A tile cutter for your next flooring project

A tile cutter is not an easy tool to use if you have never used one before. Before starting to cut tiles, you should always practice using a tile cutter on some scrap materials first. There are different types of flooring tiles, so the tile cutter you use depends of the type of tile you need to cut. The tile cutter are designed to make straight cuts in tiles, such as when you need to cut them in half to fit against a wall. They work in a manner similar to a glasscutter, the tile id cut with a wheel and then snapped. However, you should not use tile cutters for cutting most unglazed ceramic tile, solid porcelain tile or natural stone tile.

How to cut flooring tiles

If you have vinyl floor tiles, you may need to warm up the tiles first so that they will be easier to cut. Cutting cold vinyl tiles makes them easier to crack and then they will be spoiled. The heat also keeps the tile cutter from skidding across the surface of the tile. A typical tile cutter for vinyl tiles is a sharp utility knife, but you will need to have extra blades. In order to cut them properly, you should make straight cuts against the edge of a metal ruler. For your own safety, it is always better to cut away from yourself.

Cutting ceramic tiles is a much more difficult project. When using tile cutters to cut ceramic tiles, you should align the tile with the marked arrow on the cutter. Place the guide into position and tighten. Holding the handle firmly, you should press down on the wheel and pull the cutter towards you until the tile has been scored along its length. Pull the handle forward and push down on the length and the ceramic tile should crack neatly along the cut you made.

It takes practice to learn how to cut flooring tiles accurately, especially if you have to make curved cuts. If you are not used to the procedure you may have to get someone to help you use the tile cutter for such a project.