How to Cut Tile

In this video, This Old House tile contractor Joe Ferrante explains how to cut tile.

Steps:

1. To make a few simple, straight cuts, use carbide-tipped pencil to score glazed tile.
2. Snap tile along scored line using tile nippers.
3. For quickly making many straight cuts, use a score-and-snap tile cutter.
4. Hold the tile firmly against fence.
5. Extend the handle forward, push down, then pull back to score tile.
6. Slide the handle to the center of the tile and press down to snap the tile along the scored line.
7. For cutting notches into ceramic and natural stone tiles, use an electric wet saw.
8. Fill the saw’s reservoir with water, turn on the motor, then slowly feed the tile into the blade. Make the first cut, then rotate tile and make the second cut to form the notch.
9. To cut round holes in tile, use a drill/driver fitted with a carbide-grit hole saw.
10. Press the hole saw against the tile and slowly squeeze the trigger to cut through the glazed surface.
11. Once the hole saw’s pilot bit has penetrated the glazing, increase the drill speed to bore through the body of the tile.