Glass tile is an elegant and stylish option for tiling bathrooms or kitchens. It’s also ideal for small DIY projects.
Glass tile is not only beautiful but also has a remarkable durability and resistance to bacteria, staining, mildew and other harmful substances.
While a wet saw, also known as a tile saw, is the tool of choice for professionals to cut glass tile, its typically not the best option for most homeowners and DIYers.
It might seem slow and unwieldy at first, but learning how to cut glass tile without a wet saw is not only far more affordable but also produces surprisingly clean cuts with minimal breakage.
After reading this guide, you will feel confident cutting glass tile with a handsaw or a saw without the need for a wet saw.
Safety First!
Cut glass tile can be very sharp! We dont want you to get hurt during this project.
So, make sure to don the appropriate safety gear before diving in. When it comes to cutting glass tile, the most important safety equipment are sturdy gloves and eye protection.
You should also take the time to prepare your work area. It is important to prepare your work area before you begin cutting glass tiles with a manual cutter. This can cause dust and shards to form.
The cloth will collect the excess pieces of glass tile, making cleanup at the end of the project that much easier. It also prevents the work surface from scratching the tile.
Step 1: Prepare Tiles And Cutter
Start by marking and measuring all tiles.
You can actually set most manual tile cutters to cut a certain size if all of the tiles will be cut to the same measurements.
To release the cutting blade’s pressure, lift the handle of your cutter. This will allow you to slide the tile in the device.
Slide the tile into the device with the backside facing up. In other words, the scoring blade will first come into contact with the back of the tile.
Make sure that the tile is pressed firmly against the fence of the cutter to ensure that it doesnt move around during the cut.
Step 2: Install The Tile
Now, use the scoring wheel to run the scoring blade across the back of the tile.
To create a breaking point, you will typically need to move the scoring wheel over the tile at least twice or three times.
Remember that you dont want to cut through the tile with the scoring wheel. This is to make the area weaker for the next cut.
Running the scoring wheel over the tile more than two or three times can actually weaken the tile too much, causing cracks and chipping.
Step 3: Apply Pressure To Cut
The majority of manual tile cutters come with the scoring wheel and separate pressure pad that can be controlled by the main handle.
After scoring the tile, press down the handle to lower the pressure pad onto it.
The pressure pad will fall approximately in the middle of the tile (don’t worry if it doesn’t touch the scored area).
Firmly press down on the handle (without applying too much force). The pressure of the pressure pad will split the tile in half.
Although it may seem odd, a manual tile cutter can actually cut a tile piece in half instead of cutting.
For Curved Cuts Use A Tile Nipper
You can only use a manual tile cutter to make straight cuts.
If you need to make circular or angled cuts on your glass tile, then a tile nipper is the best manual tool to use.
A tile nipper is a simple, handheld tool. You simply use them to break off small pieces of the tile in a controlled fashion until you achieve the desired shape.
Remember to always start at the corners, never in the middle of the tile. Keep removing excess material. Do not rush, take your time and avoid cracks and other damages.
A tile nipper is like most other tools. There’s a learning curve before it can be used effectively. Don’t worry if your first few tiles don’t turn out as you expected.
Final Thoughts
The fastest and most efficient way to cut glass tile is with a wet saw.
But its also the most expensive. And the vast majority of homeowners and casual DIYers just dont need to invest in a designated tile saw for their project.
Fortunately, its simple to learn how to cut glass tile without a wet saw. The best tools are a manual tile cutter or tile nippers.
