How To Cut Glass Tile

The task of cutting through glass tile might seem somewhat intimidating, given the brittle fragility of this natural material and its tendency to crack or shatter. Nevertheless, it is relatively easy to cut glass tile accurately and neatly, provided that one knows about the specialized tools and techniques to use. 

How Do You Cut Glass Tiles?

Measure the glass tile and mark it with a washable marker pen. Cut the tile using a diamond-bladed wet saw, snip it with a wheeled mosaic nipper, or score the piece with a scoring wheel or bar cutter and snap it with breaker-grozier pliers (or running pliers).

Method 1: Cutting Glass Tiles Manually

The first method is to cut glass tiles manually. You will need a specialized glass cutting tool to perform the job, such as: 

• A scoring wheel
• A bar cutter
• A wheeled mosaic nipper

When using a scoring wheel, or certain kinds of bar cutters, you will also require breaker-grozier pliers (running pliers also work well). These pliers are for snapping glass tiles along the scoring line in a controlled manner. You can also use the serrated jaws to scrape unsightly glass shards (flares) from the cut edge (a technique called grozing).

Here is a quick overview of manual glass cutting tools and the practical steps for using them.  

Glass Cutting Tools	Usage
Scoring Wheel	Round blades that cut into (but not through) glass materials
Bar Cutter	Straight cuts through glass tiles
Wheeled Mosaic Nipper	Making short or irregular cuts in glass tile

Bar Cutter

A bar cutter is a specialized tool for performing straight cuts through tiles. 

The tool has a mounted, sliding blade that scores the glass like cutting tempered glass.

High-end bar cutters often have an additional component called a pressure foot for breaking the tile along the scored line. If you’re using an inexpensive bar cutter model without a pressure foot, you will need pliers.

Before starting, here is a list of the tools and accessories you’ll need:

• Washable marker pen
• A steel ruler (or straight piece of wood)
• Breaker-grozier or running pliers (depending on the bar cutter model)
• Glass rubbing stone
• Cloth rag

Step 1: Measure And Mark The Cut Line

Accurately measure the glass tile with a ruler or measuring tape. 

Use a washable marker pen to mark the desired cut line. 

Step 2: Position The Tile On The Cutter

Place the tile facing upward on the cutting pad of the bar cutter. Make sure to align the cut line with the tool’s guide (a line on the pad indicating the path of the blade).

Step 3: Score The Tile 

Score the glass tile by pulling the sliding blade across it. 

To maximize your probability of success, you can score the other side of the tile in the same position. 

Consider dabbing some drops of glass cutting oil on the glass and blade tip provides lubrication. The oil allows for an easier, cleaner scoring cut, but its application is not essential.  

Step 4: Snap Along The Scored Line

Now you’re ready to snap the glass tile.

Use pliers for this step if the bar cutter is not fitted with a pressure foot. Start by placing the jaws of the pliers on the off-cut side of the tile. 

If you’re using grozier pliers, place them parallel to the scored line. Running pliers should be positioned perpendicular to the line. 

Make sure the tile is stable and hold the pliers firmly, then snap the glass downward in a quick, decisive movement.

Step 5: Smooth The Edges

Lastly, use a glass rubbing stone to smooth the newly-cut edge of the tile and achieve a neat, polished finish. 

Before using the stone, consider gently scraping the serrated teeth of the pliers along the cut edge to remove flares. Note that this technique requires skillful finesse to avoid damaging the tile. 

Remove any remaining fine glass particles with a damp cloth rag.

Scoring Wheel 

Scoring wheels are small, hand-held tools for cutting flat pieces of glass. The tools have between one and six sharp, round blades that cut into (but not through) glass materials.

When using a glass scoring wheel, you’ll require the following:

• Washable marker pen
• Steel ruler (or straight piece of wood)
• Breaker-grozier or running pliers
• Glass rubbing stone
• Cloth rag

Step 1: Take Measurements And Mark The Tile

Measure the tile and indicate the intended cut with a washable marker pen.

