How to cut tiles with a spring-loaded knife

Carefully laying out a tiling job can minimise the number of tiles that need to be cut, but no amount of planning can eliminate the need to cut some of the tiles where the surface of the tiles is close to a wall or cabinet. Knowing how to cut tiles is therefore an important part of tiling. A clean, smooth-edged section of tile will make the entire tiling job look professional, while a rough, broken cut will always attract visual attention - no matter how well your tile installation is done.

Professionals often use electric wet saws to cut ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles for wall, floor and shower installations, but for smaller jobs, most DIYers find that a simple snap-on tile cutter is sufficient. Widely available at home improvement centres, tile outlets and online retailers, the snap-on cutter in many styles uses a non-slip reinforced steel base with a rubber mat on which the tiles rest. Double steel rails guide the cutting wheel to slice the tiles apart, while the pressure pad snaps the tiles into place.

The tiles are placed on a metal ridge in the cutter that runs parallel to the path of the tungsten carbide scoring wheel. The tiles are scored by firmly moving the scoring wheel across the surface of the tiles. The tiles are then snapped on their score line by placing the pressure bar pad on the tiles and applying a strong downward force on each side.

Snap-on tile cutters are available in many styles, with prices ranging from as little as $20 to as much as $200. Higher-end models are heavier and more stable, and they may have a bevel guide that makes it easier to cut tiles at an angle, which may be helpful for diamond-patterned tile layouts. However, even budget models, such as the $20 HDX 14-inch rip tile cutter from Home Depot used in this demonstration, are perfectly adequate for small to medium-sized jobs.

Limitations of Snap-On Tile Cutters

In general, standard tiles up to 3/8" thick can be easily cut with a snap-on tile cutter. However, there are limitations to the use of this tool. Ceramic floor tiles over 3/8" thick are difficult to cut with this tool, as are porcelain and natural stone tiles, both of which are significantly harder than standard ceramic tiles. Where snap cutters are not practical, the alternative is to use an electric wet saw, which uses a diamond blade to cut through these materials with ease. A wet saw is also needed when you have any large tile jobs that require a lot of cutting, as it makes the job easier. Wet saws can be hired at tool hire shops and home centres, but DIYers who do a lot of tiling work may want to invest in an affordable model themselves.

Safety considerations

Eye protection should be worn when using a snap-on tile cutter. It is not uncommon for small, sharp pieces of tile to fly out the moment the tool snaps into place.