How to Reuse Closet Flooring Planks: Remove and Swap

2026-10-23 · guides

To reuse closet flooring planks, remove the closet trim, unclick the planks one row at a time starting at the back wall, and label each plank as it comes out. The salvaged planks then replace damaged boards in the main room, and the closet is refilled with a close substitute that few people will see. This is often the most reliable way to repair a discontinued floor with an exact match.

Tools and materials

• Pry bar, putty knife and a hammer
• Utility knife, painter’s tape and a marker
• Tapping block, pull bar and rubber mallet
• Tape measure
• Replacement flooring for the closet, matched in thickness if possible
• T-molding or another transition strip for the closet doorway
• Knee pads and a work light

Step 1: Check that the closet floor is continuous

Look at the closet doorway. If the flooring runs through without a transition strip, the closet planks are locked to the main floor, which is common. Plan to cut the floor at the doorway so the closet can be removed without disturbing the room. If there is already a strip, the closet can be lifted on its own.

Step 2: Empty the closet and remove trim

Take out shelving that rests on the floor. Remove the baseboard or quarter-round with a pry bar, using a putty knife against the wall to protect the drywall. Mark the back of each trim piece so it goes back in place.

Step 3: Cut the floor at the doorway

Mark a straight line across the closet opening, centered under where the door will close. Score and cut the planks along this line with an oscillating tool or a circular saw set to the plank depth. Leave room for the track of a T-molding, typically a gap of about 1/2 inch or the width specified by the molding.

Step 4: Unclick and label the planks

Start at the back wall

Begin with the row along the back wall, which was usually the last row installed in that area. Lift the long edge to an angle and release the joint, then slide the short ends apart rather than bending them upward.

Protect the locking edges

Wrap or tape over the tongues and grooves of salvaged planks and stack them flat. Write the row and position on the back. Full-length planks with intact joints are the most valuable; short cut ends are useful for repairs near walls.

Step 5: Use the planks in the main room

Replace damaged boards with the salvaged planks, choosing ones with similar wear and fading. Closet planks have seen less sunlight and traffic, so they can look slightly newer. Placing them first in shaded spots helps them blend. The steps for the repair itself are in how to replace a damaged vinyl plank and how to repair a chipped laminate plank.

Step 6: Refill the closet

Install the substitute flooring in the closet, keeping an expansion gap at the walls. Choose a product with a similar thickness so the transition strip sits level. Fit the T-molding in the doorway, then reinstall the trim.

Tips and common mistakes

• Do not pry planks up from the face. That cracks the locking lip and wastes the plank.
• Check that the closet floor is the same product before starting. Some installers used leftover boxes from a different lot.
• Other low-visibility sources include under a refrigerator, washer and dryer, or a large built-in bookcase.
• Keep two or three spare planks after the repair for future damage.

If the closet does not provide enough, see finding discontinued TrafficMaster flooring for leftover-stock sources.

Frequently asked questions

Can I remove closet flooring without damaging the main floor?

Yes, by cutting cleanly across the doorway before unclicking. The cut edge is then covered by a T-molding, and the main floor stays intact.

What should I put in the closet after removing the planks?

Any compatible floor of similar thickness works, such as a close-color laminate or vinyl plank. Because the closet is separated by a transition, the replacement does not need to lock to the original.

Do closet planks match the rest of the floor?

They are the same product, but they may be less faded or worn. Comparing them in daylight before installation helps decide where each plank goes.

Photo: drooooo, CC BY (CC BY 2.0 license), via Openverse.

More how-to guides: See all of our discontinued flooring how-to guides.

#discontinued-flooring #laminate-matching #laminate-repair