Porcelain roofing tile is a springy and beautiful increase to your home . It is sanitary , watertight , and easy to make clean , while proffer a expression that ’s both traditional and modern . But it ’s also porcelain — a ceramic that can be slight under certain circumstances — so anyone consider this option must learnhow to cut porcelain tile .
The panorama of cutting porcelain into bit understandably makes some do - it - yourselfers a bit skittish . And unless you happen to construct your home to such proportions as to require no cutting off of roofing tile to fit into corners , along drain board , or around outlets and pipes , you ’re credibly going to have to get comfortable with it .
as luck would have it , we have you cover . In this clause , we ’ll face at the tools , practice , and concern you should bed about before you cut porcelain tile for the first time .
Learn About Your Porcelain Tiles
You should start by learning everything you may about theporcelainyou contrive to use . Is your ceramic tile glaze or unglazed ? There are unlike degree of rigourousness — and different break strengths — to take into thoughtfulness . The more you live about your tile , the serious you may take the right putz to cut it .
Here ’s one idea to abandon right away : cutting porcelain tile the direction you would ignore anything else . Your standard rotor coil prick wo n’t do it . You might be able to utilise a reciprocating saw , but you ’ll burn through a few blades . The expert news is that one well - opt roofing tile cutting tool could last you for the rest of all your home improvement projects , ever .
Cut Porcelain Tile Using a Wet Saw
Let ’s start with the tools . Awet sawis the diligence monetary standard for cut tile . The manual tile stonecutter has a diamond blade so , as you’re able to imagine , it ’s pretty intemperately . There are a few tradeoffs : Wet saw are n’t gaudy , they can be slow , and you ca n’t put adhesive on the roofing tile until it has dry out . As a bonus , however , you will be able to use it to abridge granite , should your next base advance projection postulate that .
Awet sawdoes use water , as its name implies ; there ’s a shallow well of water beneath the sword , and the bottom bound of the blade passes through the water as it rotate . That keeps the blade cool and thin the amount of rubble your cutting project sound off up . Its blade is astationary rotor , something like the leaf blade of a board sawing machine . You simply maneuver the tile toward the sword . If you do n’t need to invest in a pie-eyed saw , you may always rent one .
Mostscore - and - snap tile cuttersfollow the same basic rationale : You suit the roofing tile into a cutting bed ( sometimes with guides that help keep your cut directly ) , and then press or pull a rotating blade across the roofing tile ’s glaze , to score it . After scoring the roofing tile , you transgress it with a gentle strike . The tile bed is padded to help the roofing tile break evenly and to ensure the roofing tile does n’t move while you score it .
Some cutters have a lever tumbler that facilitate you get coherent , even pressure for the break . With other cutters , you ’re on your own . You might be capable to use a scroll saw with a carbide - grit blade , but keep in mind that porcelain is really secure clobber . If you use a jigsaw , you ’ll probably have to exchange the sword several times in the course of the undertaking .
Other Proper Tools You’ll Need to Cut Porcelain Tiles
You ’ll also need :
at long last , if you ’re using the pissed saw to make diagonal cuts ( and if you want to make diagonal cuts , you should be using a soused power saw ) , you ’ll involve a triangular attachment for the adage .
Alternatively , you may use a tile nipper , which is a helping hand tool used for work irregular deletion or for cut pocket-sized nick in porcelain tiles . This tool is peculiarly useful when you require to cut a tile to equip around irregular shapes , such as pipes or corners that ca n’t be accommodated with full-strength cut made by a roofing tile cutter .
Best Practices for Cutting Ceramic Tiles
If this is your first time , you might desire to be on the safe side : Buy a minuscule more tile than you think you ’ll postulate . ( If you do n’t wind up using it , you may frame the additional tile with wood and turn them into coaster or trivets that match the decor . )
First , let ’s look at the best method of grudge - and - snap roofing tile thinning , which is the easiest and firm way to handle consecutive cut . Mark the cutting on the roofing tile , of line . Then locate it in the cutter , and — calculate on the model — push or pull the diamond brand over the tile .
Trouble-Shooting Manual Tile Cutter Issues
citizenry prevail into problems with roofing tile cutters when the cuts become temperamental , leading to scratchy border and chip tile . you could prevent this in a few path . First , ensure the coalition of the cutter sporadically can help you avoid break away .
secondly , apply a paintbrush to lead a bank line of light oil along your planned cold shoulder , as that will help the blade score the roofing tile smoothly [ origin : Byrne ] . Just remember that the fossil oil can keep your adhesive from stick , so wipe off all the tiles before lay them .
Making L-Cuts or Diagonals With a Manual Tile Cutter
To make L - cuts or virgule , you ’ll need to apply a wet sawing machine . Mark the aforethought cut on the tile carefully with a ruler and a grease pencil . The proverb has a pathfinder call in a rip fencing , which helps you measure and neaten your cutting . See the scale of measurement at each end ? Use them to help you line up the roofing tile .
Now that you ’ve adjust the roofing tile with the rip fence , turn on the power saw . manoeuver the roofing tile lightly and cautiously toward the steel . Do n’t force heavily , and do n’t keep move the tile once the sword has crystallize it . After you ’ve made the track , turn off the saw and take the roofing tile out .
Take a feel at the cut you ’ve made . Is it clear ? heavy . If there are chips , you could shine the snub out with a 2d flip from the saw .
Dealing With Scorch Marks on Porcelain Tile
One DIY expert notes that you may see some light scorch marks on the cut edge of the roofing tile . ( Even a fuddled saw create a destiny of detrition when it go on through porcelain . ) Fortunately , grout normally covers that form of scar [ source : Staggs ] .
As you might imagine , if a blade can impart sunburn marks even when it ’s passing through a cooling pan of body of water , it ’s journey pretty tight , and that can be dangerous . Do n’t even think of commence your project before you ’ve read the next page , where we look at safety tips for geld porcelain .
Safety Concerns When Cutting Porcelain
Any blade that can cut porcelain has the potential to cut you . Do n’t ever give a tile - reduce labor less than your full attention .
With rotor coil tools , a rapidly spin blade bit into whatever you ’re cutting . It does n’t just slit , it tears . That ’s what creates the cloud of dust and particle around the tool . You must protect your eyes with guard glasses every clock time you expend a rotor coil shaft . If you do n’t think it ’s a job , imagine convey something in your optic and then having to grope around blindly to shut off a very sharp electronic leaf blade .
The cutting wheel make a fate of friction when it cuts , and that rubbing bring out heat . Be careful handling and change blades . You might need to keep a pair ofheavy gloveshandy to prevent nicks and burns .
Know How to Use the Manual Tile Cutter
One hazard of renting a wet byword is the unfamiliarity of the tool . You do n’t want to be hesitant or uncertain when you ’re dealing with a swelled rotor tool . For one matter , uncertainty can show in the cut of the final undertaking . Furthermore , if a trouble occurs , you desire to have sex immediately how to shut off the byword . Take the time to get to know your rental .
You do n’t need to hire in a trial by flack , so do n’t practice on your expensive , custom - matched tiles . call for your tile supplier if they have a few remnants , discontinued tile , or other piece you’re able to practice on . to boot , you may need to make adjustments in the mode you ’re cutting , moving the template on the wet saw . Unplug the saw before you do that .
Properly abbreviate and installed , porcelain tile is a lasting investment in the beauty , functionality , andvalue of your home . Cutting it may be a challenge , but it ’s one worth attempting .
This article was updated in conjunction with AI engineering , then fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .
