How to cut ceramic tiles?

Question

I am going to try to install ceramic tile in my bathroom. I have to do wall tile and floor tile. Since I have never installed tile before, I was wondering how in the world to make the circular cuts for the pipes and toilet flange. i am using porcelain tile

Answer 1

To make holes in ceramic tile you will need a diamond or carbide hole saw. They come in various sizes to fit the pipes. I believe that large hardware stores like Lowe's and Home depot as well as plumbing supply stores have these.

Answer 2

bathrooms are never places where a first time installer should start.  rob had the best answer if you choose to go through and attempt it yourself, but there are mainy other factors involved besides cutting circles in your tiles, such as the durock for the walls of the shower, the shower pan liner, shower pan mudding; even tub installations can be tricky with durock and tile down on the ledge of the tub.  porcelain tile is one of the hardest materials to work with, because it's such a strong material.  it's tough.  the money involved with renting the water saw, angle grinder and any and all hole drilling bits and other materials involved, isn't worth it in the long run.  the last place you want to mess up is in a shower where water is involved.  could cost more in the long run.   i highly recommend hiring a professional, experienced tile installer to do the job for you.  good luck.

Answer 3

to make the circular cuts you can cut numerous parallel lines to form the circle...you should have used a pencil to draw the circle on the tile, then with hand nippers, nip off all the lines you have cut, when done you should have a circle.

Answer 4

for circular cuts you will need a hand tile cutter -- which takes little pieces off at a time.

For straight cuts you will need a wet tile cutter, it is rentable at most home improvement stores if you are just doing it for yourself.

Answer 5

    Your best bet if your a 1st timer is to have everything layed out and know what your going to do ahead of time..Rent a  wet saw to make all your cuts and have a helper / runner to do these if possible.. This will cut down on your time and rental.Straight cuts can be done on a hand cutter but may be harder for the 1 st timer especialy for the beginner w/  some porcelains..Holes can be cut by top and back cutting a square hole since some  pipes will have covers.. If not you sometimes you have to split a tile and nip or cut a slot for the pipe..Stool flanges and diverter covers can be nipped   sometimes so a pair of tile nippers are a good investment...

   To start center the tile in room and lay out.. If you end w/ 1/2 a tile or smaller recenter the tile  so center line is in the middle of the tile.. Some times you have to make small adjustments in this to get a good lay out  GL

Answer 6

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Answer 7

ceramic or porcelain u need to use a tile cutter ma man. dont forget to use underlay and PLAN for goodness sake. start in the corner of the room everyone can see, so if u walk into the room, start at the corner u face first. plan plan and make sure u plan it out bro