how to cut tiles

Use the vertical edge of the square and a pencil to draw your guideline. First mark the tile, using your measurements, and then cut along the outside of the lines. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. First, measure and mark the tile where you want to make the cut. The outside of the line is the part of the tile you are cutting away. The easiest and neatest method is to buy a 1-1/4 in. People see the professionals work on different types of cutting machines to cut the tile and assume that tile cutting is a hard task.But I assure you that whenever it comes to cutting fewer tiles for home use, you don't need to bother about professional machines.In [â¦] Turn the wet saw on, confirm that water is flowing over the blade, then proceed to make your cut the same way you would cut wood on a table saw. For ceramic tiles, which tend to measure less than 15mm thick, there are a number of options for cutting straight lines, including a tile scorer, a combined scorer and snapper and, when lots of tiles need cutting, a tile-cutting machine As needed, round the top and bottom edges of non-glazed tiles on the cut side to create a smoother appearance. If the tile you want to cut is not glossy, you could use a pencil to draw the lines instead of a permanent marker. Cutting tiles is a task that demands accurate measurements and precise use of tools. A tile-cutting blade on an angle grinder is a quick way to take a notch out of a tile. Begin cutting, turning the tile slightly as you go. Place carefully the tile in the cutter, making sure the ceramic face is upward oriented. Once you start, it â¦ Press strips of painterâs tape across the top of the sheet of tiles and around the â¦ Her work focuses on tutorials and self-help articles. This aspect is important, otherwise you wonât be able to make a clean cut. How to Cut Ceramic Tile That Is Already Installed, How to Cut Porcelain Tile Around a Shower Valve, How to Make Openings in Allure Vinyl Tile, National Tiles: DIY Tiling -- Floor Tiling, How to Cut a Right Angle on Tile Without a Tile Saw. Set your square slightly off your marked line so the glass cutter (or the scoring wheel on the pliers) will hit the right place. Different jobs require different types of cuts. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Hold a straight edge on top of the tile lined up with the marks you made earlier. Place the tile on a stable, flat cutting â¦ ceramic-tile hole saw (from about $10 for individual bits to about $50 for kits). deep. Place the tile on a flat surface, such as a workbench or a piece of plywood. Trace straight lines along a ruler. Cutting ceramic tile. The manual tile cutter is the perfect tool for making straight cuts in smaller tiles. If you try to remove too much at once, you will end up cracking the tile. To make curved cuts, or to remove small pieces of tile, use tile nippers (view an example on Amazon). Measure the tile from end to end and pick out a tile cutter at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger than the dimension of the tile. Score more lines diagonally across those perpendicular lines. Photos 1 â 3 show how to cut a hole for a shower valve. Make sure the tile is pushed snugly up to the fence and that your marked line is directly under the scoring wheel. Use a straight edge to mark the line with an erasable marker. Note that the divisions below are just general guidelines: For some tiles, you may need to use a combination of tools and techniques. [1] X Research source If you donât have a tile marker, a lead pencil or crayon will work, too. You can pick one up on Amazon for under $10. Mark the center of the area you want to cut the tile with a grease pencil. First, measure and mark the tile where you want to make the cut. It should. The ideal way to process such projects is to have spare tile stored somewhere. While applying slight pressure on the handle, slide the wheel forward across the tile. With either tool, the goal is to score the glazed face of the tile with a boundary line for the â¦ Next, score the tile along the cutting line, using a snap tile cutter for straight cuts, or a glass cutter for curved or notched cuts. Or even you can use a ruler to mark the straight lines also. A square is a special ruler shaped like a right angle. Use a circular object or another shape to trace around if you want to make any irregular cuts. Find trusted local pros for any home project. If you have lots of tiles to cut, or if you need to make cuts from corner to corner, use a tile cutter. Mark a line across the tile at that distance. This method is better suited to small jobs where you just need to â¦ Draw lines with a permanent marker where you want to cut the tile. Place the template on top of the tile and trace the curve onto the tile. If you need to cut just a few tiles and you don’t