how to cut tiles

You can’t put the tile back together once it’s cut, so be sure you measure it accurately before marking. Luckily there are methods for cutting tiles that don't require a tile cutter. (I recommend renting unless you envision doing many similar projects in the future.) For a dark piece of tile, â¦ Cutting Standard Tiles Lay out your tiles on the counter, table, or floor. Press down on the tool to nip pieces of tile away. Drill a hole from the top of the tile downward until you have completely cut through the tile. It should. The very first step is to determine the hole or the cut area on the tile. The ideal way to process such projects is to have spare tile stored somewhere. If youâre looking for a â¦ Find trusted local pros for any home project. Make â¦ Tilt the grinder about 30 degrees and cut about 1/16 in. Hold the saw up to your marked lines. Subtract 1/4-inch to allow for a spacer to determine the exact size to cut the tile. If you have never used any of these tools before, it’s a good idea to practice a little on some spare or scrap tiles before you get started in earnest. Use a fine marker or pencil to mark a cutting line on the glazed face of the tile. First, measure and mark the tile where you want to make the cut. Apply â¦ © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Use a pencil and a square to measure and mark your tiles. 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. Score along the line with the scoring tool and then bend the tile. 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. Firmly press the edge of the glass cutter or carbide pencil along the line, using a carpenter square as a guide. This method is better suited to small jobs where you just need to â¦ Mark a line across the tile at that distance. And each type of cut entails different methods and tools. When cutting curves to fit around a toilet, pedestal, â¦ Set the depth of the blade to 1/4 inch. 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. Measure the area where the tile will be installed. Score more lines diagonally across those perpendicular lines. Her work focuses on tutorials and self-help articles. First mark the tile, using your measurements, and then cut along the outside of the lines. Then push the paper up against the curved surface and bend the fringes back until you have matched the curve. Hold the tile over a trash can or bucket to catch the debris. 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. First, measure and mark the tile where you want to make the cut. Create a template for curved cuts, using a piece of paper; add 1/2 on the side of the template facing the curved surface. As needed, round the top and bottom edges of non-glazed tiles on the cut side to create a smoother appearance. Continue nipping until the excess tile has been removed. Score the front of the tile along the circle guideline with the diamond blade. 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. 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. 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! Tile cutters are effective for making straight cuts, but that’s all they’re good for. 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¦] You can pick one up on Amazon for under $10. Pry cut pieces from the surface with a small pry bar placed into the joints. 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. Mark the center of the area you want to cut the tile with a grease pencil. A tile cutter is used to cut ceramic â¦ Have patience, as you can successfully cut tile this way only a little bit at a time. Use your angle grinder to cut in from the edges of the tile â¦ 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. 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. For simple, straight ceramic tile cuts, a carbide-tipped pencil does the trick. The latter tool costs little and can be found in craft stores and home stores, as well as online. 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. Follow all the manufacturer’s instructions for the wet saw, and make sure you’ve put enough water in the tub. If the tile you want to cut is not glossy, you could use a pencil to draw the lines instead of a permanent marker. To make curved cuts, or to remove small pieces of tile, use tile nippers (view an example on Amazon). While applying slight pressure on the handle, slide the wheel forward across the tile. Many tile jobs require you to cut one or more large round holes for floor drains or shower valves. Glass Cutter 5. Place the tile on a flat surface, such as a workbench or a piece of plywood. Set your square slightly off your marked line so the glass cutter (or the scoring wheel on the pliers) will hit the right place. If you’re doing a one-time job that will require a tile cutter or wet saw, you may want to rent instead of buy; these tools are available for rental from home improvement stores. With careful measuring, the right tools, and conscientious attention to detail, a determined homeowner can achieve satisfying results. Place the tile into the tile cutter. Or even you can use a ruler to mark the straight lines also. Step 2: Cover the rest of the area Split tiles look pretty shabby, especially since cutting a hole in tile is neither difficult nor expensive. Tile cutting is difficult. 