One of the most satisfying aspects of home renovations is laying down the tiles. It’s always fun to take on the challenge myself, but I must admit, cutting tiles without breaking them is tricky, so having the right tools and technique is essential.
And if you’re like me and don’t have a tile saw on hand, you might be curious: can you use a circular saw to cut tiles? Let me dive into that for you!
Is it Possible to Use a Circular Saw for Tile Cutting?
Yes, you can use a circular saw to cut tile and various types of materials, such as those used for flooring and countertops. If used properly, circular saws can tackle thicker surfaces made of stone.
Cutting tile with a circular saw is possible as long as you make sure you have the proper equipment and safety modifications.
While it might appear like a no-brainer, most stonework and tile projects require a water component. This is to avoid shallow cuts and cut successfully.
This component can help decrease friction, cool the saw blade, and create a precise and cleaner cut.
Although circular saws were never designed for cutting tile, you can still use them to cut through a few types. Just a couple of easy adjustments can make your circular saw into a wet saw.
Kinds of Tiles You Can Cut Using a Circular Saw
There are several types of tile you can cut with a circular saw, which are:
- Natural stone tiles
- Porcelain tile
- Concrete tiles
- Mosaic tile or glass tiles
- Slate tile
- Granite tiles
How About Ceramic Tiles?
While you can also cut ceramic tile using your circular saw, it requires meticulous and careful attention. That said, I wouldn’t really recommend using a circular saw for ceramic tiles. From my experience, if you’re aiming to cut ceramic tiles, it’s best to stick with a wet tile saw for optimal results.
Can You Cut Without Chipping?
Of course, you can cut without chipping, depending on your technique and skill. However, circular saws are power tools that are motor-powered, running at high speed once started. This means you might end up with a chip on your tile during the process.
Cutting tiles with a chip would surely be a disaster. But if you use the right blade for the right tile with the proper technique, making accurate cuts is easily achievable without chipping. Also, before you start trimming, you’ll need to ensure that the saw blade you use has enough teeth.
The more teeth the saw blade has, the better it will be able to cut the tile without getting damaged. This is because the more teeth, there’s less space between them, reducing the chance of chipping. However, a word of caution: if the blade gets dull, it can sometimes lead to issues. So, always keep an eye on the blade’s sharpness.
Best Circular Saw Blades for Tile Cutting
Type of Blade
If you’re planning on using a circular saw to cut hard materials such as stones (marble and granite) and tiles, you will need to replace your current wood blade with a diamond-coated blade.
No ifs nor buts; this is what you need to do if you want to use your circular saw for cutting tiles or stones.
What’s tricky here is there are so many different types of diamond blades that it can be hard to pick the one that’s right for your project. The various kinds of diamond-coated blades include:
- Continuous diamond blades
- Segmented diamond blades
- Wet diamond blades
These are all designed for different applications. Which one is right for your task depends on the type of material that you’re trimming.
Size of the Diamond Blade
If you have a circular saw, you might have a 71/4-inch blade, the most common type of circular saw blade. However, you may also use the 5 1/2 -inch, 6 1/2-inch, or 10 1/4-inch circular saw blades.
To make tile cutting successful, you’ll need to use the appropriate blade size for your wet circular saw.
But take note – the most commonly used blades for tile cutting are not always the same sizes as those used for other types of saws. For instance, there might not be able to a diamond tile-cutting blade for 7 ¼-inch circular saw.
So, check the availability of blades for your saw before you proceed with your cutting tile project.
Although it’s generally possible to get away with a smaller blade, you should never go bigger than that. A smaller blade will allow you to cut a bit deeper, and it will also change the cutting depth of your saw.
Factors to Consider for Wet or Dry Cutting
Tile Material
When choosing a blade for cutting tile, opt for the one that will work well with the material that you’re planning on using. For instance, if you’re planning on cutting porcelain, choose a diamond blade that will work with that type of tile, like ones for a tile cutter, tile saw, or wet saw.
Continuous Rim Blade
A continuous rim diamond blade is ideal for minimizing the amount of chip buildup on your tile. However, this can limit your wet-cutting applications.
How to Cut Tile Using a Circular Saw
Wet Cutting Method
The wet saw method’s primary goal is to keep the blade cool while trimming. This method works by using a water pump to cool the blade of the saw to cut tile. Here’s how:
Step #1: Measure and Draw on the Tile
Before you cut tiles, to mark and measure the cut line first. I usually use a pen or pencil for this. Once the cut is done, simply wipe away the markings. It’s a simple step, but it makes a huge difference in accuracy.
