When working with laminate flooring, ensuring smooth and clean cuts is crucial, and I’ve found that achieving this comes down to using the right saw and blades. Having encountered many options, all professing to excel at cutting laminate, navigating through them can be challenging due to the prevalence of misleading claims.
Drawing from my extensive experience and rigorous testing, I have meticulously evaluated various tools, ultimately identifying a select seven that genuinely stands out in delivering impeccable cuts on laminate flooring.
Reviews of the Top Saw Blades for Laminate Flooring
1. Freud LU79R010
The thin kerf on the Freud LU79R010 laminate flooring blade is designed to minimize chipping. Laser-cut anti-vibration slots outperform standard saw blades every time. And with high-density carbide tips, I’ve found they maintain their sharpness much longer. Having spent considerable time in woodworking, I personally deem this to be the ideal saw blade, not just for laminate flooring, but for a diverse range of materials.
The thin kerf blade is also endowed with Freud’s Parma-shield coating, which prevents the blade from burning up and reduces heat build-up and friction while in use. Just slip this blade onto your circular saws to start cutting laminate flooring with smooth finishes.
What I Like
- The laser-cut anti-vibration slots significantly reduce noise and enhance accuracy during cuts.
- The high-density carbide-tipped blade ensures longevity and consistent performance over time.
- The sharp teeth effortlessly slice through materials, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.
- Its overall high quality speaks to meticulous craftsmanship and design.
- The Hi-ATB design contributes to smoother cuts and cleaner finishes.
- The Perma-shield coating provides an additional layer of protection against wear and corrosion.
- The impeccable finish results in less post-cut work and refinement.
- The thin kerf allows for minimal material waste, maximizing efficiency.
What I Don't Like
- The packaging, unfortunately, doesn't match the blade's quality, sometimes risking damage during transit.
- An unusually high number of teeth for its smaller size can occasionally affect the desired cutting speed.
2. Festool 496309
It costs more, but the Festool 496309 is a very long-lasting choice for cutting laminate flooring. There are 48 teeth in total, a kerf of only 26mm and an oversized arbor. The arbor allows for a more secure fastening onto circular saws and it also works to reduce vibrations.
The blade is very stable during operation and can cut through materials with precision. Laminates and other surface materials are no match for the thin kerfs that power through without resistance.
Lastly, there are laser cut expansion slots on these saw blades that make sure they are accurate and quiet.
What I Like
- The laser-cut expansion slots, which greatly enhance blade stability during operation.
- The notable longevity of this saw blade when cutting laminates, ensuring more bang for your buck.
- The thin kerf, which allows for more precise cuts with minimal waste.
- An oversized arbor, providing better stability and reducing vibrations.
- The triple-chip flat tooth design, a standout feature that consistently delivers clean cuts.
- The final outcome always being of a high-quality smooth finish, minimizing additional refining work.
- Its quiet operation, a real boon in maintaining a peaceful workspace.
What I Don't Like
- Higher Festool price which might not appeal to everyone.
- It's not my top pick when working with melamine, as there are better-suited options out there.
3. BOSCH T503
You can also use a jigsaw to cut laminate flooring, so I made sure to include jigsaw blades. The BOSCH T503 is the best you can get out there and is guaranteed to be the best saw blade for laminate flooring if you’re making curved cuts. The bi-metal blades are optimized for laminate as well as hardwood flooring.
The T503 jigsaw blades were specially designed to get through laminates while still delivering clean cuts. They are faster and they last longer compared to other blades, which makes them great value for their money. Not to mention, they come at a very affordable price.
What I Like
- It's designed for precise cuts, ensuring accuracy every time.
- The 3-piece set offers versatility for various applications.
- The very budget-friendly price is a pleasant surprise, especially given its performance.
- The bi-metal construction promises both durability and flexibility.
- Its excellent quality speaks volumes about its manufacturing.
- The T-shank type provides a solid grip and compatibility with many tools.
- It's adept at both curved and straight cuts, adding to its versatility.
- The fact that it fits most jigsaws makes it a go-to for many of my projects.
What I Don't Like
- The jigsaw blade is somewhat wide for my preference, which can impact certain precision cuts.
- There's a susceptibility for it to bend under extreme pressure, so handling with care is paramount.
4. Makita A-93681
The Makita A-93681 is the best miter saw blade for getting through laminates. The micro-grain carbide-tipped saw blade has a 600 grit, which produces a mirrored finish. This Makita laminate saw blade also is made from hardened steel, and you don’t get much more durable than that unless you’re going for a diamond blade.
