How to Cut Paneling

It is rare to find paneling that fits perfectly. I usually have to adjust the size of the paneling by cutting it. Fortunately, this job is simple and does not require specialized tools and skills. 

How Do You Cut Paneling?

One can cut paneling with a handsaw or power tools like jigsaws, circular saws, table saws, miter saws, and even utility knives. Panels must face opposite the cutting direction of the saw, using sharp, fine-toothed blades to perform clean, straight cuts and avoid splintering.

Step 1: Select An Appropriate Tool

The first step is to choose an appropriate tool to cut the paneling. Fortunately, a diverse variety of tools are suitable for cutting paneling, including: 

• Utility knives
• Hand saws
• Circular saws
• Table saws
• Jig saw
• Miter saws

Tools	Cutting Direction
Circular Saw	Upward
Table Saw	Downward
Miter Saw	Downward
Jig Saw	Downward
Hand Saw	Downward
Utility Knife	For making scored lines

The optimal tool for the job will depend on the type of paneling, the thickness of the panel boards, and the length and angle of the required cut. 

In most cases, hand tools are sufficient for cutting paneling because the panel boards tend to be thin by design. Hand tools like utility knives and small handsaws used in cutting plywood also make it easier to cut the paneling without splintering it. 

Power saws work quickly and with minimal effort. The disadvantage is that power tools have the potential to cut untidily if wielded incautiously. 

If you plan to cut paneling with a saw rather, it is critical to select one with a fine-toothed blade. The small, densely-arranged teeth on fine-toothed saws make it significantly easier to cut cleanly and avoid splintering. Cutting paneling with a rough-toothed saw (with a low ‘Teeth Per Inch’ ratio) is likely to result in a messy cut.

Make sure the tool blade is sharp! Sharp saw and knife blades make cleaner cuts and minimize the time and effort required to cut panel pieces.

Step 2: Measure And Mark The Paneling

Use a tape measure or ruler and take the necessary measurements so the paneling is the correct size.

After measuring the paneling, mark the board with a pencil, marker pen, or blade. 

Step 3: Provide Flat Cutting Surface 

Ideally, the paneling should rest on a flat, smooth surface to prevent it from vibrating while making cuts. 

Step 4: Position The Panel For Cutting 

For the cleanest cut, it is essential to orient the paneling correctly. 

The rule is that the front side of the panel piece must face toward the direction of the blade’s cutting motion. 

For example, if the saw blade cuts upward (clockwise), the paneling should face downward. Conversely, if the saw blade has a downward (anti-clockwise) cutting motion, the paneling must face upward.

Step 5: Stabilize Paneling

It is crucial to ensure the paneling is stable and does not shift or wobble during the cutting process.  

If you are cutting with hand-held tools, it is advisable to stabilize the paneling by clamping it securely to the work surface. 

Step 6: Make A Scoring Line 

Scoring the paneling with a utility knife facilitates a clean and neat cut, though this preparatory step is not essential.

Making a scoring line or groove is particularly beneficial when cutting laminated paneling, as the laminate layer is especially prone to splintering.

Sticking adhesive tape along the side of the cut line is optional but advantageous when cutting wood paneling. The tape will reduce the risk of splintering or chipping. 

Step 7: Consider Using A Guideboard

When cutting paneling with hand-held saws and cutting tools, it is highly advisable to use a guideboard to ensure a perfectly straight cut. 

You can perform the job without a guideboard, but it is worth using one if practically feasible. This accessory stabilizes and aligns the blade as it moves, allowing you to cut the paneling with control and precision. 

Specialized guideboard tools are ideal but not essential for cutting paneling. You can also use a straight, smooth piece of scrap timber as an improvised alternative.

Step 8: Make The Cut

Now is the time to get down to business.

The specific technique for making the cut depends on the tool you use. Nonetheless, the goal is always to cut the paneling as straight and neat as possible, so it is critical to work slowly and carefully!  

Cutting in a patient and controlled manner is especially crucial when using power saws.

When cutting wood paneling with a utility knife, make several passes with the blade (in the same direction and guided by a ruler) until a groove forms. Using a ruler or guideboard is critical. Flip the panel over and repeat the process. Once the grooves are ready, you can snap off the piece of paneling along the length of the cut.

Step 9: Sand The Edges Of The Cut

Lastly, create a neat finish by smoothing the edges of the cut with fine sandpaper (P220 or P320 grit rating). 

Additional Information About Tools For Cutting Paneling

For those who might be interested, here is some further information about the tools mentioned earlier, including practical tips for how to use them to cut paneling.

Circular Saw

Circular saws cut paneling quickly and easily. Cutting laminate flooring using a circular saw is also possible. Their blades move in an upward direction, so your material must be positioned facing downward.

A circular saw is preferable if one needs to cut wood paneling against the grain, though this tool can also perform rip cuts (along the grain).

There are specialized blades available for circular saws. These are paneling blades and have smaller, more finely-arranged teeth than general-purpose versions, enabling one to cut paneling more precisely and neatly.

When using handheld and cordless circular saws, secure the panels with clamps for stability. It is also advisable to use a guideboard to ensure a straight cut.

Table Saw

Table saws are suited for making straight cuts along the grain (rip cutting) of wood paneling. The blades of table saws cut downward, so the front of the paneling should be oriented in an upward direction.

In addition, the tool’s fence (an in-built guideboard component) facilitates a straight cut. 

Miter Saw

The best miter saws cut through paneling with minimal effort. The blade of a miter saw cuts in a downward direction. 

Miter saws make short, straight cuts at multiple angles (allowing cross-grain and rip-cutting). If you’re a novice but want to use this power tool, there are miter saws perfect for beginners.

Due to their design, miter saws are excellent for finicky adjustments to panel corners, for instance, when cutting paneling for walls adjacent to staircases. You can also cut 45-degree angle with a miter saw.

Note, however, that the length of each cut is limited to the width of the miter saw blade. This limitation means, for instance, that one cannot cut paneling along its length or breadth.

Jigsaw

Table-mounted and handheld cordless jigsaws enable precise cutting as they have smaller blades and less powerful motors than the power saws described above. Jigsaw also cuts plexiglass efficiently because its blades cut downward.

While jigsaws provide precision, they are intended for making irregular rather than straight cuts. If using a handheld jig saw, it is essential to clamp the paneling and direct the blade along a guide board so the cuts are straight! 

Hand Saw

One can also use hand saws to cut through paneling pieces. It goes without saying that hand saw blades cut in a downward direction. 

While almost any hand saw will work for cutting paneling (especially if made from wood and PVC), certain types of hand saws work more effectively for specific scenarios. 

Panel saws are generally the best option for cutting wood paneling because their blades have fine, evenly- fine-toothed blades. 

With wood paneling, one should select a cross-cut or rip-cut hand saw depending on the direction of the grain relative to the intended cut. 

It is also wise to select smaller hand saws for thin, light paneling, or if precision cutting is required. Large hand saws are naturally a more effective tool choice for cutting thicker, denser wooden paneling. 

Utility Knife

Utility knives work particularly well for cutting thin layers of PVC paneling. You can also use them to cut through wood panels. 

Utility knives are ideal for making scored lines in wood and PVC paneling before cutting with hand saws.

Conclusion

Paneling tends to be relatively thin, so one can use an array of power and hand tools to cut it, ranging from circular saws to utility knives. Orienting the paneling facing opposite the cutting direction of the blade and using sharp, fine-toothed saw blades are essential for achieving clean, straight cuts.