When cutting tiles, it is important to have the right tools. Why? Whether it's a  tile cutter, tile saw or tile scorer, using the right tools will ensure a clean and tidy cut each time, making your life easier when it comes to fixing that tile to the floor or wall. 

Read on for everything you need to know about how to cut tiles in your home. Hopefully you find it both enjoyable and rewarding even if you're a DIY newbie.

Marshalltown 17 Tile Cutter

Planning & preparation to cut tiles

Cutting tiles can leave lots of sharp edges, as well as fragments, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Before you do anything make sure you are wearing the appropriate protective equipment:

• Gloves
• Goggles
• Tile marker
• Kneepads (a nice thing to have as tiling tends to involve a lot of time spent on your hands and knees, but they aren't essential.)

What is the best way to cut tiles? 

Tiles can be cut in a variety of ways depending on the tile and the way in which the tile needs to be cut. If you are wondering how to cut ceramic tiles, then a tile saw or tile scribe is your choice to have a professional finish.

When it comes to porcelain tiles, which tend to be stronger, then make sure you use a suitable tile cutter and the correct blade. More often than not you will find that an electric tile cutter with the correct diamond-blade is the best option. However, in bathrooms, where you might have to cut around toilets, for those cuts that cannot be achieved using a machine, then invariably a tile nipper is the perfect tool for the job.

How to cut tiles using a manual tile cutter

Marshalltown 36 Tile Cutter

Manual tile cutters (sometimes known as score and snap or rail cutters) are perfect for cutting ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tiles. Here's how to cut tiles using a manual tile cutter:

• Place the tile in the tile cutter, square it up against the plate, grab the wheel, and mark the tile so that it aligns.
• To score a line, firmly press down on the cutter's handle and push forward over the tile. if the line is scored more then once, the tile should break.
• To break the tile, grasp the handle and press down with increasing force. To prevent the tile from breaking into many pieces, do not apply excessive pressure.
• If the cut isn't clean, and the edges of the tile look slightly rough, use a tile file to smooth the edges.

The only downside to a manual tile cutter is that if you are planning on cutting thicker porcelain tiles, such as garden tiles, then you will need to invest in an electric tile cutter or wet saw.

When it comes to tiling, you can't be overprepared. The more working equipment you have, the quicker you'll be able to complete your project. With this in mind its also worth investing in a scoring wheel replacement for your tile cutter, just in case.

How to use an electric tile cutter

Vitrex 450w Torque Master Power Wet Saw

Electric tile cutters (also known as wet cutters or wet saw) use water to keep both the blade and tile cool at all times. This ensures a better cut, less friction through the tile (preventing cracking), less dust and a longer-lasting blade. These particular cutters tend to be used to cut hard porcelain, marble, granite and other natural stones (as well as outdoor tiles). 

They are equally easy to use as their manual counterparts. Here is how to use an electric tile cutter:

• Make sure that the operational voltage and the electrical supply are compatible
• Check that the cable and plug are not damaged and that the safety guard is in place.
• Make sure the water level is topped up.
• Press the area of the tile you want to cut gently against the blade and let it do the work.

Cutting tiles with an angle grinder

If you are wondering how to cut tiles without a tile cutter, you can use an angle grinder to the job done. However, they spin much faster than wet cutters, so you must ensure you have the right blade.

Always check the manufacturer's guidelines on which disc to use prior to staring your project. Using the wrong blade on an angle grinder can cause friction, making the tile heat up too fast, often causing crack and chipping.

Here is how to use an angle grinder to cut tiles:

• On both sides of the tile, mark where you want to cut the tile.
• Lay out the tile so that it is level. Depending on the kind of tile you have make sure you have the appropriate blade.
• Clamp your tile in place.
• To get a clean cut, guide the blade along the mark you made earlier.
• Lastly, even out the tile's edges for polishing, you can use sandpaper, a rubbing stone, or the blade's flat side.

How to use tile nippers

Tile nippers are brilliant for cutting small, rounded edges on ceramic and porcelain tiles that are up to 8mm thick (as well as for cutting smaller glass mosaics).

When using tile nipper:

• It is always advisable to mark the area that needs to be cut with a marker and then score using a scribe before making your cuts with your tile nipper.
• Take your time with your tile nippers, making slow, gradual cuts. That way you avoid snipping off too much.
• Don't for get to wear your gloves and safety goggles when nipping and smooth off any rough edges with a tile file before fitting your tiles.

How to cut quarry tiles

Cutting quarry tiles follows a similar process to cutting other types of tiles, although they can snap more easily. For the cleanest cut, we recommend using either a wet cutter or an angle grinder, follows by sandpaper or a rubbing stone to smooth the edges.

Which ever method you choose for cutting quarry tiles, take caution and apply gentle pressure to avoid damaging the tiles.

Watch our video

Tile Warehouse has teamed up with YouTuber Proper DIY to show you how to cut both ceramic and porcelain tiles at home. This short video also includes advice on using Tile Nippers and Tile Files. 

Need more information?

If you have any questions about cutting tiles, then contact our Customer Service team using our web chat facility. They will be more than happy to help.