Looking forward to your next DIY installation with porcelain tiles? Porcelain is strong and durable, making the tile a perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor settings. The versatile stone is known for its resistance to stains, scratches, unpredictable weather conditions, and anti-slip qualities. It is one of the most popular choices for walls and floors.
If you’ve chosen porcelain tiles for your next project, then you’ve made the right choice! Cutting porcelain tiles is often considered harder than other tiles, as the stone has a dense and hard surface. It’s essential to use the right tools and techniques when working with porcelain.
If you’re wondering how to cut porcelain tile for your next DIY project, this guide will help you learn about the tools, techniques, and basic step-by-step process to get the perfect result.
What Tools Do You Need To Cut Porcelain Tiles?
When mastering the art of how to cut porcelain tile, one crucial thing to keep in mind is using the right tools for a seamless finish and easy installation of tiles. Below are some of the most common tools for cutting porcelain tiles.
a. Workbench
Bring a sturdy workbench to the working space, as it will help cut a tile properly without any difficulty. Cutting tile on a bench will prevent any slips and offer a stable platform to work efficiently.
b. Manual Cutter
A manual cutter is used for cutting any tile, be it porcelain, limestone floor tiles, or indian sandstone. It is used for giving a straight cut with a seamless finish. The tool does not require electricity; you just need to score and snap, and the work is done. Manual cutters are ideal for individuals who are new to DIY projects.
c. Wet Saw
The next tool in the line, when learning how to cut porcelain tiles, is a wet saw. This tool is more likely to be used by professionals or people with experience in cutting tiles. The tools are perfect for cutting porcelain patio tile like Getafe Beige Porcelain, which needs detailed cuts. The tools use water to cool the blade and reduce harmful dust.
d. Angle Grinder With Diamond Blade
If you’re looking to get creative and want to cut different shapes, curves, or achieve a smooth finish on the edges, consider getting an angle grinder equipped with a diamond wheel. The tool is highly useful and versatile, but requires careful handling.
e. Rubbing block
A rubbing block will help smooth rough and sharp edges, making them safer to handle and fit properly.
f. Tile Marker
A tile marker will ensure that you cut the tiles properly by giving the proper marks and preventing any mistakes.
g. Measuring Tape
A measuring tape helps you measure the tile correctly and cut the tiles in the proper shape and sizes.
h. Tile File
A tile file helps in giving a smooth finish or eliminating uneven edges for the space where accurate sizing is necessary.
Safety Precautions For Cutting Porcelain Tiles
a. Ear defenders: The sound of the cutting machines can be noisy, so protect your ears by wearing ear defenders during extended cutting sessions.
b. Goggles: Wear goggles to protect your eyes from dust and fragments, to keep them safe.
c. Dust Mask: As porcelain generates fine dust, wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling any harmful particles.
d. Work Gloves: Cutting tiles, like outdoor porcelain tile, limestone floor tiles, and indian sandstone, such as Buff Honed Sandstone Paving, can be dangerous, especially when you are a beginner. Wear gloves to protect your hands from cuts and to improve your grip.
e. Boots: Protective boots safeguard your feet from falling tiles and heavy tools, ensuring a safe workspace.
How to Cut Porcelain Tiles Without Chipping?
Let us break down the methods and steps for cutting porcelain tiles with different tools:
Method 1: Manual Cutter
Step-by-step process for cutting porcelain tiles with a Manual Cutter
a. Measure and mark the tiles: Use a pencil and straightedge to draw lines for a cut. Always ensure to check the line twice for accurate cuts.
b. Position the tile for Cut: Place the tile in the cutter, aligning the marked line with the scoring wheel.
c. Score the Tile: Now, it’s time to slowly score the tile by putting firm pressure across the tile once.
d. Lastly, Snap the Tile: Lower the breaker of the manual cutter and press it down. The tile will be split with the score line.
e. Smooth Edges: Give a polished finish to the tile by rounding off sharp edges.
Method 2: Wet Saw
This is precisely curated to guide you on how to cut 20mm porcelain tiles like Copper Slate Porcelain with a wet saw. Below are the steps:
Step 1: Place the saw properly: First step in the line is filling the reservoir with water. Now, adjust the blade to ⅛ just above the tile surface.
Step 2: Mark the tile with a pencil for accurate cuts.
Step 3: Place the tile straight/face-up on the sliding table and align the cut line with the blade for a proper cut.
Step 4: Now, cut by turning the saw and pause for the blade to reach full speed. Firmly push the tile through the blade. Ensure not to put too much pressure on the tile as it might crack. Just a firm pressure.
Step 5: Now, lastly, clean the tile with a sponge to prevent staining.
Method 3: Angle Grinder For Curves And Notches
Step-by-step process on how to cut 20mm porcelain tiles with an Angle Grinder for giving curves and notches:
Step 1: Cut the tile by outlining the shape with a pencil. If you want to cut a circle, you also use
Compass or plastic template.
Step 2: Secure the Tile by clamping the tile to a workbench. Now, cut the tile freehand
Step 3: Turn on the grinder and allow it to achieve its maximum speed. Position the grinder at a 45° angle and slowly guide the blade along the marked line. Work in small sections to prevent overheating of the blade.
Step 4: Lastly, refine the sharp edges with a diamond hand file or sanding block.
Pro Tips For Getting A Professional Finish
Achieving the high-end finish can be easy, but it requires practice and a lot of attention. Here are some of the pro tips for giving a professional finish to any tile, be it limestone floor tiles, indian sandstone, or outdoor porcelain tiles:
a. Work in an open/ventilated Space: Cut porcelain tiles in an open space to prevent inhalation of harmful particles and better visibility.
b. Clean the Tile Before Polishing: Before polishing, clean the tile to ensure a smooth finish.
c. Use the Right Tools: To ensure a smooth finish, using the right tools is crucial. Invest in high-quality diamond blades, grinding pads, and polishing tools to ensure a clean cut.
d. Work With Patience: Learning to cut porcelain tiles like Cross Over White Porcelain takes time, patience, and practice. Do not rush the process and practice on scrap tiles before working on the actual tiles.
Takeaways
Many homeowners search for porcelain tiles how to cut because these tiles are harder than ceramic and need the right tools. Cutting porcelain tiles is a very sensitive activity and requires a lot of attention and patience. For this, you are required to be extra attentive while cutting porcelain tiles.
FAQ’s: How to cut porcelain tile
Q1. What is the best tool for cutting porcelain tiles?
Ans. Wall and floor porcelain tiles can be cut by any of the following methods: a wet or dry electric cutter, nipper, manual cutter, or by hand. However, most experts will recommend using a heavy diamond blade wet saw tile cutter. You will get a more even cut or finished edge, less likely to chip or crack.
Q2. Do porcelain slabs need a gap?
Ans. Porcelain tiles have accurate edges, and there is typically a need for spacers or gaps between the tiles that are 2mm to 5 mm wide. Using spacers will allow for a more uniform finish. Tiles should not be laid tightly without spacers if they are going to be grouted; orienting them this way makes them more likely to break and crack.
Q3. How to cut porcelain tile by hand?
Ans. You can hand-cut porcelain slabs that have fine detail, ornate shapes, and complex curves using a tile nipper, manual tile cutter, or even a hacksaw with an extra-sharp blade. First, mark the shape you want to cut. Next, score the marked area with a utility knife, and then make small, soft cuts to create perpendicular pieces.