Step 2: Position The Tile 

Lay the tile on a flat, smooth work surface to prevent the underside of the glass from being cracked or scratched. Specialized glass cutting boards made from wood or PVC are ideal but not essential.

The tile must be oriented with its front side facing upwards (unless the piece identical on both sides).

Step 3: Score The Tile

Now you are ready to score the tile with the scoring wheel.

Press the scoring wheel blade on the glass firmly (but not too hard), and drag it along the ruler or wooden guideboard. As you pull the blade, listen carefully for a subtle crunching sound to confirm that it is penetrating sufficiently into the tile.

Try to score the tile in a single swift pass, which reduces the chances of the glass from getting chipped or cracked. You can also achieve a cleaner final cut by scoring the tile on both sides (and applying some cutting oil if you wish). 

Step 4: Snap Along The Scored Line 

Clamp the pliers to the off-cut side of the tile. Remember to orient grozier pliers parallel to the scored line. If you are using running pliers, place them perpendicular to the line. 

With a solid grip on the tile, break the tile with a downward motion.

Step 5: Create A Smooth Finished Edge

After breaking the tile with pliers, gently smooth the cut edge with a rubbing stone. Finally, wipe off any fine glass dust with a moist cloth.

Wheeled Mosaic Nipper

Step 1: Mark The Intended Cut

Take a washable marker and draw the line you intend to cut on the glass tile. This step is generally unnecessary when working with glass mosaics. 

Step 2: Put On Safety Goggles

At this point, it is highly advisable to don safety goggles. Wheeled mosaic nippers have a notorious propensity for propelling tiny glass fragments around the work area!

Step 3: Cut (Or Nip) The Tile

Once you are suitably protected, place the blades in the desired position.  

Execute the cut with a single powerful movement so the blades slice completely through the tile.

Method 2: Cutting Glass Tile With A Wet Saw

The second way to cut glass tile is with a power tool called a wet saw. 

This power tool trends (available in hand-held and mounted versions) has a water dispensing system that lubricates and cools the diamond-tipped blade and the tile, producing a clean cut with minimal chipping. Note that hand-held wet saws have hoses fed by an external water supply. 

Though more expensive than manual cutting tools, wet saws are excellent for cutting significant quantities of glass tile rapidly. Wet saws are also advantageous if you’re cutting glass with a higher-than-average rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

To cut glass tile with a wet saw, you will need these tools and accessories:

• A specialized glass tile blade
• Cut-resistant rubber gloves 
• Protective eye-wear
• Washable marker
• Rubbing stone
• Cloth rag

Step 1: Measure The Tile And Draw The Cut Line

Take the requisite measurement and mark the cut line with the marker pen.

Step 2: Wear Safety Gear

Cutting glass with a different types of saw covered in water is a potentially hazardous endeavor! For this reason, put on safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying glass fragments, and put on rubber gloves so you can maintain a stable grip on the tile.

Step 3: Switch On The Saw And Allow Water To Flow 

Activate the wet saw and wait until the water flows evenly on both sides of the blade in a consistent stream. Adjust the water valve to increase the flow rate if necessary.

Step 4: Perform The Cut

If the wet saw is mounted, hold the glass tile and move it through the blade in a slow and steady motion. Keep the tile snug against the cutting guide at all times. 

When working with a hand-held wet saw, use a guide rail attachment or improvised guideboard to ensure you cut in a straight line. 

Step 5: Create A Smooth Edge

After performing the cut, grab a fine-grit glass rubbing stone and work it carefully over the edge of the cut. Conclude the procedure by removing fine debris particulate with a rag.

Conclusion

Cutting glass tile can be slightly tricky because the material is so brittle and delicate. To accomplish the task successfully, one should use a scoring wheel, bar cutter, or wet saw, as well as a rubbing stone (grozier or running pliers might also be required).