Are you preparing to replace your kitchen counter? Are you redoing your bathroom floor? Whatever your home upgrade project may be, you will need to consider what type of materials and equipment you need for your upgrade. Cutting porcelain tiles doesn’t have to stress you out. Even if you are a newbie at tile setting, you can still do a great job by following these tile cutter best practices and choosing professional tiling tools. When it comes to working with tile, the two main tools you need for cutting are tile cutters and wet saws. While these are the two best cutting tools for DIYers, which is best for your specific job? Check out our guide for choosing the right tool for your project and learn about the pros and cons of each.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tile Cutter vs. Wet Saw

Tile Composition

There are many different varieties of tile: ceramic, clay, porcelain, stone, and more, but the most common tiles you will use are the first three. Ceramic is made of sand, water, and clay. Porcelain is made of a denser type of clay. Clay tiles are 100% clay. These tile options are usually glazed for indoor applications, or unglazed for roofing or outdoor tile. Knowing the tile composition will determine the type of cutting tool you need.

Measuring the Floor Plan

Your floor plan refers to the way you will be laying down the tile. There are different spatial requirements for each room or area, so measuring the floor plan will ensure that you choose the right amount of tile and purchase enough materials to complete the job. Accurate measuring is imperative. Begin by measuring the floor’s boundaries, diagonal interiors, width, and height. Then, measure one square of sample tile. Use these numbers to figure out how many tiles you will need for your project. Be sure to account for abnormal boundaries as well.

Cutting the Tile

In many cases, you won’t be working with a perfectly square-shaped room that fits multiples of your exact tile shape. Cutting tiles is part of the process and is the only way to make most of these tiling projects work. The two main cutting options are tile cutters and wet saws. The right tool depends on a variety of factors such as budget, project size, tile material, personal skill, and more. Here’s what you need to know about each option, and the pros and cons of tile cutters and wet saws.

Tile Cutters

Tile cutters are manual machines that work by placing tiles inside the cutters and scoring them. Then, these tiles break along the scored line and are ready to be installed.

Tile Cutter Pros

• More affordable than wet saws
• Portable
• Operation does not require professional skill
• Great for smaller projects, straight borders, and soft tiles

Tile Cutter Cons

• Harder tiles do not score well using tile cutters
• Cannot be used on glass tiles
• Breaking tiles along the score can be challenging
• It may take a few tries to get it right

Wet Saws

Wet saws work great on hard tiles and larger projects. They operate using electricity to give the operator more ease and less need for human power. Wet saws use a diamond blade, which is strong and hard enough to cut even the thickest tiles, and the guide keeps the tile cuts straight.

Wet Saw Pros

• Includes a guide to cut straight tiles
• Tiles can be cut into intricate shapes with skill
• Able to create curved tiles
• Cuts harder tile materials
• Ideal for large projects
• Fast operation

Wet Saw Cons

• Large apparatus—not portable
• Units are large
• Takes time to learn how to use it
• Greater safety risk
• More expensive

Get All the Equipment and Tools You Need at Centura Tools

These tile cutter and wet saw best practices and facts should help you get on the right track as you begin planning and preparing for your tiling project. However, sometimes the best choices for your project are not as clear as you might hope. Sometimes the type of tile material, cost of materials, and time to complete the project influence the equipment you need. If you’re short on time or don’t have the luxury to purchase expensive equipment, how can you still ensure a quality tiling project? For questions and challenges like these, it’s best to consult the experts.

If tools and equipment are what you need or if you need expert advice about your upcoming tiling project, look no further than Centura Tools. We offer a variety of products including tile cutters, large format tile tools, in-floor heating products, Schluter products, tile leveling systems, flooring products, high-end tools, professional equipment for flooring and tile installers, and more.

We stand out from our competitors because we source our tile installation tools and products from around the world to ensure our customers are getting the best international brands. Products from Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. fill our shelves, and we pride ourselves on offering the best prices and products on the global market.

If you are looking for something you don’t see in our store, let us know and we can source the specific items you need. Contact us at (416) 785-3311 or visit our store to see our amazing products. Our professionals will be available to help you make the right decisions about your tiling project.