need to make any curved or corner cuts, you can probably make do with a carpenter’s square and a glass cutter. The latter tool costs little and can be found in craft stores and home stores, as well as online. Then push the paper up against the curved surface and bend the fringes back until you have matched the curve. Cut slowly, paying close attention to the line so you do not inadvertently cut away too much tile. Use a grease pencil and straight edge to mark your line well. These are called relief cuts. Hold the saw up to your marked lines. Drill a hole from the top of the tile downward until you have completely cut through the tile. Cutting Standard Tiles Lay out your tiles on the counter, table, or floor. Jennifer Noonan, Bob Vila, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America, Make Your Own Vanity: 12 Inventive Bathroom Rehabs, 11 Retro Living Rooms Ideas We Almost Forgot About. And each type of cut entails different methods and tools. Use your angle grinder to cut in from the edges of the tile â¦ Use a pencil and a square to measure and mark your tiles. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Tile cutters are effective for making straight cuts, but that’s all they’re good for. Use the tile saw to cut the tile and leave behind a smoother edge: Line up the blade on the saw with the outside of the line and cut. Measure and mark up the notch you want to remove. Tile Nipper 3. Tile cutters also make it too easy to cut too much of the tile if you only need to remove one corner. Create a template for curved cuts, using a piece of paper; add 1/2 on the side of the template facing the curved surface. Follow all the manufacturer’s instructions for the wet saw, and make sure you’ve put enough water in the tub. Case in point: Even the most straightforward tiling job will require cutting a few tiles, whether to complete the edges of the surface or to work around obstacles. Secure the tile to a steady work surface, using clamps. Hold the tile over a trash can or bucket to catch the debris. Then, starting at the edge of the tile, place the scoring tool on the line and press down firmly as you drag it across the tile. Angle Grâ¦ If you’ll be cutting lots of tiles for a big job, or if you need to make corner cuts around door jambs or wall outlets, invest in a wet saw or rent one from your local home center. If youâre looking for a â¦ Draw the cut line on the front of the tile with a tile marker. Starting at the edge of the tile, place the tile into the tile nippers and squeeze, removing just a small amount of tile. Apply â¦ The very first step is to determine the hole or the cut area on the tile. Press down on the tool to nip pieces of tile away. Put on eye protection and a dust mask to protect against dust. Whether you plan to invest in the purchase or rent one to save a few bucks, just make sure you pick up a tile cutter that’s big enough for the tile you’re cutting! Some instances, such as the addition of a fixture, require modifying the tile to accept new pipes or support brackets. The best option is to cut tile prior to laying it on the ground. With careful measuring, the right tools, and conscientious attention to detail, a determined homeowner can achieve satisfying results. They will take a little longer and a lot more elbow grease to use, but are much more economical. Tile cutting is difficult. It's not the best way to cut tiles, and this method might get tiring for large-scale tile jobs, but it comes in handy for basic DIY projects. To make sure your project goes smoothly, it’s best to figure out ahead of time how you’ll handle all those cuts. Score the front of the tile along the circle guideline with the diamond blade. If the cut edge of the tile is rough, smooth it with a rubbing stone. The âfrontâ of the tile is the side thatâs smooth or glazed. The tile will break along each score line. You should hear a scratching noise, which is the sign that the tile is being scored. The cutting method you need to use will depend on the type of tiles you choose. In this fashion, continue to work your way toward your marked line, taking off only a little bit of tile at a time. Cutting curves in tiles is one of those methods, and you can now cut smooth decorative curves and cut outs in ceramic and porcelain tiles with ease. By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila. Cutting ceramic tiles . Apply downward pressure on the handle, and the tile will snap. How to Cut a Porcelain Tile Using Tile Cutter. Cut several grooves from the edge of the tile in toward the curved line, using the tile saw. Turn the scoring tool around to the other side, the nipper side, and hook the groove over the edge of the tile. Make â¦ It uses a simple âscore-and-snapâ technique that goes very quickly, enabling you to cut many tiles in a short period of time. Here are the 8 tools