Published on June 30th, 2022

Last updated on February 6th, 2023

How To Cut Mosaic Tiles? Ultimate Guide

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
blue mosaic tiles on the wall

In almost all cases, each home decor element requires special care. The same applies to floor and wall tiles. But before you deal with the procedure, you need to find out what the mosaic tiles are and only then how to cut them.

What Are Mosaic Tiles?

Mosaic tiles are one of the popular home decors. They are often used as an addition to a wall or floor. They cover the surface with it and create eye-catching and original pictures that can attract attention and provide an enjoyable view.

In addition to walls, mosaic tiles are also used on the floor, which helps restore the beauty of the room or reinterpret it in a new way.

One of the key reasons for using mosaic tiles is their safety. Using such a decor on the bathroom floor allows you to achieve the anti-slip effect due to the smaller distance between the decorations. Thus, the wet surface after a shower will become absolutely safe, and you won’t have a reason to worry about your life and safety.

Why Should One Cut The Tile?

process of cutting mosaic tiles
Process of cutting mosaic tiles

Everyone wants to make their rooms original and beautiful. However, sometimes it can be challenging to achieve due to the fact that all the necessary materials may need to be processed. But you can’t do high-quality work without the required knowledge and skills.

For example, it should be cut to properly install a mosaic tile. This is because the required surface can be of different sizes and lengths, and the decorations are supplied exclusively in a rectangular or square shape. Read on to know how to do the procedure correctly and what mosaic tile cutting techniques you can use.

Precautions Before The Procedure

cutting mosaic tiles with saw
Process of cutting mosaic tiles with saw

Before performing this procedure, you should also take care of your health and the people around you. Always protect your hands while cutting mosaic tiles and use eye protection during the procedure. It is necessary to protect your body in case the tile bursts and bounces into you.

Diamond Saw Blade

Using a diamond-based saw, you can achieve excellent results when cutting the wall decoration. Before the procedure, you need to find the best quality diamond disc. The better your tool, the smoother and more even your cuts will be.

The procedure using a diamond saw is as follows:

  1. You need to place the tile on the work surface and use a ruler and pencil to mark the cut line;
  2. After that, place the decoration on a soft surface, fix it on both sides, and slowly cut it with a working tool.

Manual Tile Cutter

To perform this type of procedure, you need to purchase a special mosaic tile cutting tool. That instrument allows you to perform the score and snap procedure.

All you need to do during the procedure is:

  1. Put the tile on the table and mark the cut line;
  2. After that, you should run the cutter along the marked line while slightly pressing on the tile;
  3. Then, you should press the breaker against the tile, completely breaking it into the desired pieces.

One of the key benefits of using such a tool is that the edges of the tile will remain as sharp as possible, while with a diamond saw, the edges of the tile can become partially polished and opaque.

Wet Saw

Using the wet saw is the best way to cut mosaic tiles of both glass and ceramic types, as it makes clean cuts and leaves no visible marks. The cost of the cheapest saw can start from a hundred dollars, but being frugal in doing this procedure is not a good thing. It’s way easier to rent a high-quality instrument for a day and do the job well.

So, cutting mosaic tile sheets with a wet saw is simple:

  1. Draw the cut line using a pencil or an erasable marker;
  2. Place the tile on the work surface so that the cut line is exactly under the saw blade;
  3. Turn on the working tool and let the blade get wet;
  4. After holding on both sides, insert the tile into the blade and slowly cut it. It is important not to rush and not to press hard on the material, as at the end of the procedure, it can crack if you do it wrong;
  5. Complete the procedure, and turn off the saw and the water supply.

Tile Nippers

You can also cut small mosaic tiles with tile nippers. To do this, take the tile and fix it in the blades of the wire cutters, then make sure that it is held diagonally and aligned with the cutting edges. After that, you can press hard so the tile is cut correctly.

Tile Pliers

Cutting glass mosaic tile with wire cutters is as easy as cutting with other tools. The pliers can cut the tile either fully or partially, allowing you to make round or uneven cuts on the tile. You can buy pliers at any hardware store or order them from a supplier for mosaics and stained glass work.

Pliers will also be a great tool to help you achieve your goal. The method of cutting tiles with it is similar to a manual glass cutter, as both tools are arranged similarly.

You need to:

  1. Mark the cut line on the front side of the material with a marker or pencil;
  2. Place the tile on the work surface;
  3. While holding the material with one hand, cut the mosaic tile sheet along the line using the tool;
  4. Put the decoration in the jaws of the pliers and squeeze it;
  5. If necessary, you can smoothen the edges with a grinding stone.

The Cutters

Working with wire cutters is very simple:

  • Place the decoration between the wheels of your tool;
  • Squeeze the handles of the wire cutters.

It is also essential to be careful while working with this tool, as excessive pressure on the material can shatter it into pieces. But this tool is quite handy when cutting small mosaic tiles.

FAQ

What if I broke my tile while cutting it?

To avoid this mistake, you should gently press the tile. Following this approach, you will never break your material again.

What instruments are the best for cutting mosaic tiles?

The best instruments are the diamond saw and the wet saw. They provide the most effective and safest cutting of your tiles.

How much does it cost to cut mosaic tiles?

It depends. If you have the instrument, it’s free. If you don’t own it, you can rent it or buy a new one. The cost ranges from 100 dollars to thousands.

What is the best tool for making the cutting line?

The best tool for that is a permanent marker or just a pencil. It’s easy to clean and fix mistakes if you make them.