Tips on Cutting Porcelain Tiles

Many people feel more comfortable letting a professional cut their porcelain tiles. Still, if you’re interested in cutting your own tile for your flooring project, there are several key points to keep in mind. Being comfortable troubleshooting is one of the best ways to have a successful cutting and flooring project, and in order to do that you need to educate yourself on the process of cutting porcelain tile!

Follow these basic tips for cutting porcelain tile:

What Should You Cut Your Porcelain Tile With?

Most professionals will recommend the use of a wet saw to cut porcelain stone and tile. Diamond tip blades will ensure a clean, polished cut of your porcelain tile. When it comes time to cut, apply gentle pressure and lett the blade do its job. This is the best ways to get a nice, clean cut the first time.

Prepping for "The Big Cut"

Before you make any sort of cut, you're going to want to pick out the best pieces of tile. Some porcelain tiles may have gotten chipped or broken in the process of getting shipped, so cherry pick the best pieces to cut first. After you take measurement of your room, with a ruler and pencil, make a line where the tiles need to be cut. Not many rooms are a perfect square, so cutting is kind of inevitable. 

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble getting a polished cut the first time, there could be a problem with your saw and/or blade. Consider these troubleshooting tips:

• Is your blade dull? One sign that your blade is dull is if your tiles keep cracking when you try to cut them.
• Is your blade warped or bent? If so, replace it immediately for clean cuts in your porcelain tile.
• Are your cutting head bearings loose? This can cause vibration, which can lead to broken tiles.
• Will your blade not cut? If so, you may not be using the correct blade for the tile you are trying to cut. Check with the tile manufacturer for recommended blades.
• Are you getting an uneven cut? You could have uneven water pressure on each side of the blade. A quick fix for this would be to flush out the water system on your cutting tool. Another fix would be to check your saw alignment to make sure it’s in the proper place.

If you’re still having trouble cutting your tile, you could have a defect in your wet saw and/or blade.  Rule out these troubleshooting tips before taking your saw to a professional for maintenance.

More Resources:

"How to Cut Porcelain Tiles" via AcornTiles (Video)

"How to Cut Porcelain Tile Without Making a Mess" via Mr Toolship (Video)

"How to Cut Porcelain Tile With Nippers" via SoThatsHowYouDoIt (Video)