How to Make Angle Cuts in Hardwood Flooring

You need to cut boards at an angle when the walls aren't straight.


When you're installing a hardwood floor, you come across situations in which you have to crosscut boards and others in which you have to rip them, and most of these cuts are straight. The need for angled cuts arises usually because the walls aren't straight or you have to install around a feature, such as a fireplace. Making an angled crosscut is straightforward enough, but ripping a flooring board at an angle is another matter. The safest way to do it, after making sure the board is securely clamped to a workbench, is with a circular saw.


Measure the angle you need to cut with an angle finder, also known as a bevel. Place the body of the tool against the last board you installed, adjust the blade against the angled wall and tighten the nut.


Transfer the tool to the board you're going to cut and draw a line along the board with a pencil. Extend the line as needed along the length of the board with a straightedge. Draw this cut line on the back of the board so you can cut from the back to minimize tear-out.


Place a piece of scrap plywood that is longer than the board you're cutting on a workbench and set the board face-down on top of it. Move the plywood and board to the edge of the bench and clamp them with C-clamps. Position the clamps near the middle and end of the board opposite the one you are cutting so they won't interfere with the saw.


Set the depth of the circular saw's blade to the thickness of the flooring material, plus about 1/8 inch. Cut through the line with the blade aligned so that the kerf, which is the portion of the board that the blade removes, is on the off-cut side.


Rip lengthwise angles, such as you need when installing the last row against a wall that isn't straight, with a circular saw. Place the board face-down on scrap plywood and position a clamp at one end and near the center of the board to hold it. Begin cutting at the other end. When the saw reaches the middle clamp, stop sawing and reposition the clamp behind the saw. Continue sawing until the saw reaches the end clamp, then reposition that clamp behind the saw to finish the cut.

Things You Will Need

  • Angle finder
  • Pencil
  • Straightedge
  • Scrap plywood
  • C-clamps
  • Circular saw


  • If the edges and ends of hardwood flooring are hidden under baseboards, your cuts don't have to be perfect. Use more care for butt joints and transitions that will be visible.


  • Wear eye protection when cutting flooring with a circular saw and keep your hands away from the blade.
  • Never make freehand cuts with a table saw. If the wood tilts while you're pushing it through, it can bind against the blade and kick back.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
Suggest a Correction