Undercutting door jambs and casings is the professional standard for a clean, high-quality flooring installation. Instead of trying to cut the vinyl or laminate to fit precisely around the intricate profile of a door frame, which often results in unsightly gaps, you should use an oscillating tool or a jamb saw to undercut the casing at the height of your new flooring plus the underlayment. This allows the planks to slide neatly underneath the frame, creating a seamless and finished look that hides the necessary expansion gap. When undercutting, ensure you have a scrap piece of your flooring and any required underlayment to check for the correct height before cutting. The goal is to provide enough clearance for the floor to slide in easily without leaving a large, noticeable opening. After the planks are slid into place, the gap beneath the casing can be filled with a color-matched silicone or acrylic sealant if needed. This method not only improves the appearance of the installation but also ensures that the floor can move freely underneath the door frame without being pinched, which is vital for the longevity of the locking system.
Key considerations
- undercut door jamb for LVP
- laminate under door casing
- flooring doorway installation
- undercut door jamb
- LVP doorway
- laminate installation