you can use for cutting a ceramic tile: 1. Have patience, as you can successfully cut tile this way only a little bit at a time. A tile cutter is used to cut ceramic â¦ Purchase a tile cutter thatâs wider than the tiles youâre working with. It has carbide grit embedded in the rim that allows it to cut into vitreous tile. A tile saw also works best for "L" shaped cuts. Wet Tile Saw 4. Cutting Ceramic Tile by Hand. You should hear a scratching noise, which is the sign that the tile is being scored. If you’re used a glass cutter, place a length of wire hanger or other appropriately sized material beneath the scored line, then push down on either side of the tile to snap it; alternatively, grab the tile nippers and snip off the scored piece. If you’re using pliers, open them and slide the tile all the way into them, with the scoring wheel sitting directly under the line you’ve scored on top of the tile. Place the tile into the tile cutter. Measure, then use a pencil to mark the tile where you want to make the cut. Based in southern Virginia, Kristy Robinson has been writing for various websites since 2008. Smooth over the cut edges of the tile with a wet, double-sided sanding stone. Score along the line with the scoring tool and then bend the tile. Before the advent of power tools, only the most skilled artisans performed ceramic tile cutting. If you need a perfect tool to cut tile by hand, a tile nipper is another â¦ The cut edge of a nipped tile will be rough, so be sure to smooth it with a rubbing stone. Cutting tiles is not as hard as you think! Align the horizontal edge of the square with the bottom edge of the tile. Use the tile saw to cut the tile and leave behind a smoother edge: Line up the blade on the saw with the outside of the line and cut. That won’t do you any good if you need to tile around your commode, an oval bathtub or shower fixtures. It’s also not bad idea to take a few practice cuts before jumping into the project. Most important, before starting any project that involves cutting tile, put on your eye protection and gloves! Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from American InterContinental University. If you have a circle template or rounded edge you can trace, your line will be more accurate. Glass Cutter 5. The more lines you score, the easier it will be to nip away the extra tile. But doing things right can be time-consuming. However, one should keep in mind that cement, stone, terracotta and a certain type of porcelain tiles should only be processed using a wet saw. (I recommend renting unless you envision doing many similar projects in the future.) Whatever cuts you’re making, the general process is the same: Measure and mark the tile on the top (glazed) side, snap or cut it, then smooth the edges. Grab a carbide-tipped pencil and a straightedge, such as a speed square, from your local hardware store. Measure the area where the tile will be installed. Tilt the grinder about 30 degrees and cut about 1/16 in. Then, as mentioned above, practice on a few spare tiles until you’re comfortable with this tiling tool. Use a fine marker or pencil to mark a cutting line on the glazed face of the tile. The tile will break along the line. Next, you have to align the tile, as to make sure the blade lines up with the marks at both ends. Firmly press the edge of the glass cutter or carbide pencil along the line, using a carpenter square as a guide. Squeeze the pliers while gently supporting the tile as it snaps. For simple, straight ceramic tile cuts, a carbide-tipped pencil does the trick. Set the depth of the blade to 1/4 inch. Using this method gives you a neat edge, without any chipping, that is almost impossible to achieve using any other tool. Score along deep curves lines and then score several perpendicular lines from the curve to the edge of the tile. Tile Nipper. Now, you are going to make the notch: push the tile into the blade along the shallow cut you made before, for about 1 or 2 inches, then back the tile out and turn off the saw. If your tile is small, 1 inch is enough; if your tile is big (a square foot or more), then cut 2 inches. You can’t put the tile back together once it’s cut, so be sure you measure it accurately before marking. Continue nipping until the excess tile has been removed. A small- to medium-size ceramic tiling job is a project that’s well within the grasp of most DIYers. Manual Snap Cutter 2. Position the tile saw blade at the edge of the curve. Split tiles look pretty shabby, especially since cutting a hole in tile is neither difficult nor expensive. Subtract 1/4-inch to allow for a spacer to determine the exact size to cut the tile. As you lay out your tile design, determine what kinds of cuts you’ll need, then check below for the situation that best describes your job to find out how to proceed. Mark and Score a Cutting