The saw also has an extra-thin kerf at barely 1mm, which is great for fine crosscutting and works on hardwood, softwood, and even plywood. The A-93681 has an 80 tooth count which is very high, promising a smooth finish.
What I Like
- The micro-grain carbide tips offer impeccable sharpness and longevity.
- It delivers a very smooth finish, which often reduces post-cut work.
- I appreciate the durable hardened steel construction, which promises long-term resilience.
- With a 600 grit, it's well-calibrated for detailed work.
- It's particularly adept for fine crosscutting, a trait I value in precision projects.
- The micro polished surface enhances its overall performance and aesthetic.
What I Don't Like
- It seems to shine more for laminate trim rather than broader applications.
- It doesn't fare as well on thick boards, so choosing accordingly is crucial.
5. DeWalt DW3712H
In concluding our list, I must mention another exceptional set of jigsaw blades I frequently use. Crafted from high-carbon steel, these blades are precisely optimized to proficiently cut through laminate floors and a versatile range of materials, including various types of wood. Speaking from expertise, their performance and adaptability make them a noteworthy choice for diverse cutting requirements.
The teeth are all precision ground to be sharper and to last longer. The saw blades are the perfect tool for workaround cuts that still end up with a fine finish. There are deeper gullets between the teeth which makes these the best jigsaw blades to get through material even faster.
The DeWalt DW3712H works not only with Dewalt jigsaws but universal shank designs as well.
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What I Like
- It's particularly adept at handling laminate material, which speaks to its specificity and performance.
- The deeper gullets significantly improve chip removal.
- Its precision-ground teeth ensure consistent, sharp cuts.
- The use of high-carbon steel affirms its durability and resilience.
- With 10 TPI (teeth per inch), it strikes a balance between speed and finish.
- Its compatibility with universal shank jigsaws adds to its versatility.
- The overall high quality is evident in its performance and lifespan.
What I Don't Like
- It doesn't quite fit all jigsaw brands, so checking compatibility is essential.
- As with most tools, it will wear out over time, but with proper care, its life can be extended.
Saw Blades for Laminate Flooring Buyer’s Guide
From my hands-on experience, it’s clear that laminate has a knack for dulling even the finest blades. So, when I invest in a saw blade, I ensure it’s equipped to withstand the rigors of cutting laminate for an extended period. Let me share with you some tips my team and I have put together to help guide you in making the right choice.
Saw Type
As previously mentioned, there are several types of saw blades available for cutting laminate flooring. Your task is to find the saw blade that best meets your specific requirements.
Table Saw
You might’ve picked up on the fact that many of the blades I’ve recommended are, or bear a strong resemblance to, circular saw blades. And there’s a good reason for that. Not only do these blades fit seamlessly into table saws—a tool I often rely on—but there’s a distinct advantage with table saws. Instead of maneuvering the power tool over the material, I simply guide the material through the tool. This approach, in my experience, consistently offers a more precise and stable cut.
It is the best saw to cut laminate flooring with or against the grain and end up with smooth finishes with either. A table saw is also excellent for ripping materials.
Circular Saw
A circular saw is the next most popular power tool for cutting laminate flooring. The blade for a circular saw and a miter saw is very similar, which is why they produce cuts that look very alike. Circular saws are great because they tend to be more portable than a table saw or miter saw, but it takes more work to get exact cuts without a guide or fence.
The circular blade is not recommended for rip cuts. If you need to make a lot of those cuts on your laminate material, then go for a table saw. A blade with carbide [1] teeth will hold up longer, so I recommend looking for those.
Jigsaw
Shifting my focus from the circular saw blade design, I’ve often turned to the jigsaw. In my professional opinion, for intricate and detailed cuts—whether it’s on laminate flooring or wood—the jigsaw truly shines. Its vertical blade design works wonders for both curved and straight cuts, making it an indispensable tool in my toolkit.
The optimal jigsaw blade for cutting laminate should also adeptly manage crosscuts. Regardless of the type of cut you’re aiming for, I’d recommend that you opt for blades with carbide teeth. They tend to last significantly longer, ensuring you get more value from your investment.
Miter Saw
We finish off with the miter saw, which has similar blades to the circular saw blade. Miter saws are recommended for angled cuts or cross cuts. Should you go for a table saw or a miter saw? I recommend table saws for straight cuts and miter saws for angled ones.