Step #2: Have the Water Prepared
If there’s no water pump available, you can use a bucket of cool water to prevent the blade from getting too hot, or you can water with a garden hose. I suggest having someone assist you in this step.
Step #3: Start Cutting
Now you can start cutting. Make sure to trim as soon as the water flows through the tile. This will allow the saw to lead the way in the cutting process – applying very little pressure to your tile.
Step #4: Polish the Cuts if Necessary
After you have cut the tile, turn off your saw. You can do this by pressing a button on its handle or turning its switch to the OFF position.
Then finish up by polishing the cuts to get rid of all the debris and dust that has accumulated on your job site.
Safety Reminder: While using a circular saw to cut tile allows quicker cutting and minimizes the risk of damaging the special tile blade, this method can also be prone to electrocution. Another alternative is to use the dry-cut method, which I will explain next.
Pros of Wet Cutting
- Little dust for an easy cleaning process
- Less prone to overheating
- Smooth and accurate cuts
Cons of Wet Cutting
- Hazardous in wet conditions
- You can be prone to electrical shock
- Can damage you saw (when water comes inside the motor)
Dry Cutting Method
If the wet-cutting method is risky for you, do the dry-cutting process. One important factor to remember when using the dry-cut method is to slow down and steady.
Before you start trimming tile, make sure that the blade you choose is made for this process. Like with wet saws, certain specifications are required for this type of cutting.
Step #1: Measure and Draw on the Tile
The first step in the process is to ensure that the tile is clearly marked. Doing this is no different from other cutting jobs.
Step #2: Use Safety Equipment
Whenever I tackle cutting projects, safety gear is non-negotiable. But when it comes to the dry-cutting method, I especially make sure to wear a respirator mask and safety glasses [1]. They’re crucial in handling the crystalline silica dust that’s released during the process.
Step #3: Start Cutting
The cutting speed can be the biggest difference between the dry cut method and the conventional approach. When you opt for the dry-cutting method, you must go very slowly and cut in short sections.
This is to prevent the blade from overheating, which can pose various risks to you and the tile.
Step #4: Polish the Cuts if Necessary
Finally, after cutting, make sure to polish the cuts. If you’re unsatisfied with how your tile is cut, try using an angle grinder to smooth it. This tool, which also has a diamond masonry blade, can help smoothen the tile’s edges.
Pros of Dry Cutting
- Reduced risk of electrical shock
- No need for more materials
- Portability
Cons of Dry Cutting
- Time-consuming
- Messy workspace due to lots of dust
- Prone to chipping
Best Tool Alternative: Wet Tile Saws
Wet tile saws are a type of circular saw that’s commonly used for cutting tile or other hard materials like stones. You can connect this type of saw to a hose to cool the blade while cutting.
It’s also ideal for cutting larger pieces of tile or stone that are difficult to haul onto a wettable saw.
Also, wet tile saws are very mobile and are commonly used by tile setters and home improvement enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to use for accurate and straight cuts.
You’ll need a jig or guide rail system for this. In addition, they’re prone to blade kickbacks and if you’re a beginner, I’d advise caution
FAQ
What other tools can I use to cut tiles without using a tile saw?
You can use other power tools to cut tile or various materials without using a tile saw. The saws include the stationary tile saw, tabletop tile saw, sliding table tile saw, and a bridge tile saw. Miter saws are not recommended.
Also Read: Best Tools For Removing Tiles
What blade should I use for ceramic tile?
You will need a tungsten carbide blade to cut a ceramic tile. You can also use a diamond or a standard tile blade for the job.
Will carbide blades cut through the tile?
Yes, carbide blades can cut tile with a circular saw. It can even cut porcelain tile and ceramic tile. However, it needs to be run at a slow pace to ensure a smooth cutting tile process.
Which tile type is more difficult to cut, ceramic or porcelain?
Porcelain tiles are more challenging to cut compared with ceramic tiles. You need more power to cut porcelain tiles compared to ceramic ones.
Conclusion
While you can cut tile with a circular saw, it’s not the best tile cutter tool. Using a circular saw is more of a workaround if you don’t have a wet saw on hand, which is really the best tool for cutting tile.
What’s good about circular saws is there are two ways to cut tile: the wet and dry cutting methods. However, both routes require patience, teamwork, and some adjustments. Additionally, ensure you use the right blade specifically designed for the type of saw and materials you’ll use.
You've probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
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