How to Cut Angles by Bay Windows for Laying Laminate Flooring

Determine the bay-window alcove's side angles by placing a bevel square's handle or body section against the flat surface at the base of the wall adjacent to the bay window, and then rotating the bevel square's blade until it's flat against the bay window side wall. Tighten the blade screw on the bevel square to lock the angle setting for use in marking all of the plank cuts.

Align the blade of the bevel square with a protractor to determine the angle set in Step 1.

Measure the beginning cut point on the first laminate flooring plank to be installed in the bay window alcove and mark the cutline on the plank's surface. Be sure to include the end-joint notch needed for the adjoining plank and allow for the typical wall spacing specified by the flooring manufacturer.

Cut the first plank to the angle marked using a miter saw, circular saw or jig saw, and then install the plank into place using the attachment method for the flooring. Use a tapping block and hammer to tighten the flooring joints as necessary.

Install the next full flooring planks or measure the plank length needed from the previous end joint to the angle cut point, whichever is appropriate.

Lay out the cut angle and plank length for the next piece and mark the cutline on the plank's surface. For the bay window wall angle on the opposite side, simply reverse the bevel square to mark the angle. Cut the plank's length and end angle using a miter saw, circular saw or jig saw, and then install the plank into place using the attachment method for the flooring. Use a tapping block and hammer to tighten the flooring joints as necessary.

Mark the side wall angle on the starting plank of the next row of laminate flooring boards using the bevel square setting. Cut the plank and install it in place, and then install the rest of the row of planks, cutting the end plank with the angle determined in Step 1.

Repeat Step 7 to complete the flooring planks within the bay window alcove.