Showerthought: My vinyl plank bathroom win felt awesome!
I just finished a bathroom job with vinyl plank flooring, and it turned out so well! The room had a tricky layout with a tub and toilet, making cuts a real headache. For a while, I was fumbling with the pieces, trying to get them to fit right. Then I recalled using a paper template from a past project. I traced the shapes, cut the template, and transferred it to the plank. It slid into place like a dream! The whole floor looks perfect now, and the homeowner's smile made my day. Moments like this remind me why I love this work. Sharing in case it helps anyone else with tight spaces!
Three times last year, I tried paper templates for vinyl plank cuts in bathrooms. Each time, the paper would shift or the lines got blurry during tracing. That led to cuts that were just a bit off, leaving gaps near the fixtures. I now use a contour gauge for those shapes, and it gives a perfect fit every time. It copies the exact shape without any guesswork. Your method might work for some, but I've had better luck with this tool.
Hear you loud and clear on ditching paper templates. I wasted a whole weekend on a bathroom job because the paper kept moving and my marks smudged. Grabbed a contour gauge on a whim and it changed everything. It locks the shape in place so you can trace it right onto the plank. No more guessing or gap filling for me.
What's your secret for keeping the paper template from moving when you trace it? I'm curious if you use a certain type of paper or a trick to hold it in place, since others here had real trouble with it shifting.