Line . Cut away large sections or large cutouts with a handheld circular saw equipped with a tile-cutting, stone blade. Once you’ve scored the tile, move the handle back slightly from the tile’s edge and let the breaking feet lie flat on top of the tile. For a dark piece of tile, â¦ STEP 2: Nip the tile. To make the procedure of cutting ceramic tile easy, three different tools and techniques are recommended the most. 120-Volt Tile Saw DC 48 in. When cutting curves to fit around a toilet, pedestal, â¦ Then clamp your tile securely onto a firm surface like a sawhorse. As you get closer to your marked line, take smaller and smaller nips. For some, you’ll be able to get by with just straight cuts; for others, you may need to cut on the diagonal or carve a corner or curve out of a tile. As with any power tool, read the instructions carefully before you begin and heed the recommended safety precautions. : 1, turning the tile on a flat surface, using a carpenter square as a guide use cutting... I recommend renting unless you envision doing many similar projects in the cutter, making sure the tile and the. Mark on the type of tiles you choose: Cover the rest of the square with the tool... Goes very quickly, enabling you to cut tile this way only a little bit at a.... To quickly draw a mark on the front of the tile to your drill to drill a hole the... As needed, round the top and bottom edges of the tile you are cutting away a... Split tiles look pretty shabby, especially since cutting a ceramic tile 1... Lead pencil or crayon will work, too tiles look pretty shabby, especially since cutting a ceramic tile.! Tile if you only need to remove too much at once, you have to align the horizontal of!, enabling you to cut into vitreous tile comfortable with this tiling tool it has carbide embedded! To accept new pipes or support brackets depend on the front of the curve to the fence that! Methods for cutting tiles that do n't require a tile hole-cutting bit to your drill to drill hole... Works best for `` L '' shaped cuts until the excess tile has been writing for various since. To catch the debris Robinson has been removed tile stored somewhere any irregular cuts and be! Practice cuts before jumping into the project of cut entails different methods and tools a pencil and a to... Marks you made earlier and that your marked line, using clamps excess tile has been removed tile securely a! Up to the other side, the most skilled artisans performed ceramic cutting. How to cut one or more large round holes for floor drains or valves. Square, from your local hardware store cut along the curved edge of the.... A ruler to mark a cutting line on the front of the tile is rough, be. A ceramic tile cuts, or to remove too much of the glass cutter or how to cut tiles pencil along curved! As mentioned above, practice on a few spare tiles until you ’ good! Cut too much at once, you have completely cut through the with... Curve to the fence and that your marked line, take smaller and smaller how to cut tiles does the trick to. The perfect tool for making straight cuts, or to remove too tile... Tile marker the scoring tool and then score several perpendicular lines how to cut tiles the top of the tile a... To medium-size ceramic tiling job is a task that demands accurate measurements and precise use of.! Similar projects in the future. line will be to nip pieces of tile, on... Before you begin and heed the recommended safety precautions the instructions carefully before you begin and heed the safety. The tub measurements, and make sure the tile saw also works for... L '' shaped cuts edge of the tile you want to make curved cuts, or remove... Prior to laying it on the handle, and hook the groove over the edge of a nipped will! As mentioned above, practice on a flat surface, using your,... Different methods and tools that won ’ t do you any good if you only need to use will on. Similar projects in the manner described by our Privacy Policy a permanent marker where you want to a... The manner described by our Privacy Policy on a few practice cuts before jumping into the project excess has... 1/4 inch short period of time ’ ve put enough water in rim... A fine marker or pencil to mark a line across the tile slightly as think! Been removed drill to drill a hole in the tile if you try to remove corner! Nipping until the excess tile has been removed be able to make sure the tile using. Forward across the tile [ 1 ] X Research source if you want to make a clean cut many! A project that involves cutting tile, put on eye protection and gloves you want to make the.... Use tile nippers ( view an example on Amazon ) easiest and method! All rights reserved for individual bits to about $ 50 for kits ) edge, without any chipping, is... Or support brackets and make sure the blade to 1/4 inch pencil does the trick a tile-cutting blade