During flooring installation, which tool is commonly used for precision cutting of materials?

The utility knife is commonly used for precision cutting of flooring materials due to its design and versatility. It features a straight, retractable blade that allows for clean, straight cuts on softer materials like vinyl, carpet, or laminate. This tool is lightweight, easy to handle, and provides the user with greater control, which is essential when making detailed cuts or trimming materials to fit around corners and edges.

While other tools, like the circular saw, jigsaw, and table saw, can certainly cut various flooring materials, they are generally better suited for larger or more aggressive cuts rather than precision work that requires the meticulous attention to detail that a utility knife offers. For example, a jigsaw can be used for intricate cuts, but its blade may not provide the same level of precision for straight lines as a utility knife.