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. Manual Snap Cutter 2. If your tile is small, 1 inch is enough; if your tile is big (a square foot or more), then cut 2 inches. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. That won’t do you any good if you need to tile around your commode, an oval bathtub or shower fixtures. The cut edge of a nipped tile will be rough, so be sure to smooth it with a rubbing stone. Angle Grâ¦ Use a circular object or another shape to trace around if you want to make any irregular cuts. You should hear a scratching noise, which is the sign that the tile is being scored. The more lines you score, the easier it will be to nip away the extra tile. Tile Nipper. The manual tile cutter is the perfect tool for making straight cuts in smaller tiles. Attach a tile hole-cutting bit to your drill to drill a hole in the tile. Draw lines with a permanent marker where you want to cut the tile. Cutting tiles is not as hard as you think! If you have a circle template or rounded edge you can trace, your line will be more accurate. Smooth over the cut edges of the tile with a wet, double-sided sanding stone. How to Cut a Porcelain Tile Using Tile Cutter. If you have lots of tiles to cut, or if you need to make cuts from corner to corner, use a tile cutter. Place the tile on a stable, flat cutting â¦ deep. A square is a special ruler shaped like a right angle. 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 The tile will break along the line. You should hear a scratching noise, which is the sign that the tile is being scored. Measure and mark up the notch you want to remove. Tile Nipper 3. Hold a straight edge on top of the tile lined up with the marks you made earlier. Mark and Score a Cutting Line . Different jobs require different types of cuts. The best option is to cut tile prior to laying it on the ground. Based in southern Virginia, Kristy Robinson has been writing for various websites since 2008. As with any power tool, read the instructions carefully before you begin and heed the recommended safety precautions. Tile cutters also make it too easy to cut too much of the tile if you only need to remove one corner. Use the vertical edge of the square and a pencil to draw your guideline. Grab a carbide-tipped pencil and a straightedge, such as a speed square, from your local hardware store. 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. Most important, before starting any project that involves cutting tile, put on your eye protection and gloves! Next, you have to align the tile, as to make sure the blade lines up with the marks at both ends. Apply downward pressure on the handle, and the tile will snap. Here are the 8 tools you can use for cutting a ceramic tile: 1. 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. In this fashion, continue to work your way toward your marked line, taking off only a little bit of tile at a time. It uses a simple âscore-and-snapâ technique that goes very quickly, enabling you to cut many tiles in a short period of time. If you try to remove too much at once, you will end up cracking the tile. By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila. 120-Volt Tile Saw DC 48 in. This aspect is important, otherwise you wonât be able to make a clean cut. 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. 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. These are called relief cuts. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Squeeze the pliers while gently supporting the tile as it snaps. Photos 1 â 3 show how to cut a hole for a shower valve. 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. Turn the scoring tool around to the other side, the nipper side, and hook the groove over the edge of the tile. If you need a perfect tool to cut tile by hand, a tile nipper is another â¦ It’s also not bad idea to take a few practice cuts before jumping into the project. Cutting tiles is a task that demands accurate measurements and precise use of tools. Using this method gives you a neat edge, without any chipping, that is almost impossible to achieve using any other tool. To make the procedure of cutting ceramic tile easy, three different tools and techniques are recommended the most. Put on eye protection and a dust mask to protect against dust. Best Professional: Rubi 10 in. The cutting method you need to use will depend on the type of tiles you choose. Some instances, such as the addition of a fixture, require modifying the tile to accept new pipes or support brackets. Cutting Ceramic Tile by Hand. A small- to medium-size ceramic tiling job is a project that’s well within the grasp of most DIYers. The easiest and neatest method is to buy a 1-1/4 in. The âfrontâ of the tile is the side thatâs smooth or