Size and Compatibility
After you have determined the right type of saw to use, your next step is to triple-check if the saw blade is compatible with your tool. It’s not just about having sharp teeth, but the blade diameter matters as well.
How do you know if a blade will fit your saw? You have to look at the arbor size. The arbor size is the size of the hole in the middle of the blade, where the fastening happens. Some blades have a larger one and others have smaller ones that may not fit your saw.
If you are not going for a brand-specific saw blade, which is clearly outlined by the company as to which saws they work with, then you have to take down the measurement yourself to be sure.
As I said, a circular saw blade and a miter saw blade are often interchangeable, but that doesn’t mean they all work. Double-check to see if the circular blades you choose can be used on both tools.
Then comes the size of the blade, which is outlined in every product description. The measurements are for the saw blade rather than the entire power tool. If you’re looking at a circular saw blade, you will have a choice of a variety of sizes from 6.5 to 12 inches.
Miter saws use a larger blade that is usually around 10 to 12 inches in diameter. Selecting between a 10-inch and 12-inch miter saw can be perplexing, and you may believe that it doesn’t matter because the difference is only two inches. But it actually does. It’s important to get the right size saw blade for your tools when cutting laminate.
Let’s take a closer look at the standard arbor hole sizes for a saw blade. Since this is about laminate blades, they usually come in a minimum of 6 inches in diameter, which makes the arbor hole around 0.5 inches. The common 7-¼ blade all the way up to 10 inches has a ⅝-inch arbor hole and the larger 12-inch blade has a 1-inch arbor.
TPI and Kerf
The kerf of a blade is basically how thick the cutting edge is. For laminate, I suggest looking for very thin kerfs. This way, you will get a finer finish and reduce chipping. The kerf size will vary for other materials such as plywood or fiber cement, but thin is the way to go for lamination.
The TPI, or teeth per inch, is also a very important consideration on a saw blade for cutting laminate. The best saw blade for laminate flooring will have a higher number of teeth than ones meant for wood. A plywood blade can be compared to laminate flooring blades because they also have a high number of teeth per inch.
When it comes to fine cutting tasks, I’d personally suggest a blade with anywhere between 80 to 100 teeth based on my experience. However, if you’re dealing with older laminate flooring that demands potent rips, going with a lower teeth count is a strategy I’ve found effective. Beyond just the teeth count, the material used in constructing the blade and coating the teeth is paramount. This segues nicely into our next section where I delve deeper into that topic.
Material Quality and Durability
The material of your blade determines whether you can get precise cuts or not, but it also impacts how the blade works. The best saw blade for cutting laminate absorbs noise and vibrations and leaves a clean cutting finish.
The quality of the blade needs to be top-notch. There are extra features such as deeper gullets that can get through more material, expansion slots, and protective coating to protect the blade from wear. All of these features come together to create one very durable blade.
Based on my hands-on experience, I’d vouch for carbide-tipped blades. To be more precise, I’m talking about blades where the teeth are carbide-tipped while the remainder is crafted from durable steel. Pairing this with a high tooth count doesn’t just ensure the blade avoids rough cuts but also retains its sharpness for a more extended period. This translates to superior durability and reduced maintenance needs.
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FAQ
What is the recommended blade teeth count for laminate flooring?
At least 80 blade teeth are recommended for laminate flooring. You need a higher number of teeth for a cleaner and smoother finish while cutting. I recommend anywhere between 80 to 100 to get the job done and avoid any chipping.
Does laminate flooring damage saw blades?
No, laminate flooring does not damage saw blades, but it is contingent on you finding the right ones. Laminate flooring will dull blades and wear them down if they aren’t meant to cut through laminate. Look for carbide tips, at least 80 teeth, and thin kerfs.
Can I use a circular saw to cut laminate flooring?
Yes, you can use a circular saw to cut laminate flooring. In fact, it is one of the most common tools for cutting wood as well as laminate. The important thing is to find high-quality blades with at least 80 teeth and a thin kerf.
My Top Pick For a Saw Blade for Laminate Flooring:
Freud LU79R010
The best saw blades for laminate flooring is the Freud LU79R010. It is an 80-tooth blade with a very thin kerf designed for laminate. There are a ton of features on this blade that other brands do not include, such as Perma-shield coating to reduce friction and heat, laser-cut anti-vibration slots to make sure your cuts are always precise, and a high-density carbide construction.
You've probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
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