How to Cut Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are made by baking a mixture of clay, crushed quartz, sand and non-metallic material at a temperature of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit in a kiln. This process make them hard and water-resistant. Their hardness becomes a problem when the need arises to cut them into size and shape. You can undertake the task of cutting them decently, with the help of some cutting tools.

Cutting Ceramic Tiles

Before you learn how to install ceramic tile on to the floors, you need to first get the hang of how to go about cutting them to size. The following description is some information about cutting tools, which may help.

Tools for Cutting Ceramic Tiles

If you are not going to install the tiles in the near or distant future, then it is better not to buy cutting tools. You can inquire about renting them at your local hardware store. Don't hesitate to shell out extra money to rent good cutting tools, because tools that can be bought cheap, may not have enough cutting power, to serve your purpose.

1. Carbide-Tipped Pencil: When the number of tiles to cut is small, and the cuts you are required to execute are straight and easy, employ a carbide-tipped pencil to score the glazed side of the tile. Using a tile nipper's snappy jaws; a helpful cutting tool, break the tile along the scored line. The jaws of tile nipper make circular breaks along the scored line. To achieve a smooth edge you will have to put a little bit of extra work and patience.
2. Ceramic Cutter: A ceramic tile cutter is easy to operate and can be used when you have to cut a multiple number of tiles. Lay a tile marked with a guide line, which is drawn with a pen, along the tile to be scored. Be careful about locking the tile firmly into the place. Score the glazed surface of tile along the line by operating tile cutter's wheel tipped with carbide. Apply pressure on the tile cutter's lever to move it downward. The lever transfers the pressure to the tile, which snaps along the scored line in two parts.
3. Hacksaw: A hacksaw is useful to make a 'L' type cut on the tile. A hacksaw, fitted with a blade which has carbide-tipped teeth, is easy to use and lasts longer than a standard one. While executing the 'L' shaped cut on the tile, use a carbide-tipped hacksaw to cut along the vertical arm of the 'L' shaped cut. Execute the second cut, which is smaller in length, using the tile cutter.
4. Drill: Power drills or hand-operated drills can be used to make holes into them. While going through the tough, glazed part of the tile, operate the power drills carefully.
5. Carbide Rod Blade: If you have to cut a tile to achieve a curved cut, then a carbide rod blade is useful. Draw the shape on the tile, and saw the tile using the same carbide rod blade.

Ceramic Tile Ideas

If you are thinking of installing ceramic tile flooring, decorating walls with ceramic tile patterns or improving your kitchen design by coming up with some backsplash tiles, then here are a couple of design ideas that may help you:

1. Murals: Manufacturers can transfer drawings or pictures provided by you onto tiles. These tiles can be used to make wall murals.
2. Portrait: Manufacturers can create tiles with photographs, screen printed onto them.

After installing the tiles to lay the flooring or backsplash, you must install ceramic tile trim, to complete the installation process. Apply the adhesive to the back of tile and stick it like a post stamp, in the proper place carefully.

One task that most people fail to envisage in full, when they decide to install them on their own, is cutting the tiles. They are tough, utterly impractical and they assume shape according to their wish when you are cutting them to fit your requirement.