So, you think you know everything about how to tile kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, even outdoor patios. But do you know how to cut porcelain tile correctly?
If you’re into DIY home improvement, you don’t want to find cracked or failed tile further down the line and end up having to pay more money to have it replaced. If you’re a professional, you don’t want a disappointed customer with poorly laid and cut tile.
As a professional tile installer, your reputation is everything. On average, word of mouth results in five times more sales than paid advertising. So, you need to have the knowledge and skills in cutting porcelain tile, which is becoming increasingly popular, to impress customers and keep getting business.
Keep your expertise up to date with this guide to porcelain, proper tools, and tips for cutting.
WHY USE PORCELAIN?
Porcelain is one of the most popular choices for tile floors and walls. It is durable, versatile, and easy to maintain. Here are the top reasons to choose porcelain tile.
DURABILITY
Porcelain is strong enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and even water splashes for many years. It can withstand in-floor heating which is helpful if you dislike the feeling of a cold tile floor.
Thorough-bodied porcelain has a strong texture that hides scrapes and chips, and it doesn’t have a glaze that will wear away over time. Glazed porcelain has a durable, hard finish and comes in the most variety of colours and patterns. Colour-body porcelain offers some of the benefits of both, as this tile has the same main colour throughout its body and glaze, with the less-used colours only present on the tile’s surface.
EASY TO CLEAN
An important aspect to think about when planning a floor for a kitchen or bathroom is how easy it is to clean. Fortunately, porcelain is very easily maintained and cleaned. Simply wipe up messes right away with a little water and clean with a damp mop weekly. The only thing you want to be wary of on porcelain tile is abrasives such as steel wool, though this varies from tile to tile, so check with the manufacturer first if you’re considering such cleaning methods.
VERSATILITY
Porcelain tile is versatile to your personal aesthetic desires. Porcelain can be glazed to look like other types of stone, wood, or even exotic prints. Whatever the theme or style of you or your client’s room, you’ll be able to find a matching porcelain option.
HOW TO CUT PORCELAIN TILE: THE RIGHT TOOLS
Once you’ve chosen your materials, you’ll need the right tools to cut porcelain tile. Unless by some miracle your room is the exact right size and shape for the tile you’ve ordered, you’ll need an exact cut to make sure it fits. Here are the best tools for the job:
MANUAL CUTTER
A manual cutter is the least expensive option for cutting porcelain tile. It will get the job done efficiently, though it can be a hard tool to master.
Luckily, RUBI UK produces a range of professional tile cutters that can cut some porcelain tiles.
DIAMOND BLADE AND ELECTRIC CUTTERS
If you’re planning on using any kind of electric cutter, whether wet or dry, you’ll need a diamond blade. Part of what makes porcelain so durable is that it’s a very hard material, so you’ll need something even harder to cut through it.
There are many options of diamond blades to choose from, and some designs focus more on cutting speeds while others focus more on the cut’s finish.
NIPPER
Unlike a manual cutter or electric saw, nippers will allow you to make round cuts to porcelain tile. Made of two tungsten carbides and scoring wheels with titanium nitride surface treatment, these nippers made with new materials are strong and long-lasting to help you make precise cuts.
HOW TO CUT PORCELAIN TILE
With tools and tiles in hand, you’re ready to start cutting. Always use the proper safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, and an apron to avoid accidents.
Once you cut your tile, you can’t go back. So, it’s important to get it right on the first try. Follow these steps for a clean cut every time:
HOW TO CUT PORCELAIN TILE: MARKING YOUR TILE FOR ELECTRIC CUTS
To begin, make sure that your diamond blade is clean and sharp. To make accurate cuts according to your marks, your blade must be in perfect shape. You can mark your tile in two steps.
First, take a grease pencil to mark where you want to cut. Take careful measurements and make sure to mark accurately so that you have a clean line to follow with your blade. Remember, measure twice, cut once!
Next, take your cutter and drop the blade down so that it sits on top of the tile. Run the blade along the line that you’ve marked and check that it never deviates or leaves the line to ensure a straight line.
To avoid chipping, in the tile, pull the blade through the tile slowly, using only one finger to make sure you aren’t forcing the blade through.
These steps aren’t necessary if you’re using a manual cutter that’s equipped with a rotating square and lateral stop, because once you’ve set these two parts of the manual cutter in place correctly, it is impossible for your cut not to come out straight.
BEGINNING TO CUT
If you are using a wet saw, make sure your reservoir is full before you begin to cut.
Don’t force the diamond disc forward. Instead, let the disc direct the speed of the cut to make sure that you’ll get the best finish possible. You can use a leveller for even more accuracy.
THE BEST PORCELAIN TILE PRACTICES
You should feel more confident in how to cut porcelain tile now. Using the right cutters, blades, and hand tools will ensure a quality cut. Be sure to follow safe practices and go slowly, and you’re sure to have satisfied customers who are impressed with your tile work.
Interested in purchasing tools for cutting porcelain tile or other home improvement materials? Check out RUBI Tools’ newest products!
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