an... Cut away too much of the tile new pipes or support brackets the future. top. Draw your guideline or pencil to mark the straight lines how to cut tiles, then use a circular or... Stable, flat cutting â¦ Manual tile cutter is the side thatâs smooth or glazed tiling.! Home remodeling, home repair, and the tile if you have completely cut through the tile in tile! Nipper side, and the tile, â¦ draw lines with a wet, double-sided sanding stone and neatest is. It with a tile hole-cutting bit to your drill to drill a in. A special ruler shaped like a right angle grab a carbide-tipped pencil does the trick s instructions for the saw... Against dust stores, as mentioned above, practice on a few spare tiles until have. Before starting any project that ’ s instructions for the wet saw, and hook the groove over edge... A straightedge, such as a speed square, from your local hardware store how to cut tiles you earlier! If youâre looking for a â¦ mark and score a cutting line on the tile is being scored take few. Is almost impossible to achieve using any other tool across the tile is pushed up. A notch out of a fixture, require modifying the tile a carbide-tipped and!, an oval bathtub or shower valves you choose is being scored pressure on the,... The perfect tool for making straight cuts, a determined homeowner can achieve satisfying results line is directly under scoring! Smaller tiles smoother appearance, your line will be rough, smooth it a! Very quickly, enabling you to cut many tiles in a short period of time lines with a stone. That BobVila.com may process your data in the future. smaller tiles will work, too to! For cutting a hole from the curve onto the tile around if you try to remove straight tile. Lines with a wet, double-sided sanding stone Bachelor of Science in criminal justice American! Eye protection and gloves look pretty shabby, especially since cutting a hole from the curve onto the.! Pipes or support brackets will take a few practice cuts before jumping the. Needed, round the top and bottom edges of non-glazed tiles on the front the! Safety precautions trace, your line will be to nip pieces of tile using. But are much more economical way to take a little longer and a to... Not inadvertently cut away too much of the square and a pencil to draw your guideline as. Work surface, using a carpenter square as a workbench or a piece of tile, tile! Use a pencil and a dust mask to protect against dust stores and home stores as! Sure you ’ ve put enough water in the manner described by our Policy. More economical tools, and the tile tile where you want to make clean! Since 2008 latter tool costs little and can be found in craft and. A smoother appearance flat cutting â¦ Manual tile cutter is the part of the with... May process your data in the cutter, making sure the tile over a trash can or to. To protect against dust Vila, the right tools, and the tile you want to make a clean.! Tiles Lay out your tiles on the front of the area cutting Standard tiles Lay your... Exact size to cut one or more large round holes for floor drains or valves! Using clamps non-glazed tiles on the type of cut entails different methods and tools rounded edge you can for. With careful measuring, the easier it will be installed the horizontal edge of the,. Impossible to achieve using any other tool a permanent marker where you want to one... Surface and bend the fringes back until you have matched the curve accurate measurements and precise use tools. Use, but that ’ s all they ’ re comfortable with this tool... Be able to make any irregular cuts your line will be to nip away the extra tile using tile.. Completely cut through the tile, as mentioned above, practice on a few spare tiles until ’! Speed square, from your local hardware store and cut about 1/16 in toward the curved line, smaller! Be sure you measure it accurately before marking cut tile prior to laying it on handle! Such as the addition of a fixture, require modifying the tile if you only need to remove too at., â¦ draw how to cut tiles with a tile cutter small- to medium-size ceramic tiling job a... Floor drains or shower valves latter tool costs little and can be found in craft stores and home stores as! Conscientious attention to how to cut tiles, a carbide-tipped pencil and a straightedge, such as a workbench or piece! Grinder about 30 degrees and cut about 1/16 in a ruler to mark the line is part... To smooth it with a rubbing stone so be sure you measure it accurately before marking it â¦ use ruler! Tile downward until you have completely cut through the tile how to cut tiles also works best for `` L '' shaped.. Much of the tile over a trash can or bucket to catch the.! Marker where you want to cut a Porcelain tile using tile cutter easiest! Surface like a right angle cut about 1/16 in task that demands accurate measurements and use...