Often asked: Is Ceramic Tile Hard To Cut?

Is it hard to cut ceramic tile?

Common 1/4-inch tile found in most tile stores that’s used for bathroom walls and kitchen back splashes is not nearly as hard as porcelain. These can be nipped by hand or cut easily with a traditional snap tile cutter. It won’t take long for you to see how easy it is to use a traditional snap cutter and tile nippers.

What is the hardest tile to cut?

Best blade to cut porcelain tiles Porcelain is the hardest kind of tile and the hardest of the three materials mentioned in this article, so you will need a diamond blade for “ultra-hard materials”. A standard diamond blade will not get the work done, meaning that using one would mean wasting your money and time.

Which tile material is easiest to cut?

Thanks to its relatively soft surface, homeowners can cut ceramic tile with a simple tile cutter —a piece of cake when you consider the far more involved process of cutting porcelain tile.

Can a hacksaw cut tile?

A manual tile cutter, hacksaw or wet saw are generally best for porcelain tiles used in bathrooms. Whatever tool you use the process is similar: score a shallow cut in the tile and then use the brittle nature of the porcelain to snap the tile apart.

Will a ceramic tile cutter cut glass?

Tile cutters are available in both electric and manual types, and are used to cut ceramic wall and floor tile. Glass tiles are more fragile than other tile materials, so while you can cut glass with a tile cutter, the glass may chip or crack easily.

Are porcelain tiles difficult to cut?

This makes porcelain exceedingly hard and difficult to cut with just a simple tile cutter. For this reason it is customary to use an electric tile cutting machine with a fine blade to stop chipping as the best way of cutting porcelain tiles.

Can you cut porcelain tile with a tile cutter?

A tile cutter works much like a glass cutter. This is a tool frequently used to cut ceramic tile, but it can also be used with porcelain tiles. Because porcelain is harder and more brittle, a tile cutter can be somewhat more difficult to use on porcelain tile. This is another tool that does only straight cuts.

Which is more expensive porcelain or ceramic tile?

Cost of Porcelain vs. Ceramic. While both ceramic and porcelain are less expensive than most renovation materials, their price differences are due to their density differences. Porcelain tiles are therefore more expensive than ceramic tiles.

How can I tell if my tile is ceramic or porcelain?

The easiest and fastest way to tell a ceramic tile from a porcelain tile is to take a look at its edge. A ceramic tile, whether for floor or wall use, has a glaze on top of the surface, giving it its color and finish. Porcelain tiles may be glazed but are frequently not.

What is better porcelain or ceramic tile?

Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic, and therefore less porous. Meaning they’re harder, therefore more durable and absorb less water. This makes them more suited to high footfall areas which will see heavy use.

Why is my ceramic tile chipping when cutting?

If a tile chips, it is generally not a manufacturing fault but is the cause of one of the following accidents against the tile itself: Dropping a heavy or hard object onto the ceramic or porcelain tile. This may cause the surface to crack or chip.

Do you cut ceramic tile face up or down?

Regardless of the kind of tile you’re cutting, the best method is to cut with the front of the tile facing up. The front is the side that will be exposed once you lay the tile. This method ensures the smoothest finished edge on the tile with the least amount of chipping.

Why wont my tile cutters cut straight?

Try double scoring the end that is not braking correctly. you could just be missing some pressure on the scoring action. Try slowly breaking the tile with smaller push down actions with the breaker on the tile and slowly move up the tile doing the same instead of one swift snapping action.