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How to Cut Tile: Understanding the Different Types and Tools

How to Cut Tile: Understanding the Different Types and Tools
May 5, 2021

Cutting tile is a special skill that takes two important things—hours of dedicated practice and a stash of the right tools. Assuming you’ve already got the former down to a science, or are working on it at least, we’re here to help you with the latter. As the saying goes, “You’re only as good as your worst player,” and that’s definitely true when it comes to the gear you’ve got in your toolbox. In this guide, we’re going over a few of the most important kinds of tile cutting tools to help you figure out if your equipment makes the cut.

The Tools You Need if You Want to Cut ...

Material is the first thing to consider when learning how to cut tile. Porcelain, ceramic, glass, and natural stone all have different properties and behave differently under pressure. Here are the tools you need to cut different types of tile.

Ceramic and Porcelain

Ceramic tiles are extremely popular among homeowners and designers because they’re durable yet affordable. They’re also quite forgiving and relatively easy to work with, making them a top pick for contractors. Most conventional tile cutters will do the job just fine when slicing through ceramic, including economical manual tile cutters.

Great Ceramic and Porcelain Cutting Options: Montolit 6363 Push Tile Cutter (Pictured Above) or Rubi 1005 TP-S Push Porcelain Tile Cutter

Porcelain

Equally as popular as ceramic, porcelain tiles are attractive and low-maintenance. Porcelain is commonly used in the bathroom, kitchen and—thanks to its resistance to extreme weather and fading in the sun—even the patio. Porcelain requires a heavier-duty blade, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use the same tool you’d use with ceramic. Many manual tile cutters come with special wheels and extra features just for porcelain, so keep this in mind when selecting a model.

Shop All Of Our Tiling Tools

Glass

Though you don’t see it quite as often as ceramic and porcelain, glass tiling is a low-maintenance and attractive option for a variety of applications, especially for things like backsplashes. However, as we all know, glass can be delicate and tricky to work with, so you need a more delicate cutting solution. In general, you shouldn’t use a wet table saw when cutting glass. A manual one like the one listed below is best.

Sigma 9744 Tile Cutter

Great Glass Cutting Options: Montolit 6363 Push Tile Cutter or Sigma 9744 Tile Cutter (Pictured)

Natural Stone

Natural stone tiles, like marble and granite, are a popular and high-end finish that brings a beautiful natural aesthetic to any project. These materials tend to be among the strongest, which means a heavier-duty option is usually required. Using a wet table saw is your best bet when cutting natural stone tiles, as it will create accurate, consistent, and properly angled cuts with ease.

DeWalt D2400S Tile Saw

Great Natural Stone Cutting Options: DeWalt D2400S Tile Saw (Pictured) or Rubi 55948 DC 250-1200

Cement

Though not as traditional as the other options on this list, cement tile is becoming quite the popular option among homeowners who love the industrial or modern aesthetic. Besides its sleek look, it’s also desirable because it’s extremely durable and long-lasting. But cutting concrete isn’t the easiest job, so you’ll want to use a wet saw like one of those listed above. You could also use a concrete ring saw equipped with the right diamond blade.

Husqvarna K970 Concrete Ring Saw

Great Cement Tile Cutting Options: Husqvarna K970 Concrete Ring Saw (Pictured), DeWalt D2400S Tile Saw or Rubi 55948 DC 250-1200

Using the right tile cutter for the job and material at hand is crucial to a job well done. Cutting tile with the wrong tool can result in a jagged, uneven finish and a sloppy-looking result. What’s more, it can put you at risk of getting cut. Improper tool usage can result in sharp, dangerous edges and a lack of control, which could result in serious injury. Doing it the right way means using the right tool, period.

The team here at Contractors Direct is more than happy to help you find the right tiling tools, no matter if you’re a busy professional or a first-time do-it-yourselfer. If you have any questions about our products and their usage, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for personalized advice.