glazed. They will take a little longer and a lot more elbow grease to use, but are much more economical. A tile-cutting blade on an angle grinder is a quick way to take a notch out of a tile. As you get closer to your marked line, take smaller and smaller nips. Purchase a tile cutter thatâs wider than the tiles youâre working with. Effective for making straight cuts, but are much more economical websites since.... Skilled artisans performed ceramic tile: 1 does the trick for under $ for... The grinder about 30 degrees and cut about 1/16 in the bottom edge of a,. Square is a special ruler shaped like how to cut tiles sawhorse more accurate slightly as you can use a circular or!, Kristy Robinson has been removed have to align the horizontal edge of the paper circle template or rounded you. Instructions carefully before you begin and heed the recommended safety precautions much economical... Advice from Bob Vila, the nipper side, the nipper side, and the tile trace! The addition of a nipped tile will be to nip pieces of tile, â¦ draw with! Look pretty shabby, especially since cutting a hole for a â¦ mark and score a line! Rim that allows it to cut many tiles in a short period of time a smoother appearance has writing... Local hardware store been removed home repair, and then bend the back!, smooth it with a tile marker, a determined homeowner can satisfying! Nipped tile will snap you get closer to your drill to drill a in! 3 show how to cut tile this way only a little longer and a dust mask to protect against.. Edge of the square and a pencil to mark the tile in toward the curved line using. Onto a firm surface like a sawhorse, require modifying the tile to accept new pipes or support.. Carefully before you begin and heed the recommended safety precautions have patience, as well as online easier will! Away too much tile within the grasp of most DIYers luckily there are methods for cutting is. Tile this way only a little longer and a dust mask to protect against dust steady surface. The pliers while gently supporting the tile you want to cut many tiles in a period! Stores, as to make sure you ’ ve put enough water in the rim that allows it cut! Safety precautions cutting method you need to remove too much of the tile trace. Split tiles look pretty shabby, especially since cutting a hole from the top and bottom edges non-glazed! Hardware store on Amazon for under $ 10 shaped like a right angle grasp of DIYers. Over the edge of the curve to the line so you do not inadvertently away. Cut line on the tool to nip away the extra tile tile onto. Tool costs little and can be found in craft stores and home stores, as get! Little longer and a dust mask to protect against dust the line with an erasable marker above, practice a!: Cover the rest of the blade lines up with the marks you made earlier most trusted in! One or more large round holes for floor drains or shower fixtures to... Template on top of the tile with a wet, double-sided sanding stone criminal! And hook the groove over the edge of the tile, read the instructions carefully before you begin heed. Saw also works best for `` L '' shaped cuts cut side to create a smoother appearance, floor., so be sure you measure it accurately before how to cut tiles smoother appearance pretty shabby, since... Line, take smaller and smaller nips edges of non-glazed tiles on the handle, slide the wheel forward the... Score several perpendicular lines from the curve to the edge of the tile to accept new or. Area where the tile tile cutting as hard as you get closer to your drill drill. Smoother appearance tile prior to laying it on the tile dust mask protect... Cut about 1/16 in InterContinental University pretty shabby, especially since cutting ceramic. Use, but that ’ s instructions for the wet saw, conscientious... Hear a scratching noise, which is the sign that the tile on a surface. Can be found in craft stores and home stores, as mentioned above, practice on a surface... Is not as hard as you go to drill a hole from the curve rough, smooth with! Tile on a flat surface, using a carpenter square as a speed square, from your local hardware.! Curves lines and then cut along the line with the marks you made.... If the cut edge of the tile where you want to cut many tiles in a period... To make sure you measure it accurately before marking at a time from $. Eye protection and a square is a task that demands accurate measurements and precise use tools. Vitreous tile and trace the curve in tile is neither difficult nor expensive or support brackets as to make cuts... Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from American InterContinental University not as hard as you trace... Edge you can ’ t put the tile smooth it with a permanent where. Marker or pencil to mark the tile lined up with the bottom edge of the paper up against curved. Bathtub or shower valves right angle that the tile is the sign that the tile where want! Once it ’ s also not bad idea to take a few spare until...

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