How to Cut Tiles for Commercial Flooring 

15th Aug 2024 -

Cutting commercial flooring tiles with accuracy and precision is an important skill to deliver high-quality results. This feature guides you through the techniques and tools needed to master commercial floor tile cutting. From tile cutter equipment to cutting methods, we explore best practices to help you improve your skills. 

• How to Measure Commercial Floor Tiles Before Cutting
• Best Ways to Cut Floor Tiles
• Common Issues With Cutting Floor Tiles
• Shop Commercial Flooring Tiles for All Spaces

How to Measure Commercial Floor Tiles Before Cutting

Accurate measurement is key for successful tile installation in commercial spaces. Proper measuring techniques minimise waste, reduce errors and secure a professional finish. Here are the top tips for measuring different types of commercial flooring tiles for cutting.

Tile type	Measurement tips
Ceramic and porcelain tiles	- Measure for centrelines to create balanced quadrants (4 equal sections) - Account for grout lines (typically 3-4mm) - Plan for full tiles in focal points like entryways
Natural stone tiles	- Allow for size variations between tiles  - Consider veining (vein-like patterns or streaks) and patterns for visual flow - Mark tile backs to maintain orientation
LVT and vinyl flooring tiles	- Acclimate tiles before measuring (at least 24 hours) - Account for interlocking in edge cut measurements - Dry fit tiles to understand the locking system's effect on dimensions
Terrazzo tiles	- Plan cuts to minimise moving heavy pieces - Consider smaller tile sizes for complex layouts - Account for thickness in transitions to other flooring types
Glass tiles	- Use a digital caliper for small tiles - Plan cuts so edges are less visible in the final installation
Carpet tiles	- Account for pile direction in the layout - Plan for pattern alignment across the floor

Best Ways to Cut Floor Tiles

Advanced cutting techniques improve the quality of tile installation, reduce waste and allow for more intricate designs. Below are the advanced techniques for cutting different commercial flooring tiles, including how to cut tiles without a tile cutter.

How to cut porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles

a) Plunge cutting: Use a wet saw with a plunge-cutting feature or a handheld angle grinder with a diamond blade. Mark the cut line, then slowly lower the blade into the tile at the starting point. Guide the tool along the line, maintaining consistent pressure. This allows for precise interior cuts without cutting from the edge of the tile.

b) 45-degree mitre cuts: For this technique, use a wet saw with an adjustable mitre gauge or a mitre saw. Set the mitre gauge to 45 degrees, align the tile and cut. For perfect corners, cut 2 tiles at opposing 45-degree angles. This creates seamless corners for wall-to-floor transitions or decorative borders. 

c) Hole cutting with diamond core bits: Use a drill with diamond core bits of various sizes. Mark the centre of the hole, apply water continuously and drill at a low speed with steady pressure. It creates clean, precise holes for pipes or other circular penetrations without damaging the surrounding tile.

How to cut natural stone tiles

a) Waterjet cutting: A waterjet cutting machine uses high-pressure water mixed with abrasive particles. Adjust the desired cut pattern and let it execute the cut. This allows for intricate, complex cuts and designs without generating heat, preventing thermal stress on the stone.

b) Bridge saw cutting: Use a bridge saw, which features a movable cutting head on a stationary table. Secure the stone tile to the table, adjust the cut and let the machine execute it. It provides extremely precise straight or angled cuts, ideal for large-format stone tiles or custom shapes.

c) Rodding and laminating: Cut channels in the back of the stone, insert thin reinforcing rods and fill with epoxy resin. Cut channels using a router or computer numerical control (CNC) machine. This strengthens the stone for complex cuts, reducing the risk of breakage during cutting and installation.

How to cut LVT flooring and vinyl tiles

a) Heat cutting: A heat gun softens the vinyl, then cut with a sharp utility knife. Apply heat along the cut line to soften the material, then cut with a knife guided by a straight edge. It produces cleaner cuts with less risk of tearing or deforming the tile, especially useful for curves.

b) Scribing: A scribing tool transfers irregular shapes onto the tile for cutting. Place the tile in position, use the scribing tool to trace the irregular shape and cut along the scribed line. This allows for precise fitting around irregular obstacles or walls, ensuring a professional finish.

