ease of installation. However, getting the perfect fit for your vinyl floors can be a bit of a struggle, especially when you’ve got obstacles blocking your path.

The last thing you want when rolling out your vinyl sheet flooring is air bubbles beneath the surface, which give your floors an unpleasant look and an uneven feeling under your feet. These often occur when your flooring hasn’t been properly measured, or when the edges of your sheets haven’t been trimmed around the objects in your room effectively.

Our guide will teach you how to cut your vinyl flooring around these obstacles to make sure you get the perfect fit in your room. We’ll cover common objects that will need cutting around, such as toilets and radiator pipes, with handy tips for how to deal with each. Read on to learn how to cut flooring around objects in your home:

What objects tend to get in the way of vinyl flooring?

When you’re laying vinyl flooring, the most likely objects to get in your way will depend on what room you’re flooring. For example, in bathrooms, toilets and sinks are most likely to get in the way of laying your vinyl floors. In living rooms, bedrooms, and other communal areas, you may notice radiator pipes getting in the way of your vinyl.

These are the most common obstacles you’re likely to encounter, but anything screwed or bolted to your floor is likely to cause issues when installing vinyl flooring. 

How to cut vinyl flooring around a toilet or sink

Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for bathrooms due to its durable nature and waterproof options. If you’re looking to install vinyl in your own bathroom, the first thing to do is identify which type of flooring you’ll be using, as the method for installing vinyl sheet flooring is different to installing vinyl planks.

Vinyl sheets

1. Roll your vinyl out as far as possible, stopping at the base of the toilet or sink.
2. Fold your vinyl back over itself, then make a cut from the edge of the fold that runs to the centre of where your toilet or sink’s pedestal will be. You can check how far this cut will have to run using a ruler.
3. Roll the vinyl out fully. Your sheet should now be folded up around the toilet/sink and ready to be cut into shape.
4. Make a series of cuts around where your vinyl has rolled up until it lays flat, making sure you don’t cut too far in, as this will leave gaps in your flooring.
5. Use a straight edge to make a sharp crease in the vinyl around the base of your toilet or sink.
6. Trim around this crease to ensure a smart finish.

Vinyl tiles

1. Install your underlay by measuring the shape of your toilet or sink’s base and cutting the outline from your sheet. Then, cut the remaining underlay in half and position each piece on either side of the base. Tape them into place, and ensure each piece doesn’t overlap.
2. Trace the outline of one of your tiles onto a piece of paper, then cut along your lines using scissors.
3. Lay your paper in the place of a missing tile and secure one side of it to your existing tiles with tape.
4. Press the paper against the base of your toilet or sink and crease it around the edge, using a pencil to mark where the paper meets the object.
5. Cut along the pencil line, then lay the remaining paper on the back side of a tile and trace its outline onto the tile.
6. Cut the vinyl tile along the traced mark and check that it fits in the gap between your existing tiles and your sink/toilet.
7. Remove the paper and install your tile, repeating this process until the area around the object is fully tiled.

How to cut vinyl flooring around radiator pipes

For smaller items like radiator pipes, you can follow a similar routine to ensure a clean fit across your room. Here are some tips on how to cut vinyl flooring around objects that are much smaller than your typical sink or toilet flange:

Vinyl sheets

1. Roll your vinyl out as far as it will go and stop at the base of the pipe.
2. Fold your sheet back over itself and make a cut from the edge to the centre of the pipe.
3. Continue rolling your vinyl out until it fits around the shape of your pipe.
4. Make a series of small cuts to allow your vinyl to conform to its shape.
5. Trim any excess vinyl for a smooth finish

Vinyl tiles

1. Hold a tile against your radiator pipe with one side against your wall, then mark the pipe’s width on your tile.
2. Measure the distance from the edge of the tile to the front of the pipe, and make a mark of this measurement.
3. Drill or cut a hole where your pipe has been marked on the tile, ensuring your gap is big enough to fit the pipe through.
4. Make a single, straight slit from the hole to the edge of your tile.
5. Lay your vinyl tile without any adhesive to make sure it fits around the pipe, then make a series of small cuts around any vinyl that has folded at the base to ensure a tight fit.
6. Finish installing your tile and continue flooring the rest of your room.

Conclusion

You should now be able to cut vinyl flooring around objects, so you can lay your floors more easily in the event of obstructions.

For more advice, you can read our guide to vinyl flooring to see why it’s such a popular choice, or learn how to remove vinyl flooring in the event of redecorating.

Looking for the best vinyl floors for your home? Flooring King offers a wide range of options to suit your projects, whether you’re looking for bathroom vinyl, or vinyl for your kitchen. Browse our range today to find the perfect materials for you.