How To Cut 24-Inch Porcelain Tile (Step by Step Guide)
Porcelain tiles are most known for their distinguishable beauty, rock-hard quality, and durability. To make porcelain tile work within your installation area, it’s vital that you know how to cut it accurately.
These tiles are designed to be tremendously dense and rigid, proving some challenges when handling. Cutting porcelain tile, especially the large 24-inch tiles, require special care and attention. While making the cuts on large pieces is much of the same process as any other size, it’s important that you support the additional weight.
There are a number of different ways and tools that you can use to cut 24-inch porcelain tiles. These include using a tile nipper, angle grinder, wet tile saw, and more. Of these, the wet tile saw is arguably the best equipment for cutting porcelain tiles.
We’ll examine all of the various methods for cutting 24-inch porcelain tiles and walk you through the entire process.
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What is Porcelain Tile?
Porcelain tile is very often confused for ceramic tile. However, it’s actually a type of ceramic tile that is constructed from a denser, finer clay and fired at more intense temperatures. Porcelain tile is primarily found in bathrooms and kitchens, but can be used in almost any room to enwrap both floors and walls.
It’s a great choice for kitchen countertops, wall coverings, and shower and bathroom walls. However, its use as a flooring material is where it really shines. The tiles come in a variety of colors and designs while their incredibly durable nature makes them very popular among consumers.
Porcelain floor tile requires very little maintenance, will look great for years to come and will outperform most other tile options in regards to durability and long-term appearance. Some options are made to resemble stone, allowing you to achieve this look for a fraction of the cost.
How to Cut 24-Inch Porcelain Tile
Whether you’re installing tile porcelain tile on your bathroom floor, kitchen countertops, or shower walls, the large 24-inch pieces are very popular. However, because of the extra weight, it’s important that you know how to properly cut them to prevent any loss or damage to the tiles.
Depending on preference or access to materials, you have several options for cutting your porcelain tiles. The following are just a few of the methods to choose from:
Cutting 24-Inch Porcelain Tile Using a Wet Tile Saw
Using a wet tile saw is arguably the best method for cutting porcelain tile. Wet tile saws use their diamond blade and water to make clean, smooth cuts on 24-inch porcelain tiles. While owning one of these saws isn’t always economically possible, they can often be rented.
The only downside to cutting with a wet tile saw is that they can potentially chip the surface if you are not careful. When cutting tile, it’s always possible to cause accidental chipping. To avoid this, make sure the saw’s blade is adjustable, work slowly, and use a new, fresh blade.
Additionally, notching the tile prior to cutting is a great way to prevent any chips from occurring in the tile. Follow the steps below to notch your porcelain tile:
- Position the wet tile saw blade on the tile
- Mark the spot where you’ll be making the notch
- Place the tile so that the mark is facing the blade. But, do not allow them to touch until you turn on the saw.
- Turn on the saw and push the tile towards the blade.
- For small tiles, cut an inch notch. For large, 24-inch tiles you can go up to 2 inches.
After you’ve notched your 24-inch porcelain tile, to perform the cut, adhere to the below tips:
- For best results, always cut slowly and use a freshly sharpened blade.
- Mark the cutting line using a wax pencil before you begin cutting the tile. This step is mandatory and will ensure that the cut is precise.
- Fill the reservoir up the water so that the blade dips into it.
- Place your tile depending on your particular saw and whether it cuts from above or below.
- Position your saw in a manner that allows it to cut into the tile 1/8 inch deep. You do not want to cut more than half or all the way through the tile.
- Make sure that the tile is completely level against the blade.
- After you’ve marked the edges, use your saw to score the line. Carefully apply pressure to the saw until the tile snaps.
Cutting 24-Inch Porcelain Tile with a Tile Nipper
Tile nippers are a great way to cut circular pieces of tiles or create arcs. While they can also perform small regular cuts, these types of round cuts are often too difficult to handle with a wet tile saw.
This cutting method is very popular in the construction industry because of the nipper’s functionality and the fact that most cuts are only needed for a small section of the tile. Cut your 24-inch porcelain tile using tile nippers by following the steps outlined below:
- Prep the tile you want to cut by scoring a line that indicates the edge of the tile you want to cut.
- Using the tile nipper, position it on the center edge of the line, and carefully apply pressure. This will break the intended piece off of the tile.
- Clean it up by make small nips and move slowly as some pieces may still be stuck onto the tile.
- After you’ve finished nipping, use a rub brick to smooth out the sharp edges.
Experts recommend only using tile nippers when cutting curvy pieces of your porcelain tile. For larger, straight and angled cuts, opt for the wet tile saw.
Cutting 24-Inch Porcelain Tile Using an Angle Grinder
Aside from the wet tile saw, an angle grinder is the next best option for cutting porcelain tiles. Angle grinders have the ability to make multiple cuts of various shapes and sizes. They can make square cuts, straight cuts, circle cuts, L cuts, and more. This method comes in handy when you need to cut tiles to fit around toilet pipes.
To cut 24-inch porcelain tile using an angle grinder, follow the steps below:
- Mark the shape that you are intending to cut on both sides of the tile using a marker or electrician’s tape.
- Using the angle grinder, cautiously follow the outline of the shape with very little pressure to achieve the cleanest cut.
- Make sure that you are aware of what side is the waste so that you don’t cut the wrong pieces of the tile.
- Turn over the tile to make multiple small cuts.
- Once you achieve the desired cut, smooth the edges with an abrasive wheel.
Angle grinders are the ideal tools because they can adapt to most types of surfaces. With this method, all you need to do is pull the angle grinder along the edge that you want to cut and it does all the work for you.
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Wrapping It Up
While the methods outlined above aren’t the only ways to cut 24-inch porcelain tiles, they are the most effective to achieve common types of cuts. Armed with the proper knowledge, tools, and care, you will be able to successfully accomplish smooth, clean cuts in no time at all.
For more porcelain tile reads, check out: “ Does Porcelain Tile Need To Be Sealed?” and “ How to Install 12×24 Porcelain Tile on a Shower Wall.”
Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.
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