How to cut terrazzo tiles

a) CNC machining: With a CNC machine for cutting and shaping terrazzo tiles. Adjust the desired cut or design into the CNC machine for it to cut with precision. It allows for highly complex and repeatable cuts, ideal for creating intricate patterns or logos in commercial flooring.

b) Wet grinding: Use a variable speed wet grinder with diamond pads of increasing grit. After cutting, progressively work through finer grits of diamond pads to smooth and polish the cut edge. This achieves a finished edge that matches the polished tile surface. 

How to cut glass tiles

a) Ring saw cutting: A ring saw has a circular blade with diamonds on both the inner and outer edges. Guide the tile through the saw blade, which remains stationary, allowing for precise curved cuts. It enables intricate, curved cuts in glass tiles without cracking. 

b) Ultrasonic cutting: An ultrasonic cutter vibrates at high frequencies to cut through glass. Set the desired cut pattern and let the machine execute it while keeping the glass cool with a water mist. This creates precise cuts with minimal stress on the glass. 

How to cut carpet tiles

a) Die cutting: Use a hydraulic die cutting machine with custom-made dies. Place the carpet tile under the die and apply pressure to cut through the tile. Die cutting allows for rapid, identical cuts of complex shapes, ideal for creating repeating patterns.

b) Hot knife cutting: An electric hot knife is designed for synthetic fabrics. Heat the knife and carefully guide it along the cut line, at the same time cutting and sealing the edge. It prevents fraying of cut edges, particularly useful for custom shapes.

Common Issues with Cutting Floor Tiles

Cutting commercial flooring tiles accurately is key during installation. However, each type of tile presents unique challenges. Below, we detail the common issues with cutting different types of commercial flooring tiles and solutions to address them.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles

• Chipping and cracking along cut edges.
  Solution: Use a wet saw with a diamond tile cutting blade designed for porcelain. Score the tile first with a glass cutter, then cut slowly and steadily. For intricate cuts, use a manual tile cutter for small pieces.
• Difficulty making precise curved cuts.
  Solution: A tile saw with a removable cutting table allows freehand cutting. For tight curves, make a series of parallel cuts up to the curve line. Use tile nippers to remove small sections.

Natural stone tiles

• Uneven cuts because of the varying density within the stone.
  Solution: Use a wet saw with a continuous-rim diamond blade. Cut slowly and steadily, allowing the blade to do the work without forcing it.
• Chipping on the underside of marble tiles.
  Solution: Place masking tape along the cut line on both sides of the tile to minimise chipping. Cut from the back of the tile when possible.

LVT and vinyl flooring tiles

• Melting or warping of the tile during cutting because of heat generated by friction. Solution: Use a utility knife or vinyl tile cutters for straight cuts. For curved cuts, use tin snips or heavy-duty scissors. Avoid using power tools that generate heat.
• Inaccurate cuts due to the flexibility of the material.
  Solution: Use a straight edge as a guide. Make multiple light passes with a utility knife rather than trying to cut through in one go.

Terrazzo tiles

• Chipping and cracking because of its composite nature.
  Solution: Cut slowly and steadily with a wet saw diamond blade to avoid putting excessive stress on the tile.
• Difficulty achieving smooth edges on cut tiles.
  Solution: After cutting, use diamond polishing pads to smooth and polish the cut edge to match the tile's surface.

Glass tiles

• Chipping and cracking because these tiles are brittle.
  Solution: Cut slowly using a wet saw with a diamond blade and apply minimal pressure. For straight cuts on thinner glass tiles, a manual score-and-snap cutter is effective.

Carpet tiles

• Fraying edges when cutting.
  Solution: Use a sharp utility knife or carpet cutter. Cut from the back of the tile and use a straight edge as a guide. Make cuts in a single, smooth motion to limit fraying.
• Difficulty cutting through the dense backing material.
  Solution: Use a carpet tile cutter designed for commercial-grade tiles. For intricate cuts, use a utility knife with replaceable blades, changing them frequently to maintain sharpness.