Cutting tiles: methods, tools and tips
Hardly any surface can be tiled without cutting. At wall and floor junctions, door frames and around sockets, tiles have to be cut to fit. The tool you need depends on the material, the format and the type of cut. Here is an overview of the common methods and tips for clean edges.
The three main methods at a glance
| Method | Suitable for | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual tile cutter | Straight cuts in earthenware and porcelain stoneware | Fast, clean, no dust, no power needed | Straight cuts only, narrow strips break poorly |
| Angle grinder with diamond cutting disc | Cut-outs, L-cuts, adjustments on site | Flexible, also for cut-outs | Dust, edges need more care |
| Wet tile saw | Many cuts, hard and thick tiles, natural stone | Very straight cuts, little dust thanks to water cooling | More expensive, bulky, water on site |
Straight cuts with the tile cutter
For most straight cuts, the manual tile cutter is the fastest tool. The scoring wheel scores the glaze, then the breaking foot snaps the tile along the line.
- Mark the cutting line on the visible side.
- Place the tile visible side up against the stop.
- Score once with even pressure from end to end. Do not go over the same line twice, or the tile will break unevenly.
- Break the tile with the breaking foot, centred and controlled.
For large-format tiles, the cutter must be long enough to make the cut in one pass.
Cut-outs and L-cuts with the angle grinder
For cut-outs around pipes, corners or edges, there is hardly a way around the angle grinder. This is how you get cleaner cuts:
- Use a thin diamond cutting disc for tiles. It cuts more smoothly and reduces chipping of the glaze.
- Stick masking tape along the cutting line and mark on it. This gives the glaze extra protection.
- Place the tile firmly or clamp it, ideally on a flat surface, and never hold it freely in your hand.
- Do not overcut inside corners: For L-cuts, cut only up to the corner and carefully finish the rest from the back.
- Cut without excessive pressure and let the disc do the work.
What to observe for your safety when working with diamond cutting discs is explained in detail in our guide Diamond cutting discs: safety, use and sharpening.
Holes for sockets and pipes
Round cut-outs for sockets, pipes or fittings are best drilled with a diamond core bit of the right size. With porcelain stoneware, start drilling slowly, let the bit circle slightly until it grips and cool it in between. Many core bits are designed for wax or water cooling; follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Cutting porcelain stoneware
Porcelain stoneware is very hard and dense. Even so, a good tile cutter makes clean straight cuts. For cut-outs and thick slabs, a diamond cutting disc is the better choice. What matters is an even feed and a disc designed for porcelain stoneware.
Finishing the edges
Smooth small chips and sharp edges with a diamond sanding sponge or a sanding pad. For visible edges that are not covered by a trim or joint, it is best to plan with a factory tile edge.
Common mistakes
- Scoring twice: the tile then often breaks crooked.
- Trying to break very narrow strips with the tile cutter: a wet tile saw is the better choice here.
- Carrying on with a blunt disc: this causes chipping and heat. A diamond cutting disc can often be sharpened again in sand-lime brick.
- Dry cutting without respiratory protection: dry cutting produces silica dust. Wear at least an FFP2 mask, FFP3 without extraction.
Matching accessories from Nivilli
- Nivilli Blacky: 125 mm diamond cutting disc for short cuts in heavy ceramics, for corded angle grinders.
- Nivilli Whitey: 125 mm diamond cutting disc for long cuts in light ceramics, for cordless angle grinders.
- Tile spacers and the Spinny tile leveling system for laying after cutting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to cut tiles?
Straight cuts are fastest and cleanest with a manual tile cutter. For cut-outs, L-cuts and adjustments on site, use an angle grinder with a diamond cutting disc. For many cuts or very hard slabs, a wet tile saw is worthwhile.
How do I prevent the glaze from chipping?
A thin diamond cutting disc for tiles, masking tape on the cutting line and an even feed without excessive pressure reduce chipping. Small chips can be smoothed with a diamond sanding sponge.
Can you cut tiles without a tile cutter?
Yes, with an angle grinder and a diamond cutting disc. The edges are usually not quite as straight as with a tile cutter, though. For visible edges, a guide rail or a wet tile saw is worthwhile.