Porcelain tiles are a great choice to give an incredible aesthetic look to your kitchen and bathroom. It’s made of a hard material which makes it difficult to cut it without breaking. That’s why I’ve come up with this guide containing different methods to cut porcelain tile without breaking it.

How to Cut Porcelain Tile Without Breaking It

There are multiple methods you can use to cut a porcelain tile without breaking it. But I have selected only the best ones so that you can cut your tiles easily.

1. Use a Wet Tile Saw

Using a wet tile saw is the easiest way to cut a porcelain tile without breaking it. A great tile saw will provide you with a smooth and clean edge within a matter of seconds. The only downside of the wet tile saw is that it’s very expensive. 

But if you need to cut porcelain tiles in bulk, it’s worth the investment, even for an entry level wet tile saw. Use the following steps to cut a porcelain tile without breaking it using a wet tile saw.

Notch the Tile

First, you need to notch your porcelain tile to make sure it doesn’t break during the cutting process.

1. Mark the tile from where you need to cut it.
2. Place the tile on the roller system and make sure the cut line and the saw’s blade are aligned.
3. Secure the meter guard tightly so that it can guide the tile during the cutting process.
4. Turn the tile saw on and start feeding the tile to the blade slowly. Don’t apply force and let the blade cut the tile.
5. Turn off the tile saw when it has made about an inch long notch.

Complete the Cut

1. Once you have porcelain tile with a small notch, pick it up and change its side.
2. Start feeding the tile to the blade from the other side and complete the cut by reaching the notch.

This two-step method will keep your porcelain tile from breaking.

2. Use a Tile Cutter

A tile cutter is typically used to cut ceramic tiles but you can also use it to cut porcelain. The speed at which a tile cutter cuts the tiles is the best feature of this method. You can also make adjustments to the cut types you need to make based on your porcelain tile’s size.

The working mechanism of a tile cutter is pretty similar to a paper cutter and the only difference is that you’ll need to use sandstone to rub the edge of the tile for a smoother finish. Use the following steps to use a tile cutter to cut a porcelain tile without breaking it.

1. Mark a cut line on the tile where you need to make the cut.
2. Place the tile on the rubber mat of the cutter by aligning the cut line to the cutter wheel.
3. Grab the handle and push it forward to reach the other end as the cutter wheel cuts the tile.
4. After reaching the end, press the handle down gently to split the porcelain tile into two pieces.

The only downside of using a tile cutter is that your tiles will have a very sharp edge and you’ll need to use a tile file or sandstone to smoothen it out.

3. Use an Angle Grinder

Using an angle grinder is also a great way to cut a porcelain tile. You can use this tool to make cuts in different shapes and sizes including square cuts, straight cuts, and L cuts.

However, it’s most commonly used to make curved cuts on the tile to account for the shower line or pipe in your washroom. Use the following steps to use an angle grinder to cut porcelain tiles.

1. Use a measuring tape and a marker to mark out the shape or line on your porcelain tile.
2. Start your angle grinder and begin the cutting process by following the marked line.
3. Run the angle grinder into the waste side of the tile and proceed slowly.
4. After getting the desired cut, use the abrasive wheel of the grinder to smoothen the tile’s edge.

You’ll need to let the grinder cut the tile. Don’t force it to speed up the process or you’ll end up with a chipped or broken tile.

4. Use a Diamond Wheel Wet Cutter

A diamond wheel wet tile cutter is a great tool that can easily cut coarse and tough materials. It comes with a blade that features diamonds on its edge that facilitate the cutting process.

The method of using this tool is pretty similar to a tile saw but it’s way cheaper.So, if you’re on a budget, you can invest in a diamond wheel wet cutter without spending a pretty penny.

You can use the following steps to use a diamond wheel cutter to cut porcelain tile without breaking it.

1. Grab the tile and make a cut line using a marker where you need to make the cut.
2. Place the tile on the diamond wheel cutter so that the cut line meets the blade.
3. Secure the cutter’s fence properly so that it can guide your tile while you’re feeding it to the blade.
4. Pick up the tile and turn on the cutter.
5. Place the tile again and start cutting it to make a one-inch-long exit line. This step is important to make sure that the blade doesn’t break the tile as it reaches the end.
6. Remove the tile to switch its side and start feeding it again to the blade until it reaches the exit line.

This way, you’ll be able to cut your porcelain tile without breaking it. Just, make sure that you feed the tile to the blade gently.

Tips To Cut Porcelain Tile Without Breaking

Keep the following tips in mind while cutting porcelain tiles no matter which method you choose.

• Always wear protective gear like safety goggles, a thick pair of cut-resistant gloves, and earbuds while using power tools.
• Always use a sharp blade and replace your current one if it’s dulled to keep porcelain tiles from breaking.
• Read the user’s manual of the machine you’re using carefully and follow are the recommendations for proper setup and safe use.
• Never stand on a wet or slippery floor while cutting porcelain tiles, especially if you’re using a wet tile saw, diamond wheel wet cutter, or angle grinder.
• If your machine’s blade cuts from the bottom up, consider placing your tile face down and vice versa.
• The biggest reason for breaking or chipping a hard tile is applying too much pressure. Always apply gentle pressure and let the blade cut the tile.
• Never try to cut porcelain tiles if you’re in a hurry and if you need to take a break, make sure you turn your machine off before leaving your workspace.

FAQs

Final Words

Installing porcelain tiles in your home is a lifetime investment in terms of aesthetics and functionality. However, cutting a porcelain tile accurately can be a challenging task if you don’t know the right method to follow. 

We hope this guide will help you cut a porcelain tile without breaking it using different tools to complete your home improvement projects easily.