how to cut natural stone tile & why you need a pro

how to cut stone tile like a pro

if you’re wondering how to cut stone tile, we have some important news: whether you’re cutting mosaic tile for a wall or field tiles for a floor, it’s a more complicated process than you might think. beyond requiring an expansive array of tools — and special knowledge about natural stone itself — cutting stone tile is a nuanced process. it involves careful setup, even more careful cutting, and (you guessed it) careful inspection after the cutting is over.

required tools and safety gear

before a professional begins cutting stone tile, they must have a (rather large) arsenal of tools and safety gear on hand.

first, of course, is the wet saw. a wet saw has a diamond-encrusted blade that’s designed to cut through hard materials like natural stone. this type of saw uses water to cool and lubricate the blade. the result: a clean cut with minimal dust.

a contractor might also use a handheld angle grinder, along with tile nippers for curved cuts. then, there are the measuring tools, clamps, polishing pads, and sandpaper. and that’s not to mention all the safety gear involved, such as gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask.

measuring and marking the tile

measuring and marking tile is, in itself, an intricate process. even a minor error in measurement can lead to misaligned tiles and uneven gaps, especially in areas where tiles must fit around fixtures, edges, or corners. you also have to account for the grout lines between the tiles.

measuring and marking tile becomes even more complicated when that tile is made of natural stone. the reason: you have the veining — and the direction of that veining — to consider.

setting up the cutting equipment

before cutting natural stone tile, a professional must always ensure that they are working in a well ventilated environment. the work area must also be well lit, without any obstructions close by.

then they must set up the saw itself. this involves choosing the correct blade for the tile, inspecting the blade’s condition, positioning the saw on a level surface, filling the water reservoir, adjusting the blade height, and checking the saw alignment. (out of breath? us too.)

cutting the tile

cutting natural stone tile requires careful nuance. the right installer will understand how to double-check measurements and inspect the tile before cutting. (any cracks or imperfections could negatively affect the cut.) then, the installer must position the tile, aligning the marked cut line with the saw blade.

cutting the tile is a practice of many techniques at once — holding the tile firmly, supporting larger tile on both sides if needed, and maintaining alignment, for example. it’s also important to push slowly and let the saw do the work.

finishing and smoothing the edges

the cut isn’t the final step here. after the cut, one must inspect the tile for any chips and imperfections, using sandpaper to smooth the edge if needed. (this is second nature to an experienced contractor, of course.) it’s also important to clean down the tile and remove any excess water — and confirm the fit of the tile in place, if possible.

common challenges in cutting natural stone tile

the innate characteristics that make natural stone tile so beautiful also make it difficult to cut. its veining, textural variations, subtleties in density — they all contribute to the overall success of the cut. whether you have your eye on honed marble or tumbled travertine tile, here are some of the most common challenges to cutting stone tile.

ensuring precision cuts

natural stone tile comes with all sorts of variations in texture, density, and hardness. these variations can cause the blade to catch, veer off course, or create uneven cuts. the tile itself can also crack or break during cutting. in a nutshell: it’s difficult to predict how the stone will behave.

achieving perfect edges and finishes

the same qualities also make it difficult to achieve precise edges with natural stone. while durable, it is more prone to cracking and chipping during the cutting process. it’s also easy to over-polish or under-polish the edges of natural stone tile.

avoiding damage to tiles and equipment

avoiding damage to stone tiles (and the equipment involved) requires extensive background in all of the above: setting up the equipment properly, measuring the tile, marking the tile, aligning the tile just right, holding the tile firmly, and so on. this is all careful work that only an experienced contractor has a proper sense of.

why cutting stone tile is best left to the pros

natural stone tile is, well, exactly that — natural. and because it’s natural, it can be somewhat unpredictable. some stones like slate and marble are on the softer side, while others like travertine and limestone are on the harder side. and because stone tile has formed (quite literally) over millions of years, there are no hard and fast rules.

cutting any natural stone tile requires having an in-depth understanding of the material itself. beyond understanding a stone’s hardness, you also have to consider the irregularities of the stone that can cause it to break unpredictably. the edges of stone can chip easily, as well — a problem when one of your primary goals in cutting stone tile is to protect the stone. this type of tile can also be cumbersome to handle, especially if it’s larger in size.

the hidden costs of diy

keep in mind that proper tile cutting is only one part of a successful tile installation. so, even if you do know how to cut stone tile, there may very well be other aspects of the installation that are out of reach.

let’s say you’re installing natural stone tile on a shower floor. stone tile in the bathroom is more susceptible to damage from substances like soap and hard water. it can also encounter rusting or warping down the road due to improper drainage. then, there’s the sealing and resealing to consider.

an experienced contractor understands not only how to cut and set tile but also how to prepare (and finish) a space for a successful installation. simply put: partnering with a skilled professional is the best way to ensure you’ll enjoy your tile for many years.

how to find a qualified tile installer

all of this begs the question you are likely already asking: how, then, do i choose a tile contractor? your tile installation is, after all, only as good as your installer. and sometimes, not even a veteran installer can successfully handle the type of tile you have in mind for your space.

our advice: look for a contractor who has intimate knowledge and handmade and artisanal tile. this kind of contractor understands the many variations tile can possess, then factors them into the equation (rather than blaming those variations for an incorrect install). it also helps to see examples of their past work — and request references from former clients.

a few more signs to look for? a qualified tile installer will order the correct amount of tile, create realistic mockup boards, make educated grout recommendations, and understand the importance of blending the tile before setting it.