How to Cut Porcelain Tiles Correctly

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How to Cut Porcelain Tiles Correctly

  • How to cut porcelain tiles
  • How to cut tiles
  • How to cut a mosaic

Porcelain cutting by hand

If you decide to put porcelain tiles in a small hallway, it is not practical to purchase a professional tool. The strength of this material depends on the specific manufacturer, some varieties lend themselves to hand tools.

The simplest, most universal and inexpensive tool used for cutting ceramic tiles is manual glass cutter. It can be roller or diamond. The latter cuts more accurately and better, but wears out faster.

For work, you need a ruler or level rail. Put it along the cut line and firmly press it to the tile. The ruler will not allow the glass cutter to slip to the side. During cutting, the tool must be pressed to the surface as hard as possible to scratch the top layer of the tile deeper. Try to do it in one pass, otherwise porcelain stoneware may crack unevenly.

Now the tile needs to be broken. To do this, lay it on the edge of the table so that the fault line protrudes slightly beyond its plane. Press the edge of the tile sharply and firmly. If the furrow was deep enough, the porcelain tile should break along the intended line.

Another option is to use a manual tile cutter. This tool resembles a glass cutter in principle. It also uses a roller or diamond that scratches the upper surface of the tile. But the tile cutter is more convenient and efficient. Its working plane is covered with material that does not allow the tile to slip, and the lever moving along the guides helps to create a fairly large effort.

How to Cut Porcelain Tiles Correctly

Porcelain tile cutting is easy. Mark the cut line with a marker and lay the tile on the work surface so that the cutting roller passes exactly along the line. While pressing on the handle of the tool, cut and break the tile using the special emphasis on the working part of the tool.

Porcelain cutting with power tools

If you need to cut a large amount of granite, it is much more convenient and productive to use an electric tool. One of the most convenient options is a water-cooled electric tile cutter. Its diamond blade easily cuts even the toughest porcelain tiles, while water cools the blade and significantly reduces dust.

Begin work with a marking, putting a line of the future cut on a tile. Turn on the tool and place the porcelain tiles on the desktop so that the disk is opposite the line. The workpiece should be fed to the disk smoothly, holding it with both hands.

Despite the convenience of an electric tile cutter, it can hardly be called a universal tool. Therefore, many people prefer to cut porcelain tiles with an angle grinder, which can be used for many applications. Its undoubted advantage is the ability to make curved cuts.

For cutting ceramic tiles, you will need a diamond-coated blade designed for dry work. Be prepared for a lot of dust. After marking the workpiece, put it on a sheet of plywood or chipboard, so as not to damage the surface of the table or floor. It is advisable to fix the tile so as to be able to hold the tool with both hands.

Do not try to cut the tile in one pass, otherwise it may be damaged. First make a shallow cut in the top layer. The resulting furrow will not allow the disc to slip off the angle grinder and simplify the work, playing the role of a guide. When working with an angle grinder, be sure to observe safety precautions! Do not remove the protective cover, do not install a larger disk and use glasses. A piece of porcelain stoneware can injure your eyes.